Look--Up in the Sky!

Five Contrails
Severn, MD
April 7, 2021

 A couple days ago I wrote about the blue, clear sky. Last evening at a baseball game for the Severn Seminoles, I experienced the blue clear sky under the lights as twilight deepened. I looked up and saw a reassuring sight--five contrails headed into the distance. 

Travel is definitely resuming as out society and economy struggles to overcome the pandemic. I was out at game, under the lights, trying to resume life. The major remembrance of the pandemic was that I had to wear facial covering even though I was both outside and practicing good physical distancing. 

I do not remember the last time that I saw five contrails lined up together. I do know that lately, air travel has been increasing. The steady stream of arriving and departing flights to or from BWI has become evident from my house. 

MLB AL East Standing
Through Games of April 7, 2021

And in other cool news. The MLB season is one week old today. Most teams have played six games. AMAZINGLY, guess which team is alone atop the AL East? And the Orioles have still not played a game at OPACY. Opening Day at home is today and sadly, I will not be attending. 

It is Friday Eve and I am looking forward to a good day. I will keep my eye on the sky and watch some baseball as well. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Let the Mowing Begin

After the First Mowing of the Year
Elkridge, MD
April 3, 2021

 The first mowing of the year happened yesterday. In advance of the annual Easter egg Hunt, I revved-up the tractor and mowed the weeds. The grass was at a good height, but the weeds were getting a bit too tall. And the mower also removed the last bits of winter debris from the lawn.

It was good to be outside doing work and enjoying the sunlight of the just a bit too cool day. I also managed to rearrange the shed to find a spot for the snow thrower--it has a great place to enjoy until it is again needed next season.

AL East Standings
Games through April 3, 2021

And writing of seasons--guess which team is alone atop the AL East of the MLB? Yes, the Orioles. Although unlikely to remain there long, it is good to see the Birds atop one of the toughest divisions in baseball. The Orioles are already exceeding expectations, they have been at or above .500 for two days!

It seems prophetic, almost, the O's atop the AL East and my mowing season beginning. Spring has truly arrived and hope springs eternal. 

I also want to wish everyone a Happy Easter. It is because of Easter that we have hope.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

 

AL East after Games of April 1, 2021

Baseball has arrived. 

Well, except for the Orioles whose season opener was delayed until today. But, in so doing, the Orioles have a half-game lead over the Yankees! 

I am excited about the baseball season, not because I believe that the Orioles will be in the playoffs, that is unlikely. But, because fans are being allowed into the stadiums and by the end of the season, hopefully, there will not be any restrictions on the crowd size. 

My prediction, which I gave earlier but will repeat here, is that the Orioles finish 75-87. That would be a good season and position them for a strong season next year.

I remember, in olden times, that the first place I would turn when reading the morning newspaper was to the sports section to check the baseball scores and standings. In some way, I long for those times again. Now, I only see a newspaper on Sunday and lately it has been unreadable due to being soaked through by the rain. 

But baseball is back! Take me out to the ballgame.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Saturday is Gone

Jax Leading off 3rd Base
Severn, MD
March 20, 2021

It was the First Saturday of Springtime. And what a day it was. 

Another near-normal Saturday is in the books. 

There was shopping and busy-ness during the morning. I even cleared a blockage in a drain. And then baseball to help enjoy the warm sun during the afternoon followed by a great dinner and evening at home with Patrick and Jen.

As the second sunrise of springtime happened this morning, I was again cheered by the blue sky and the golden hues as the sunlight crept down the tall and bare trees. I know that soon the trees will again be green.

The baseball game was very enjoyable even though Jax's team lost. They made it exciting at the end and while Jax's pitching wasn't as effective as last week, he made up for that at the plate where he went 2 for 2 with an RBI and he scored a run.

I am enjoying Saturdays again. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Jax at the Plate

Jax at the Plate
Kinder Farm Park
March 13, 2021

The slow, lurching progress towards normalcy took a big step forward yesterday. I did something that I did not do last Spring and that was to attend a youth baseball game. I was supposed to coach a a team that was planning to attend a tournament in Cooperstown.

COVID canceled the season and the tournament. 

Yesterday, Chris and I attended a youth baseball game during the Springtime! We had been to a few Fall-ball games during September and October, but Spring is when the games get serious.

It was a cool, but beautiful Spring day. I know that spring does not officially begin until next Saturday, but yesterday felt like Spring had already arrived. It was a nice day for a baseball game. Yes, there were face masks and physical distancing--but nonetheless, it was Springtime baseball. 

