There’s a billboard beyond the left centerfield wall at DuBois’ Showers Field that rotates between local business advertisements.
Every few turns, it flashes the famous Yogi Berra quote: “It ain’t over till it’s over.” Ever the philosopher, Berra –– the late Yankees catcher who spent nearly his entire adult life around the diamond in some form –– is arguably just as famous for his zany and head-scratching sayings as he was for his 13 championships as an energetic player, coach and manager.
Baseball has seen its fair share of criticism in recent years, whether that be from delayed action against known steroid abusers or just delayed action –– the games take too long! –– in America’s pastime.
As a bus load of fans from tiny Shinglehouse arrived at Showers Field to cheer on their beloved Oswayo Valley team in the first round of the state tournament on Tuesday afternoon, an exciting game was halted due to a driving rain –– with more dark clouds on the way –– that had supporters searching for cover and ensuring the game would be anything but a timely affair.
And then the boys of summer –– school has been out of session at OV since Thursday –– took it upon themselves to make baseball fun again. The Green Wave engaged Union in a friendly game of tic-tac-toe, using just a spare batting practice ball, a marker and boredom.
Teen boys, boredom and a possible projectile normally don’t go well together, but as the delay continued and the teams came up with more creative ways to toss the ball back and forth, the fans who remained in their seats below the backstop awning were witnesses to quite the show. (Cat took the first game, if you were wondering.)
After Union returned the ball from their first-base dugout the way one might hurl a grenade over the shoulder –– I’m no firearms technique expert, but the form actually more resembled the way Kareem might shoot a skyhook for the Showtime Lakers –– the Oswayo Valley bat boy trotted out toward the infield only to fall over unexpectedly.
Next thing those in attendance knew, Green Wave catcher Jacob Karr was “performing” CPR and the first casualty of the Great Rain Delay of 2017 was carried off by teammates to safety. Naturally, a wild applause ensued.
Oswayo Valley formally gave up the fight by waving the white flag, except it was actually a black gym bag hanging from the barrel of a bat.
Mind you, the rain never stopped through all of this.
The point?
Sports are meant to be enjoyable. That sentiment was echoed by Oswayo Valley head coach Brad Buchholz after the Green Wave won 8-3 in yet another record-setting performance, this time being the school’s first-ever state playoff win.
“They had a ball,” Buchholz said. “It is still high school baseball and it is about fun.”
While Union and its underclassmen-laden team prepared for the long trip back to New Castle after the loss, Green Wave players flashed smiles and posed for photos in the parking lot.
Sports should fun. Oswayo Valley and Union reminded the crowd of that Tuesday afternoon, in case anyone watching forgot why athletes take the field in the first place.
To quote Yogi again, you truly can observe a lot by just watching.
