Well, the Texas High School Football Playoffs are in full swing, the Cowboys are making a serious run at the playoffs, and everybody is talking pigskin, pigskin, pigskin, and I couldn't care less.
I spent the afternoon with my son and some of his high school baseball team teammates in a local college batting cage. I threw until my arm was aching and sweat was pouring down my face (about 5 minutes ) and I was very happy. My son was the proud recipient this week of a new bamboo wood bat that has a lot of pop, and he rocketed a bunch right back up the middle at me. (Check out Mad Dog Bamboo Bats at www.maddogbats.com - an unsolicited testimonial from a satisfied customer.) The "crack" of the bat is SO much more satisfying than the "ping" of the bat. He and his teammates threw, we worked on some first-base drills for a new kid who is a lefty and wants to learn to play first, and we pitched off the indoor mound for a few pitches. We stared longingly at the verdant outfield; alas, we have been told to stay off the new winter rye for a while longer.
I took my Rawlings GGP-200-4 with the modified trap web. The ball settled into my hand solidly with a pleasant smack on each throw I caught. The glove is conforming nicely to my hand; I am now a huge fan of the Gold Glove series.
Everybody hit and threw to their hearts' content, and afterwards I took them all to Sonic for cherry-lime slushes. Only then did a silly argument about football break out in the backseat; the new kid had to gloat a little about Texas Tech - he is a big fan.
What a wonderful day ... They are all looking forward to next Sunday, and so am I! I think I'll take my customized OR520 Dale Murphy ... or maybe the 12" R7 that still needs breaking in ... or maybe ...