Catch, Anyone?
Frank Miller, aged 74, from Dallas, Texas, was itching to throw a baseball again early this month. He’d pitched in high school and college and recently read a book on pitching that had rewhetted his appetite. But who to pitch to?
His wife Alice stepped in. She put up a post on Nextdoor, the neighborhood app. It read like this: “My 74 year old husband would like to have a partner to throw the ball with. He is a former high school and college pitcher and is looking for a catcher or someone who knows how to throw a baseball. He is in good shape and loves baseball.”
They had no idea what to expect. And then the responses began rolling in. Nearly 80, in fact, and a date, time, and place was set for meeting. It appeared that a chord had been struck.
On the appointed day Frank took a new glove, a year-old Christmas gift barely used; four new baseballs; two old baseballs; and a 60-year-old catcher’s mitt bought that many decades ago and patched that very morning with Gorilla Glue.
Three dozen people showed up, among them a bearded 32-year-old, three high school boys, a 73-year-old who hadn’t thrown in 35 years, and a 26-year-old urged to be there by his mother. They threw for an hour, decades separating several of the partnered pairs. Frank and his new friend totaled, between them, 147 years in age. No spring chickens, these two.
Connections were made and promises to meet again were extended. A new date was set. Everyone was glad they attended.
I was touched by the story. I played some serious fastpitch softball at one time, and will never forget those days, the emotions evoked, the friends I made. I won’t forget the endless hours of catch I played with my dad and others, but mostly my dad. Or the development and progress of my pitching abilities under his tutelage. He himself had been a catcher as a younger man and possessed some considerable pitching knowledge as well.
And I love the idea of what this guy did: he chose a special interest of his and invited others to join him in celebrating and enjoying it. It did two things for me: it reminded me of what’s possible, even in (maybe especially in) difficult circumstances; and it got me hungering to get my own glove and ball out and begin doing some throwing.
Others are lonely like you are. Others have interests similar to your own. Many are not fully occupied at present – they’re retired, between jobs, waiting for a job or school to start up again, and so on – and are available. Maybe we should be considering how we might get our own needs met and others’ into the bargain. We’re not getting any younger and neither are they. If not now, when?
Anyone up for a game of catch?
6 Comments
Beth
Another great read and message. Sometimes it just takes an invitation.
ckarlstrom
Yes, you never know! Thank you, Beth!!
Trudie
Oh wow! This really spoke to me! When I was in Florida, my 2 Grand children, ages 11 and 13, invited me to activities I haven’t done in sometime! One of them was my 13-year-old granddaughter, who asked if I wanted to play catch…. I used to play baseball, but it was a long time ago! So we went out to the garage and she showed me a few gloves to pick from, and we took off and played catch for about an hour! I would catch the ball but then it would drop right at my feet and I blamed it on the glove being too big and stiff LOL We also had Some great conversation! Actually, it brought back sweet memories and I felt kind of young again! The same when we went bicycling,, played tennis (I couldn’t believe I served it well and did better than I ever thought I would!), And spent a lot of time walking around the lakes and beautiful areas of Florida.I don’t believe I would’ve been able to do a lot of these activities if I hadn’t I exercised three times a week at home. I believe you’re right; There are a lot of lonely people andit just takes an invitation! Now I can just find a friendly horse I can ride bike in my youth🤗 Your blogs just really stir my mind and heart, Carolyn. The spark interest in things that are old and new.♥️🌹♥️
Carolyn Karlstrom
Oh, Trudie, I remember you mentioned playing catch while you were down there and then it left my mind! Those times are special, aren’t they? The conversation that take place during that kind of activity are priceless. I sure appreciate your sharing your thoughts – thank you!
Sherri
I can’t believe you were a pitcher back in the day! That’s really something I never would have guessed about you…I guess in my mind I see you sitting, curled up on a window seat, with a book in your lap. I’m sure you did that, too, besides being on the pitching mound! Anyway, I was never good with anything involving a ball. Therefore, I couldn’t join you on the field. But if you lived a whole lot closer, I’d invite you to go to a few dance classes with me!
ckarlstrom
Well, yes, I most certainly was frequently curled up with a book also! But, oh, did I love my softball!! Still miss it. Every spring I get itchy to be out on the field. I so appreciate your having read this and for your comments. Dance classes, eh?!?!