But those were the days when no one’s parents ever drove them anywhere and we played on a vacant lot using pieces of cardboard for bases. Seems to me some of us shared our gloves and for sure only a couple kids brought bats.

Today, parents shlepp their kid’s everywhere and there’s no end to the $$s some will spend ensuring little Jill or Johnney has the best equipment, lessons and “playing experience”. And are the ball fields by you posted with “no trespassing” signs as they are by me.

Ironic, isn’t it? With all the organization, attention and expense, betcha’ there’s only a few kids in the country today that have as much fun just playing as we had playing for free.

All we need are more open fields (if not ball fields) where “trespassing” is encouraged. Kids will come (if their parents will let them). Wonder if other kids now playing organized ball would like to play pick-up games. Or here’s a thought – what about fathers (and mothers) too? It would be so much fun to get the parents out of the stands and onto the ball field. OK, it would be so much fun for ME to get out of the stands and play a little ball with my son.