A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....03-13-07....Baseball ~ and the dreams of little boys..

Billie; Diver Dave | March 13, 2007 | Diver Dave

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Dutchess, DollyCali, GodBlessUSA, Aquamarine ~

Spring is just around the corner. While some areas of the country are still buried in snow, around these parts,the hyancinths are in bloom, and the almond trees up the road are beginning to blossom.

Elsewhere, The Boys of Spring are taking their places at Spring Training Camps preparing for another season of America's Pastime - Baseball. Baseball writers are filing their stories with the hometown newspapers and The Sporting News is publishing everything you could want to know about baseball.

Unlikely to appear in any of the sports publications at the newsstands is a personal account of baseball. Grab a hot dog, a soda and some Cracker Jacks, sit back and relax while our story unfolds.

But first, Our National Anthem...

The following takes place at 0darkThirty-Five.... but I need to lay down a bit of background.

In my yute I was a rabid baseball fan of the Spokane Indians baseball team. The Indians at that time were the AAA farm team of the Los Angeles Dodgers and I watched the heroes of my yute as often as I could get to the ballpark. A lot of those players went on to play in the Majors and later still went into coaching both big league and minor league teams.

Two such heroes were "Diamond" Jim Gentile and Frank Howard - two power hitting first basemen who played the game back in the late fifties and early sixties.

Now, on to our story.......

I was sound asleep enjoying one my dreams in living color and stereo sound. One of the heroes of my yute came to town for a personal appearance. Included in this appearance was a power-hitting demonstration. I can't say for sure which hero it was, but it was a power hitter.

His demonstation was that he would smash baseballs over a building and we fans, who were scattered about the large grassy area on the other side of the building would scramble to snag those homerun balls with the promise of an autograph after the demonstration by our hero.

One such ball came in my direction. It dropped to the ground about five feet in front and to the right of my position with a "Thud" when it hit the soft ground just a few inches from a chain-link fence. It bounced up about a foot and then dropped again to the ground. Without giving a second thought, I dove for the ball. In that split-second moment, as I descended on that ball, I could see the red stitching and the words "Pacific Coast League" stamped into that off-white horsehide. I could hear the thundering feet of other would-be souvenier seekers approaching, but that ball would be mine because I was closest to it. Then........

BAM!!!

I awakend abruptly to the sound and pain of my head crashing into the wall beside the bed. I was jammed into the corner where the cedar chest sets beside the bed. My legs still rest comfortably on the bed. My upper body was jammed up at a wierd angle. My torso is resting on Bailey, our Golden Retriever, and I'm stuck in that awkward position. I moan loudly, "Help Me!" Noone comes to help. Mrsdd has already left for work. Bailey's no help cuz I'm partially laying on him. Jack, our other dog, comes around the bed to see what's going on.

Finally able to move - very slowly and painfully I might add - I climb back up into bed and go back to sleep til the alarm goes of a few short minutes later.

As much as I hate to hear the alarm go off in the morning, I think I prefer its sound versus my head and the wall "Bam".

Once the sleepy haze leaves my body and I'm able to see and think a bit clearer, I discover my neck hurts and I have a small laceration on my hip where it contacted the corner of the cedar chest in my pursuit of that prized baseball. The dream ended so abruptly, I don't know if I was successful in my quest or if someone else got the ball.

A new day also reveals a deep bruise on my hip - Ouch!

Sleep tight y'all and may you have many pleasant dreams.

Play Ball!!!

01-09-07 ~ Hall of Fame #18

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 03-12-07 Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[Billie]

[Billie]

[hsalaw]

Baseball is the only sport I've ever followed. My late husband and I went to almost all of the major league ballparks after he retired (including Montreal in 2000), and were Giants season ticketholders. Loved it. It's the only sport not controlled by time, so it has its own rhythm and flow, and you can actually talk with your companions during the game. My original baseball hero was Bob Feller, of the Cleveland Indians (I grew up in northern Ohio). The baseball players of those days joined the military to defend their country during WWII, as the late great Pat Tillman did in this present war.

I loved baseball and I respect and honor our brave military. Thank you for this thread.

[Diver Dave]

Outstanding job with the graphics, Billie, and that pledge is awesome.

[Billie]

hsalaw,

I'm so glad you like today's thread, and am sure Dave will be here to take a bow a little later. He's one of our Finest guest writers, and we have come to depend on getting a great essay every few months from him!

Sandman's calling me now, but I'll be back in a few hours. Thanks for coming!

