Baseball Way of Life

Good grief … this is so f****ing HARD! Torey lived for this shit and I lived for this shit because both him and Das lived for this shit. The three of us worked as a team to get in and out of the ballpark – regardless of which park – and it was our way of life.

This didn’t apply just to summer ball – it was whenever ball. Doing this without Torey has been heartbreaking. I feel his spirit, I do. I just miss listening to his quips and his conversations about the game. He loved watching Das play – it brought him so much JOY and yes, frustration sometimes – I mean, he DID get ejected from the game just being a spectator!

This season has been particularly hard because Das hasn’t been happy with the team we were on. There were several grievances and Das has spoken up for himself – didn’t wait on me or asked me to step in. I suppose he feels like he needs to be his own voice rather than rely on anyone – in the past Torey was his voice. T-Mitch would talk to the Coaches on Das’ behalf. I’m proud of Das… I can rely on the fact that he can speak for himself as well as Torey could.

We used to drop Das off at the field since he’d have to be there an hour before the game. Then we’d go and find the closest Chili’s depending on what time it was and park ourselves at the bar. We would have a drink or two and head back to the ballpark, giggling and shootin’ the shit. These times are gone now.

T-Mitch would always laugh whenever he found himself teaching me something new about the game – whether it was a baseball nuance or a play. I miss this.

We would cringe at early morning games together, bitch and moan… but, we’d get up and soldier on and get our boy to the destination. Sometimes the drive time would be an hour or more…

I miss running and getting more ice in between games on a hot day with him. Any time spent in an air conditioned setting was such a relief for us and we treasured it together!

I miss showing him the pictures I’d take on my camera in between plays. “That’s a good shot, ‘Nita!”

I miss hearing his conversations with other parents, players, coaches and the umpires. His laugh was infectious.

Since we ran Green Sox together with Joe we knew what the expenses were so anytime a ball was hit as a foul ball outside of the field and was unreachable or lost, Torey was known to say, “Five dollars!” Some parents still say that because of him!

I spend so much time watching videos and looking at pictures I took during ball games…. just to hear his voice. I wish I filmed him more. I wish for so much, but I know none of it is possible.

This past weekend being in College Station to watch Das play ball broke me a few times. It reminded me of our travel time for tournaments from last summer. He looked forward to more of this … he simply couldn’t wait. I just enjoyed the journey with him … to see Das grow as a player.

Das plays with passion. He plays with soul for his own soul because baseball is one of his saving graces. He loves the game so much. Torey taught him that.

I am forever grateful and miss my T-Mitch so, so, soooo much.