Opening day for little league baseball in Pennsylvania was always the first Saturday in April. There would be an opening day ceremony on the field followed by the first games of the season. Prior to the games would be team pictures and other festivities. Let’s just say this day was never as pleasant as it would sound. The first Saturday morning in April in central Pennsylvania consisted of one of two things rain or snow. It was always so frigid, and you could feel it right down to your bones. I never looked forward to this day and was always happy when it was canceled due to snow or ice.
The first part of the season was never much better than opening day. I remember many games sitting on the bleachers watching a game in the middle of snow showers. At times it was so white you couldn’t see the white ball in the midst of all the snow. By the time the ump decided to call the game, both my son and I were soaked and frozen. Nothing about this was enjoyable. It didn’t get to be my idea of baseball weather until the end of May.
As I’m writing this, I’m at my son’s first practice of the season in South Carolina. It’s mid-March in Aiken and the weather is sunny and 65 degrees out. The sun is nearly down for the day and the lights turn on. My son is up to bat, the pitch comes in, he swings, and you hear the crack of the bat. This right here is what it’s all about and what my idea of baseball weather should be. As my son and I are getting to know his new team, we are looking forward to many nights of baseball in our new hometown.
southerninthemaking.com 