[Billie]

Well, thank you! I was answering first post, and said you'd be here later, but you're here sooner than later. :)

Glad you like it, Dave - I'll see in after 9 in the morning. Nite!

[Billie]

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to

Billie; Dutchess; DollyCali; The Mayor; GodBlessUSA; Aquamarine,
and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

gator girl........................husband severa............husband, brother Maigrey.........................cousin mystery-ak...........son, husband Inspectorette.......................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew Diver Dave........niece, nephew ConspiracyGuy........2 nephews Pippin............niece's husband sneakers..........................son weldgophardline.................son weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw jamaly.................brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater.......cousin WaterDragon............grandson WaterDragon...........son-in-law kimmie7......................brother LadyX (RIP)..............grandson fawn796......................nephew ValerieUSA..................2 sons Lakeside......................2 sons LakeLady....................nephew Spruce......................daughter Bykrbayb..........................son Leofl.................................son chena...............................son Hope and Glory..................son TheMayor...............friends'son Doug from Upland.......soninlaw homeschoolmama........nephew ariamne...................2 cousins mhking.........................cousin 911angelady.................2 sons Consort.................2 daughters Consort...................son-in-law gonzo...................friend's son Jen's Mom.................daughter Meg33......................grandson cookcounty......................son JFC............................nephew visualops......................cousin auboy..........................cousin painter........................nephew Himyar.............................son jrushing.............................son LoneRedRanger...brother-in-law Ladysmith.nephew, friend's son tina07......soninlaw & his friend MontanaCowgirlCop......brother nelibeli........................nephew Misty4jc.....................husband Colorado Slim..............nephew Tapatio....................2 nephews ProudAFDad......................son JulieRNR21.....friend's grandson Alouette.............................son Katydidnt...........................son Zechariah_8_13....brother-in-law Zechariah_8_13.............cousin PreviouslyA-Lurker........brother sheeza.......................husband kemathen7..................husband Q6-God..................twin brother Q6-God....................active duty Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne..........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty bkwells....................active duty LongCut...................active duty cjk...........................active duty Trish........................active duty ODC-GIRL................active duty AF_Blue...................active duty thumperusn..............active duty Veloxherc.................active duty Don Simmons...........active duty wingnutx...................active duty CGblue.....................active duty bigghurtt...................active duty frankiep....................active duty veeceeque................active duty JRios1968................active duty NoLongerFreeState...active duty CMS........................active duty AlaskaErik...............active duty JemiansTerror...........active duty tongue-tied ..............active duty txradioguy................active duty Hoosiersailor ...........active duty

OhioWfan................................son ladtx..................................2 sons Its_me_K.E.T.........................son Hostel............................cousin MozartLover...........son, nephew ak_daddoo........................nephew Dubya............................nephew LBGA (RIP)..........................son katykelly..............................son Armymarinemom................3 sons american_ranger.....................son SpookBrat........................nephew SpookBrat........................cousin boxerblues........................2 sons the piper..............................son Tiffee4Bob......................boyfriend TexKat.......................son, step-son StarCMC.............................brother Darheel...............................niece Donaeus...........................nephew BeAllYouCanBe........................son Repubmommy........................brother AgThorn................................2 sons kneezles.................................son RoseinRoseBear.....cousin's hubby Atomic Conspiracy......half-brother Atomic Conspiracy...........nephew Atomic Conspiracy..............niece Sunflowergal....................grandson mrstank..............................husband MrsMike31........................husband spotbust1............................husband campfollower............................fiance LUV W........................................son SilentServiceCPOWife........husband DirtyHarryY2K......................daughter DirtyHarryY2K................son-in-law Skimask.....................................son Palladin...............................grandson MississippyMuddy...................sister MississippyMuddy........2 nephews Kramster...............................stepson Socratic.............................nephew freema.......................nephew, son Azbushgal..............................son kimmykay.................................son NavySEAL F-16........................son repubmom...............................son wolfcreek..........................daughter JesseJane ...........................cousin Roses0508..............................son pmmd81..................................son SoldiersPrayingMom.................son WakeUpandVote..................brother Skyraider.................................son CyberAnt...........................nephew mrs tiggywinkle...................cousin Nadine...............................nephew U S Army EOD.................daughter thehumanlynx...........brother-in-law Earthdweller......................nephew Scubachick.......................husband ChairmanDec19thSociety ..brotherinlaw Anthem............................2 cousins meanie monster .........family friend PragmaticWarrior..........2 nephews Sageb1...........................3 cousins SuzyQue...mom,2 sons,3 brothers weeder1...........................nephew IndyPendance..daughter,soninlaw fatima.....................granddaughter Lori from Long Island....soninlaw monkeyface...................grandson redhead...................grandnephew gonzo............................soninlaw varina davis...................grandson Rivendell.......................daughter W.W.Smith...........................son vigilante2.....son, adopted soldier NavySEAL F-16....................son Jaxter...........................son-in-law USMCWife6869..............husband AgThorn & Lily4Jesus.............son 2ndDivisionVet..........brotherinlaw 2ndDivVet.....former stepdaughter GrandEagle........................friend DebWisconsin.................nephew jackv....................................son prophetic.................brotherinlaw GulfWar1Vet.................2 cousins Tina Kirby...........................son

