sports

I've been a sports fan for quite some time now, probably since about 1945 when I was a freshman in high school. I started listening to Cub games on the radio as there was no such thing as television at that time (sounds weird doesn't it). I played some sports in high school, tried football and didn't see the sense of being knocked around, so quite. I played basketball in grade and high school, quite a bit in high school, and wasn't too bad at it.

But baseball, and softball, were my best sports for playing and watching. I pitched fast pitch softball for about 20 years or so, starting in Arthur, IL with our church softball team, and eventually playing in a tough-nosed league in Morton, IL at the ripe old age of 40. That last stint didn't go too well, but at least I found out I could still play. I think though that baseball was what I really wanted to play, and the only time I had that opportunity was at Hesston College when I pitched for the varsity team. In high school we didn't have baseball and the only opportunity then was a teenage baseball league in the summer, which I was not allowed to play in because they played on Sunday afternoon, and that was not allowed in my family.

After the arrival of television I finally was able to watch my favorite sport once in awhile. It wasn't until after I was married that I finally was able to go to Wrigley Field in Chicago and watch the Cubs play. What a beautiful sight that was to me! I became hooked for good after being able to go to Wrigley for a few games.

As time went along I was able to see more games on TV but mostly needed to be a fan just by keeping up reading about the Cubs in the papers. When we moved to New York City I was told that I would need to become a Mets fan. How disgusting of an idea! The Mets were not liked in Chicago because they put the Cubs out of the playoffs in 1969. Good Cub fans remember that, so no way was I going to become a Mets fan. I did go to Shea stadium while living in NYC as it was only about a 30 minute walk from our home, but I only went when the Cubs were in town.

Now in 2008 I'm still a Cub fan. And no world series title since 1908! That's the year Granny Mast was born, believe it or not. But this year's the year! It would make a real nice 100th anniversary gift to all the fans who have been faithful for many, many years. I have gone to Phoenix several times to watch the Cubs in spring training, but I guess that won't happen this year. I will need to purchase the MLB extra innings package again this year if I want to see many Cubs games, which I would like to do.

Well that's my sports blog. I have always needed to put sports in its proper place in my life, because while it is important to me, my first and foremost commitment is to the Lord Who has saved and redeemed me and given me the hope of life with Him eternally. That's what really brings me the inner joy and peace that other things like sports aren't able to do. And so I remain -

Pilgrim on the way