Life is returning, slowly and cautiously.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Baseball is Almost Back!

The winter of my discontent is nearly over. It appears that baseball will be back on time. 

Spring training in Sarasota for the Orioles is about to begin. Pitchers and catchers report on February 16th. But even better, the one player that the Orioles missed last year has already reported to camp-- Trey Mancini! Recovering from colon cancer, Trey appears ready to hit the field and be the team leader.

Covid has changed baseball. Doubleheaders will now be seven inning games and extra innings will start with a runner on second. I fear that the era 19 inning games is over. Baseball has become to commercialized to allow giving away free games as extra inning affairs.

Here is the big news: Opening Day is April 1st. Pushing back the start of the season has been dropped.

Take me out to the ball park--I hope.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

A Normal Saturday Returns

 

Chris and I enjoyed a more normal, BC* Saturday this past weekend. 

Ready at the Plate
Loch Haven Park, Maryland
September 19, 2020

We went to and enjoyed an autumn youth league baseball game. It was a clear, crisp, cold autumn morning with temperatures in the 40s as we woke and in the 50s at game time. We drove to the game, which had a 10:00 AM first pitch time looking forward to being back at a baseball field watching our grandson play ball.

Getting the Sign
Loch Haven Park, Maryland
September 19, 2020

We dressed warmly, but not warmly enough--I needed to get into the sun every half-inning to absorb enough warmth to enjoy the game as we were seated in the shade. I could have chosen to move to a sunny spot, but we were between the dugout and home plate on the first base side of the field right at the fence. It was a great position to watch the game that I used to coach.

The game started late and went the full two hours ending about 12:30 PM. It was a great escape from the news of the day which caused me to enjoy the outing even more. Jax had a frustrating day at the plate but pitched three solid innings allowing one earned run and throwing only 44 pitches. 

After the game, it was time to work around the house and enjoy the sunny, yet cool, day outside. I mowed the lawn and tended to some other minor projects ending the day, as Chris and I do, enjoying a glass of wine chatting about life, the future, and dreaming a bit about times to come while mindful of things past.  

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

*Note: BC is Before COVID

Baseball Resumes

Jax Pitching for Severn
Severn, MD
August 24, 2020

Last evening I attended my first youth baseball game of the year! It was an event that was supposed to have happened during March, but which was delayed due to coronavirus. 

Jax Finishing a Pitch
Severn, MD
August 24, 2020

Much has changed since March. I am no longer coaching and Jax has moved to a 13U Team and is now playing for Severn, in a red uniform. The game last evening was a scrimmage and Jax had a good night. The 90 foot bases and longer distance to the mound really changed things. It slows the running game down a lot. 

It felt strange to be watching the game from off the field rather than participating in the game from the dugout and third base. But, that is what the game is about growing up and playing at higher levels. 

Last evening's game caused me to think back to the winter workouts that our team had getting ready for a Spring season that was canceled due to coronavirus. So many lost innings. It hurt the development of all of the players not to have the season and I could see it in some of the players last night. 

The game had some drama last night. There was an infield fly that resulted in two outs with a runner caught stealing. There were a few dropped and misplayed balls, unfortunately during the inning that Jax pitched, which resulted in the game being lost although there were no earned runs scored. 

It was good to be out under the lights watching live baseball. If only they could do something about the bugs! But that is a story for another time.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Covid Timeout: Baseball

It is back!

Baseball--America's pastime, has returned. There were two games last evening and the Orioles take the field tonight in Boston to begin their 60 game Covid-19 shortened season. 

The Lightening Bolt that Effectively Ended the Game
Yankees vs Nationals
July 23, 2020

Last evening I watched the Yankees defeat the Nationals 4-1. I did not realize it when I went to bed during the 6th inning rain delay, but I watched the entire game. It was weird watching the game with the stands empty. 

In the other Opening Day game the Dodgers defeated the Giants 8-1. 

I am excited that the Orioles have returned, but a few of the rising stars are sidelined for tonight's game, one of them, Trey Mancini, will likely be out for the season although the Orioles placed him on the 60 day Injured Reserve. 

Here is my prediction for the young 2020 Orioles. 

