Chapter 160
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10/28/2007
Little League in a Small Town
Capturing the Drama
Little League in a Small Town (video):
This little leaguer was hero for a day (and perhaps in his mind for a lifetime) getting a grand slam game winner for his Virgil team. I happened to be there as an out of town visitor now with a camera to recapture some of my youth. On this same ball field 47 years earlier as a freshman, I hit a home run for my high school team (14 in my Senior graduating class). I never hit another during high school, but I remember that moment and I still have a love for the value of sports and still participate. To participate is to enjoy, it's not the home runs.
I hope to have captured one small element of small town life here. The Van Gorder hog farmers were among the crowd (of 7) giving support to their grandson. You can easily hear Pete's voice offering advice and encouragement. I believe my Dad pitched for the high school on this same field in the 30's and I certainly remember him attending some of our games as well as neighbor Pete. In a small town there is a large sense of closeness.