The "A Dream Has Vanished! Say It Ain't So...Please!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Talking with my grandson, Caden, as to what he is doing to try and past time while his school has been postponed for the rest of the year due to the Coronavirus.  He said he walked the half-mile to his old elementary school to shoot baskets on the playground, then returned home to take the family's two large dogs for a walk.  Not being able to go to school is driving him crazy!  He is a very good student, but what he misses most is been able to play baseball for his High School's team.  Caden began baseball at a very early age since his dad had him throwing and batting as soon as he was able to walk.  The love of the game was given to him by his entire family, since I played ball for many years as did his dad and uncle.  He honed his skills for close to 10 years in organized baseball and this year, as a freshman at Hempfield High School in nearby Landisville, Pennsylvania, he made the high school team. Before school ended more than a month ago, the team played their first scrimmage of the year and Carol and I headed to the game to see how well he would do.  

 

The evening he was picked for the team was a
special occasion for Caden and his mom and dad.
Here he is seen with his mom, celebrating!

He is playing Junior Varsity ball this year and is on a team that features freshmen and sophomores.  The team has about 18 players, so he wasn't sure if he would start the game or come in as a substitute.  The game started and there he was at first base in the bottom of the 1st inning warming up the rest of the infielders.  Top of the second and he came to bat to face the starting pitcher for the York team.  Hit the ball sharply to the third-baseman, but was thrown out at first base.  He didn't return to play first base in the second, but instead headed to the bullpen to warm up in preparation to pitch.  His team's pitcher began to struggle so he was called into the game to get the final out of the inning.  The following inning he continued to pitch and ended the inning with a strikeout on a great curveball.  The third and final inning had him back at first base once again.  The game was called after 3 innings due to the weather.  It looks as if the coach is planning on using Caden quite a bit which is what he was hoping would be the case.  Now, I should tell you that I find it hard at times to keep my mouth shut when Caden is playing.  The umpire is never right when he calls a ball when Caden is pitching or a strike when he is batting.  And, I'm not the only one who is like that.  Most every other parent or grandparent is the same way.  Tough being an umpire, but they have to expect that, since I'm sure they are the same way when they are watching their kids and grandkids playing.  

2020 Hempfield Baseball Team.  Caden is third row from bottom, third from the right.

I was warned by my wife not to go behind the screen at home plate, since she didn't want to have to go home early.  I did listen to her and we had a great time at the game.  The team looked as if they will do well this year.   BUT, two days later, the entire season came to a halt when Caden's school was closed due to the spred of the Coronavirus.  His years of practice and games while advancing up through the different levels of youth baseball have come to a halt by a silent killer.  No one is happy about this, especially Caden!  As upset as Caden may be, those boys who are seniors this year and who were hoping to perhaps receive scholarships to go to college and play baseball must be extremely heartbroken.  Caden lives for baseball!!  He does have summer ball to look forward to, but making his high school baseball team was a dream finally come true, and to have it all come to a sudden end is heartbreaking.  Not only for him, but his entire team as well as their friends and relatives.  I know the virus will eventually cease, but for now it has put my grandson's dream on hold.  How cruel!!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

PS - I wrote this story a few weeks ago and since that time summer baseball has also been eliminated this year.  The entire family is disappointed, but not half as much as Caden and his dad.  Someday I will once again get to cheer for him on the playing field.