I believe they will surprise people, but they are playing the toughest schedule in baseball against their own American League East Division with the Yankees and the Rays and against the National League East which has the defending World Series Champions and the Braves (who won the division last year) as marquee teams. I was impressed with the Baby Birds during Spring Training--but that was February, they went 3-0-1 during my trip to Florida. I believe the Orioles will finish 21-39, .350. That would be an improvement over the 54-108, .333 finish they posted last season. 

Let's Go O's!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Baseball Returns

It is back again in the news, hidden in the depths of the sports pages and web sites. 

Baseball! 

Major League Baseball (MLB) is creeping back onto the national stage. 

America's pastime.

Ed Smith Stadium
Sarasota, Florida
February 29, 2020

There is a schedule of three Spring Training (why aren't they calling it Summer Training?) today. Hidden inside the schedule of intrasquad games there are real baseball games between the Pirates and the Indians, the Mets and the Yankees, and the Phillies and the Nationals. 

Fans at Spectrum Field
Clearwater, Florida
March 1, 2020

I am lucky to have gone to Spring Training, the real Spring Training during late-February and viewed real baseball games with fans! And beer! And hamburgers!

It will be very different knowing that there are no fans in the park. Empty cavernous stadiums--it is a sad thought.

But, baseball is returning and the Orioles are traveling to the Phillies tomorrow for a game! 

I definitely need the diversion.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Loss of the Season

Coronavirus related losses are mounting; affecting every aspect of life. 

While many of us are mourning the loss of professional sports, the impact on youth and high school sports is even more devastating. Entire seasons have been canceled and opportunities to improve skills through on-field competition are being lost. 

Moonrise over GORC Park
Odenton, MD
March 9. 2020

The GORC 12U baseball team that I was assisting is losing its season and while there are hopes that a season may be reconstituted during June and July, the original April 25 date for restart has come and gone with only rumor and conjecture regarding the future. The pinnacle tournament of the season was to occur in Cooperstown, NY, during late June--but that was an early victim of the coronavirus. 

A month-and-a-half ago on March 9th, the team had its first outdoors practice after working out all winter in an indoors facility. I snapped this image of the moon rising over the field feeling full of hope and excitement as the reality of the upcoming season was finally coming to fruition. The lights were on and we were practicing baseball. I wrote about the optimism of the moment in a post titled, The Moon Rises.   Little did I know as I wrote that blog that it would be the only outdoors practice in which I would participate and that coronavirus would soon cancel almost everything. 

But, it is not a total loss, yet. There is still hope for baseball, despite the daily evidence to the contrary. 

Time will tell--we will adapt and survive.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Opening Day 2020, Not!

Yesterday was the originally planned opening day for Major League Baseball's (MLB) Baltimore Orioles and most of the league. 

Why do I get so excited about Spring and baseball?

Rogers Hornsby, a baseball star from a century ago said it best when it comes to the return of baseball.

“People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball,” Hornsby once said. “I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.”  
-- From the New York Times article It’s Opening Day. Baseball Is Closed.

People who know me know that I, similar to Rogers Hornsby, look out the window during the winter and wait for spring. Why? Because spring is when baseball begins again, and in truth it begins before spring in Florida and Arizona with Spring Training games. I am more fortunate than many MLB fans because I was lucky enough to attend four Spring Training games in Florida during February before the season stopped and then delayed. 

Orioles Game on TV to Celebrate Opening Day
Game from June 7, 2017
March 26, 2020

Of course, the real MLB opening day will now likely be in June, but I decided to enjoy yesterday as if it were Opening Day. I wore my Orioles jersey to work along with the cap I bought at Spring Training and my Orioles jacket. I was not the only person who similarly attempted to infuse some springtime cheer into those around me. During the day I imagined when I would be going to Camden Yards and reveling with the crowd--yes, a real baseball crowd not adhering to social distancing, and then enjoying my first beer of the baseball season. Chris also got into the spirit of the day. When I got home she had a ballpark dinner planned and we enjoyed sitting on the back deck in the full sun talking about Opening Days past and reveling in the warmth dressed in our best ballpark clothes. Oh yes, and there were adult beverages served as well. 

Trey Mancini

Once we came inside, we joined the broadcast of an Orioles game classic on MASN, from June 7, 2017. The game went 11 innings and the Orioles scored 4 runs in the bottom of the 9th to tie the game--the two that tied the game were powered by a homer from Trey Mancini. The Orioles went on to win the game in the bottom of the 11th on a walk-off homer from Trey Mancini. It was good to see all of my favorite old Orioles who are no longer with the team while watching my favorite new Orioles player. Sadly, only four players from that team remain: Trey Mancini, Richard Bleier, Mychal Givens and Chris Davis. All four of these players appeared in this game. 

