Yachats Oregon Writer Rick Schultze

Wow, it’s mid-summer already? Apparently so as I’m about to watch the Major Leagues 80^th All Star Baseball Game with President Obama throwing out the first pitch in St. Louis. The game is traditionally played in mid-summer in the middle of the baseball season.

All Star games or Mid-Summer classics, not to be confused with Shakespeare’s classic romantic comedy Mid-Summer Night Dreams; do actually have one thing in common. They are often dreams come true for baseball or softball players. It’s an affirmation of their ability to be among the elite players in their leagues. Tonight the big boys or “boys of summer” as they are called, will be battling it out in a baseball game but here on the Central Oregon Coast from Waldport to Florence baseball and softball players of all ages and skill sets are setting their sights on making the all star teams in their leagues. It’s an exciting feeling making an all star team for the first time and it’s a select few who do, so making it is even more special. True to form some of the Major League players in this years all star game have made all star teams since their early days in baseball or softball. They are the talented ones who continue to grow in skills and confidence enough to reach the Major Leagues where you definitely need both. You’ll notice those types of players at all levels. They just have that “it”, the term given to special athletes yet nobody can put their finger on just what “it” is!

When I go to the ball fields in Waldport over the course of the school baseball and softball games during season and all the summer ball games I see players, fans and parents all totally into the games. It’s the same in Florence and it’s wonderful to see. It’s a time in the players and their supporters’ lives that they will carry in their memories all their lives. There is nothing like a team coming from nowhere to become the league champion, nothing like having you or one of your teammates make it to the all star game and do well. It’s a bonding experience for all involved including the coaches who in amateur baseball and softball devote countless hours working with players.

Of course in the Major Leagues it’s different. These players are professional baseball players and are used to excelling. Even the players on the Portland Beavers Triple-A baseball team that are playing in that leagues all star game at Civic Stadium are talented ball players. In time many from that league will graduate up to the Major League but you can bet they got their starts in towns like Waldport, Florence’s and others that are baseball and softball friendly and have lots of community support.

I don’t like to think that summer is half over, but on the bright side it’s been a great summer for lots of ballgames so far with more to come!

If you have a chance catch a ball game near you and enjoy watching the ball players giving it their all, it’s refreshing to see!!

To reach Rick Schultze email: yarick@pioneer.net