Weather permitting, the local recreational baseball season will get under way Monday night.
There's no better place to be on a spring evening than the Blytheville Youth Sportsplex. The atmosphere is second to none.
I relish the ball park smells and the sight of fans crowding around each field, cheering on their favorite little ball players. I enjoy seeing the overflowing parking lot and community members having a good time socializing together.
While some groups appear bent on racially dividing the community, the only color that matters at the ball field is the one on the uniform. It doesn't matter what one's politics are, only that he or she supports the team and shows good sportsmanship in doing so.
The ball field offers an escape from the day-to-day grind and a chance to focus one's attention on his or her children/grandchildren/nieces/nephews, who will experience ups and downs, victories and defeats, big hits and strikeouts.
Some of the children need that escape as much as adults because they've been forced to deal with some difficult situations at home.
On the ball field, they can be a kid. They can joke with teammates, chant in chorus to distract the batter and just have fun playing a game they enjoy. The children form new friendships and learn life lessons in the process.
They are also fortunate to play on some of the best youth fields in the state. While the Sportsplex may be showing its age in some areas, the fields are still in excellent condition, thanks to Larry Morris and his crew.
Since 2002, local children from ages 4 to 19 have been enjoying that handiwork.
Participation has grown every single year. In 2002 BBSB had approximately 450 participants. The number swelled to 684 by 2007 and the figure was 719 in 2011. Not counting the high school league and American Legion, there are 571 signed up thus far, according to Randy Scott of the Blytheville Baseball Softball Boosters. A summer high school girl's softball league is in the works as well, with six teams signed up. The boy's summer high school league will be back again this year. Officials expect the numbers to be up again this year.
It's great to see the program continue to get better and better, year in and year out. BBSB has done an outstanding job each season, giving young people something to do during the spring, summer and even the fall.
A lot of hard work goes into making the program a success, and hat's off to all those involved in providing those opportunities to the area youth.
My 9-year-old son, Parker, is in his sixth season of playing ball at the Sportsplex, beginning at tee-ball and now entering his first year of live-arm pitching.
He looks forward to ball season every year, and I enjoy watching him play, just as many other parents will echo about their little ball player.
I think we're all anxious to hear the umpire yell, "Play ball!"
mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com