Direct Hitts by Shari Hittesdorf

Minnesota is experiencing weather this week that most of us have never seen before. Heat to the point of being dangerous if you are not careful. Problem is with their seasons nearing an end,baseball and softball teams are playing catch up from the many rainouts. So cancelling games due to the weather is an option many coaches are not considering. But is it worth it?

There is a reason the Minnesota State High School League has impliment a rule guiding practices and contests from being played (MSHSL Guidelines>>>)  I know we want our kids to toughen up but not in this kind of weather. A normal healthy athlete can sucumb to this stuff, it’s nasty, remember Viking Korey Stringer. And then lets not forget about those dedicated fans who are attending the game. Their health may be at risk as well.

I know there is no rule that says you can’t play, well maybe there is, THE COMMON SENSE RULE.

Thursday promises to be better – let the games wait  – for the well-being of participants, officials and fans.

When I was a kid, I loved watching the Major League All-Star game. My favorite stars shined, and they did for most of the game.

Now, well now, they just make a cameo and spend the rest of the night sitting the pines. That, thanks to a watered down roster with a bunch of no-namers.

Bring back the good old days when I actually knew the names of the guys batting in the sixth inning on. Who cares if everyone gets in the game. I want to see Albert Pujos face Mario Rivera with the game tied and bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth!

Back in the seventies there were an average of 46 players used in the entire game. That number now stands at 58.  And let’s not forget 2008 when 68 made an appearance.

Then there is the issue of no shows. Last year a total of 82 players were named to the rosters. It took that many because of injuries and pitching schedules.

We fans are cheated, I tell you, cheated! I honestly haven’t watched an All-Star game from start to finish in two decades. I want my Jim Palmers, Catfish Hunters, Johnny Benches, Tom Seavers, Hank Aarons, Reggie Jacksons, Rod Carews, Joe Morgan’s, Mike Schmidts, Willie Stargells, Nolan Ryans, Freddie Lynns…..if you rememeber all of these stars then I bet you too remember how special the mid-summer classic USED to be.