But hey, it was Opening Day, in my mind, and the Orioles won! What could be better?

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Moon Rises

Moon Rise
Odenton, MD
March 9, 2020

The moon rose over Odenton last evening as our baseball team enjoyed perfect weather and conducted its first outdoors practice of the season. The lights of the field illuminated the players and the practice field while the moon rose in the distance. 

It was good to have practice outside and prepare the upcoming season. The team had been practicing at an indoors facility since January. Being outside again we had the room to accomplish drills and distance throwing that we could not at the indoor facility. The infield is under renovation, so we were confined to the outfield, but we still managed to have a very productive practice. Monday practices promise to be interesting as they do not begin until 7:30 PM. I have to admit that it was nice not to face rush hour traffic to arrive to practice. It was a much more enjoyable drive and took the normal amount of time to traverse the distance from Elkridge to Odenton.

The boys worked hard, but the rising moon was the highlight of the evening for me. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Who Are Those Guys?

After returning from Spring Training, it dawned upon me that I have not provided an assessment of the Orioles based upon my observations of the team.

I saw the Orioles play three games, in person, while I was in Florida and I have to admit that I was impressed with the team. They won all of the games and they displayed some real grit and played solid baseball. The hitting was impressive and the pitching was solid. 

Yes, I was impressed with Chris Davis--who has knocked in three homers, struck out only once, walked six times and is batting .556. Wow! But others on the team are equally as impressive at the plate. Ruiz (.611) and Santander (.412) are equally as impressive at the plate.

As a team, the Orioles are among the leaders in all of baseball at this juncture--I never saw this coming. Here are some of the team stats:

Batting Average - 2nd (.288)
Stolen Bases - 2nd (14)
Slugging - 3rd (.468)
Doubles - 2nd (26)
Homeruns - 6th (14)
Extra Base Hits - 1st (44)
Runs - 3rd (73)

There is some good hitting on display right now! It was fun to watch. 

From a pitching perspective, they are much more middle of the road--but still effective. They have given up a lot on tuns in two games, which have raised the Earned Run Average, but overall they are in the top half of the league and hear the top in most pitching statistics. 

Yes, it is only Spring Training, but I am excited about the upcoming season and I have tickets to Opening Day on March 26th when the Orioles will face the team from the North whose name shall remain unwritten!

Let's Go O's!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Baseball and Sun

New Atlanta Braves Stadium
Venice, Florida
February 27, 2020

And so it begins. The first day of the Spring Training trip was a success. Even the weather cleared to make the day spectacular. The morning clouds gave was to clear sunny skies. It was cool, but comfortable.

We visited the new Braves facility in Venice and saw a game between them and the Cardinals. You might think that that is not an Orioles game, and that is true, but two former Orioles played. Nick Markakis plays for the Braves and hit a double. Matt Wieters catches for the Cardinals and went hitless.

Today is a golf and baseball day. Golf tee time is 7:14.

Baseball is later in the day.

Day two is off and running.

— Bob Doan, writing from Sarasota, Florida

A Series for the Ages

This World Series is a one of a kind. The last time the home team did not win through six games was--never! This is the first time that it has happened like this in all of the World Series that have been played. Tonight is the concluding game seven with no wins thus far at home for either team.


An ESPN writer puts it this way: No team has won a World Series without winning a home game, but several teams have won Games 6 and 7 on the road: the 1926 Cardinals, 1934 Cardinals, 1952 Yankees, 1958 Yankees, 1968 Tigers, 1979 Pirates and 2016 Cubs. The Nationals will look to make a unique kind of history in Game 7, while the Astros will try to cement their legacy as an all-time great team. 

Matt Kelly at MLB.com wrote:

The Nationals’ season-saving 7-2 victory over the Astros in Game 6 on Tuesday night made road teams a perfect 6-0 in this year’s Fall Classic. It’s the first World Series in which the road team has won each of the first six games, and it’s also the first time in 1,420 best-of-seven postseason series across MLB, NBA and NHL in which the road team has won each of the first six contests.

And then of course, last night's game had the controversy with the runner being called out for interference running to First Base. There needs to be some drama in every World Series. 