[GodBlessUSA]

Good Morning Beautiful thread. What a gorgeous pledge!!

I really enjoyed reading this. Ouch!!! For all your troubles DD, you had to of got the ball in the end of your dream. You have to believe that for all your injuries ;). My daughter woke up on the floor last week. I wonder what she was dreaming about :)

Yesterday, I was headed home and saw a few ball players practicing in ball uniforms. I love this time of year. I remember when my son was in Little League. We had a great time. My daughter played for a year too. Great Memories!!

[The Mayor]

March 13, 2007

Who Says What’s Right?

ODB RADIO: Listen Now | Download

READ: Romans 2:12-16

Gentiles, who do not have the law, . . . show the work of the law written in their hearts. —Romans 2:14-15

People who reject absolute standards of right and wrong are often inconsistent. When they think they are being treated unfairly, they appeal to a standard of justice that they expect everyone to adhere to.

A philosophy professor began each new term by asking his class, “Do you believe it can be shown that there are absolute values like justice?” The free-thinking students all argued that everything is relative and no single law can be applied universally. Before the end of the semester, the professor devoted one class period to debate the issue. At the end, he concluded, “Regardless of what you think, I want you to know that absolute values can be demonstrated. And if you don’t accept what I say, I’ll flunk you!” One angry student got up and insisted, “That’s not fair!” “You’ve just proved my point,” replied the professor. “You’ve appealed to a higher standard of fairness.”

God has given everyone a conscience to tell right from wrong (Rom. 2:14-15), and His moral standards are written in the Bible. Every time we use the words good and bad, we imply a standard by which we make such judgments. Biblical values are true for any age, because they originate with an eternal, unchanging God.

God has not left us in the dark
About what’s wrong or right,
For through His works and in His Word
His Spirit gives us light.  —D. De Haan

Only God has the right to define what’s wrong.

Bible in One Year:   Deuteronomy 20-22; Mark 13:21-37

[The Mayor]

Great job... Did you have the ball when you untangled yourself? : )

[MEG33]

OUCH!
I only dreamed of hitting a homer!

~Good Morning To The Finest~

[The Mayor]

Morning Meg... Good post : )

[MEG33]

Thank you..I had to do some fast remembering on "how to"..LOL

[jaycee]

Great pledge.....wonderful thread!

[DollyCali]

what a delightful thread you two fun people

great story & of course you have the best to illustrate it Dave.. Billie the layout, graphics, colors... all are outstanding.

LOVE THE FUNNY PLEDGE...

thank you both.. on way out to 4 appts & then dog walk .. busy day & DO want to get in a short bike outing as the temps will be creeping up to 60 today..

[Texagirl4W]

Oh Billie. What a beautiful tribute to the great game of baseball. I can't wait for opening day. The Rangers play their first home game on 4/6. That's Good Friday and a holiday for me. Can't wait.

I also love basketball and the Dallas Mavericks. They lost last night after winning 17 straight, a team record. The Mavs and Rangers' games will overlap at the beginning of April. I'll have to TIVO one and watch the other.

Have a great day (((Billie))).

[luvie]

Cute ("borrowed" your baseball! LOL!) I know absolutely nothing about baseball...and truth be told, don't need to.

Is it the beginning of the season or something?


~JOHN FOGERTY~
CENTERFIELD

[MEG33]

*Thank you, Diver Dave and Billie*
for a fun essay and lovely presentation

[MEG33]

My son's family are great Ranger fans,too.

[Billie]

Morning, GeeBee - thank you for your compliment. :) Always have more fun doing illustrations and layout - always a treat when someone else 'writes' my posts! :)