It's baseball season

Batter up. Steeeerike. Batter's out. Take your base. Safe. I'm going to the concession stand, need anything?

Yep, it's baseball season and these are some of the familiar expressions you hear as a spectator at these games.

Austin is a member of the Sioux Central baseball team. I wonder, why, oh, why do they even make white pants for baseball players?

Austin has always been one of those baseball players that has enjoyed sliding in - even if it was not necessary - just to do it. There have been plenty of ground in stains already this year and just as soon as I get those pants half white again, he goes and slides in again.

I am not a yeller. Does that really do any good - to tell the players, especially those who are playing so far in the outfield that they look like pin heads or what they need to be doing to improve their game? It is doubtful that they can hear anything that is being said from the stands and the ones that are close enough to hear what's being said, don't want to hear their moms yelling - that's embarassing for goodness sake. Let the coaches do the yelling.

And there are those that disagree with calls made by the umpires and aren't afraid to voice their opinions. I may think it sometimes but don't share my words of wisdom.

The concession stands at the ball fields always get my attention; who can resist when the wind brings the aroma of fresh popcorn and grilled items right to us. I can't resist the popcorn but usually find it to be much too salty to finish a bag and it never fails that when I make the trek to the concession stand with my taste buds screaming for a certain item from the grill that they say, "Sorry, all out right now. Come back later." So I settle on something else that I don't really want (or need) and have crabby taste buds to deal with the rest of the game.

I like baseball and understand most of the rules and that's a good thing because my husband hates when I have to interrupt him and ask why something was done (like I do during football games.)

I looked up baseball terms and was surprised to see so many that are used by the Major League. These are a few of my favorites - maybe I'll start using them to really impress the people around me:

* Baltimore chop - A ground ball that hits in front of home plate (or off of it) and takes a large hop over the infielder's head.

* can of corn - An easy catch by a fielder.

* cheese - Also "good cheese." Refers to a good fastball.

* chin music - A pitch that is high and inside.

* circus catch - An outstanding catch by a fielder.

* fireman - A team's closer or late-inning relief pitcher.

* gopher ball - A pitch hit for a home run, as in "go for."

* meatball - An easy pitch to hit, usually right down the middle of the plate.

* moon shot - A very long, high home run.

* pea - A ball traveling at high speed, either batted or thrown.

* tater - A home run.

* Uncle Charlie - Curve ball.

* whiff - Strikeout.