Once Upon a Time

In the song, 'Once Upon A Time' there is a line that goes like this: "We were young without a single care, tell me where did it go..." I suspect that most people growing up in the 1940's and 1950's can emotionally relate to that 'once upon a time.' It was a time of pure patriotism, which was propelled by a World War and yet a society's desire to protect the innocence in its culture.

For this writer nothing exemplifies a push-back against the assault on yesterday's calmer pace and the attempt to hold fast to anchored traditions as does the start of the Major League Baseball season. The game reminds us that the most enjoyable competition is that in which 'equal opportunity' is guaranteed while the unfolding of events finds no time restrictions.

We note that 'the game' is under attack by a pressurized time-valued customer's unwillingness to develop game nuance understandings, which will negate his need to bolt from the bleachers with concession monies unspent because the game 'takes too long.'

We live in a society that has seen an increase of amateur sport classifications to permit more champions. We have observed a constant tinkering of academic grading scales to render more 'honor' students. We have seen parent-catering chip away at the foundation of parenting discipline. We have watched a society come to embrace the 'tailgate-party' as much if not more than 'the sporting-event.' We are so self-absorbed, we must sit with our texting apparatus 'in hand' in our over-priced stadium suite and complain to one another about how the game drags on and on.

There is a precarious future being nurtured when man continues changing the rules and lowering standards to fulfill self-serving desires and pleasures. We slowly lose our values and dignity.
Sad...truly sad.

Excuse me while I turn my head from man's growing narcissistic-induced failures and embrace 'The Game' that offers fairness, purity and an enjoyable cadence. A game that reminds me of 'once upon a time.'

    (Touch)
Take Me Out To The Ball Game