Personal Trivia


One year ago today, I completed my 16th of 44 radiation treatments for prostate cancer. Wow! What a difference a year makes. I have had two follow-ups with the radiation oncologist since completing the treatments and everything seems great!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The Tournament

The Team Between Games
Hummelstown, PA
October 26, 2019

The team played in its first tournament yesterday. I must confess, there is a special excitement about playing in a tournament and meeting other high caliber teams. Our team is making the jump from being a recreational league team to becoming a travel team. Every time we play, the boys get better and see what is expected of them as they play at a higher level.

Jax and Jack Chilling at the Hotel
Hummelstown, PA
October 26, 2019

While the outcomes of the games are still not what the team desires, there are more and more positives that we can focus upon coming out of every outing. Sadly, the Sunday game got canceled because they believed that they were going to win that game decisively based upon the strong performance in the second game yesterday. The boys are gelling as a team and it is truly sad that the season ends next week--with a doubleheader on Sunday. 

Singing Cars
Hershey's Chocolate World
Hershey, PA
October 26, 2019

It was fun to get out of town to a tournament and spend the weekend with the boys and their families in a hotel. I truly hope that we can play in more tournaments next year to get the boys ready for the weeklong Cooperstown Tournament that we will be playing during late-June 2020. 

Chris and I did get out with Ethan to Hershey's Chocolate World for some enjoyment yesterday morning before the first game. It was very different from the lat time I visited, which was during the 1960's. I must say--there was a lot of chocolate and the singing cows were just a bit over the top. It was a moo-ving performance.

A great weekend so far and since there is no game today, we will be heading home soon.

-- Bob Doan, writing from Hummelstown, PA

World Series Update

As the MLB season draws to a conclusion, I can state that it has been an exciting World Series, thus far. 

While I picked the Astros to win the series in six games, and they technically could still do that, it certainly does not look as if they brought their "A" game last night during their 12-3 loss. The Astros are now two games down in the best of seven series. 


Remember--it is Baseball! There are still five games possible and anything can happen!

Here are some World Series fun facts from CBS Sports. 


The Nationals have outscored the Astros 17-7.

Road teams who take a 2-0 series lead have won the Series 77 percent of the time.

The last 11 MLB teams to take a 2-0 lead have gone on to win the title, including the 2018 Red Sox.

A total of 17 runs from the Nats are the most by road team in the first two games of the World Series since the 1960 Yankees (20 runs vs. Pirates).

Just three of the previous 25 teams to lose the first two games at home under the current 2-3-2 format have come back to win the World Series. It hasn't been accomplished since the 1996 New York Yankees came back against the Atlanta Braves.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

And the Rains Arrived

The news reported that we have received more rain in the past week than we had received since the beginning of August. 

That was an astounding revelation. That is how dry that it has been. 

The Team After Practice
GORC Park
October 12, 2019

But, today is supposed to be a beautiful day. And it is working out well because we have baseball practice tonight. The team is preparing for a big tournament in Hershey this weekend. We are guaranteed three games and hopefully will play more. We have a double header on Saturday beginning at 12:30--hopefully the weather will be kind to us. Right now it looks like Saturday evening showers and Sunday rain--we might not get to play on Sunday. But, the weather can always change. 

Hopefully, it will. But, then, we need the rain. 

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Those Amazing Nats

Amazing! Incredible!

The Nationals fans are celebrating this morning because their team us the first to punch its ticket to the World Series 2019 where they will face either the Astros or the Yankees. 


A couple of weeks ago, the team played a single-game elimination Wild Card playoff looking forward to facing the Dodgers, the team with the second best record in all of baseball, if they were victorious. Few believed they would survive a series against the Dodgers--but anything can happen in a five game series and the Nats were victorious and now have swept the Cardinals to be the first team into the 2019 World Series. The Nationals also win their first NL Pennant!

In the other series, yesterday the Astros defeated the Yankees 4-1 to take a 2-1 lead in their series. This is a series that I expect will go to at least 6 games given the strength of the teams. That is definitely a problem for the Nationals--sitting around watching rather than playing baseball. 

And so there are three teams remaining. Soon there will be two. I still like the Astros to take it all, but would not be disappointed to have a World Series trophy come to D.C. 

I checked Stub Hub this morning, standing room only tickets to World Series Game 3, the first to be played in D.C. on Friday October 25th, are starting at $750. I would need to start a Fundme page to go to the game. I am not too concerned about going to the game, however, because I will be at a tournament in Hershey, PA, with my very own GORC 12U Wildcats that weekend!

I love Baseball!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD