Christmas in July!

We all know the magical feeling children have coming downstairs on Christmas morning to a boatload of presents nestled under a brightly lit tree.  This is how I feel on the first day of Major League Baseball's spring training every year, when the ballplayers trade the winter blues for the palm trees and cactus of Florida and Arizona. 

So you can begin to imagine the joy I'm feeling now that the Phillies are about to begin "Spring" training again, but this time, only about 25 miles from my New Jersey home.  Instead of booking a flight, hotel and rental car, I only need to pull out of my driveway and take the 30-minute drive to Philadelphia to watch the Phillies workout on one of the two Richie Ashburn fields at FDR Park. 

If you sprinkle in the fact that my sons' travel ballclub that I coach, the 13U SJ Braves, is only now just starting its Spring Season, you can see why I'm doubly excited.  Our ballclub will be playing the bulk of its games in the sultry summer months, which is "hittin' season" as former Phils skipper and World Series Champion Charlie Manuel says.  In 2020, our team will actually be the Boys of Summer. 

Play Ball!