Regular is over, now it's special

The regular season finally comes to a close and it has most questioning where the the summer went. Okay, maybe not everybody. Most appear to know exactly where it went and have the pictures to prove it. And not just mine. And a lot from farther afield than the Palmerston diamond. Seems we are infested with a number of globetrotters. Nice to be able to leave your mark somewhere else than the spot on the baseball diamond where you might have had your last face plant. Something to look forward to. Now we sit and wait for the playoffs to begin. Not too long a wait, just until next Tuesday. Four seperate games over two Tuesdays, for all or nothing, for all the marbles, for the big enchilada. Well, at least for the right to hold the trophy for the off-season and some bragging rights. That is, if you can get someone to listen. Not to worry, we try to give you a captive audience at the end of season party, where you will have some time between the first drink and the last, at least as long as you can still speak coherently. And even that sometimes does not stop most of us.

The end of the regular season could not come quick enough for some as it appears some are now required to get home before the street lights come on, as the slight adjustment in schedule indicates. Be it a probation violation, a general fear of the dark or you just like to see the ball when you are playing, the games were finished off a wee bit early. Guess one could cite a safety concern, but what is life without a little risk. Luckily, games called on account of darkness are never a concern in the playoffs, where inefficient use of hydro comes into play. It also could not come quick enough for some teams, as players still appear to be dropping like flies. Like the major leagues, a full season seems to take its toll on most, with others exhibiting an athletic clumsiness that is bound to result in injury, sooner or later. A natural state for most of us and, the longer the season lasts, the more likely we are to hurt ourselves, sometimes real bad. Really bad. Take a moment to contemplate those who have gone before us. Thankfully, most will be back.

So bad, for some teams, that they may have difficulty fielding a full team for the playoffs. Well, a full team that can also run or do more than simply stand about in a prone position, even if it is not a fully upright position. Becomes difficult to play when, not only do you offer a shortage of players, half the players you have remaining cannot run for themselves. But, don’t worry, we will still force you to play. Arrangements will be made so no team sits on the sidelines for the playoffs, so you will still have the chance to show off your less than exemplary skills. Just try not to hurt yourself (if you haven’t already). At least try not to hurt yourself more. Don’t let the final standings perturb you. Those who fair the best in the regular season do not always continue their victorious stride into the playoffs. Several seasons have seen the sleeper teams, the ones that underperform, those that are quick to rise yet quicker to fall, pull a fast one and literally come from behind to win. Watch your back, protect your rear. Still anyone’s game, well, in any event, our game, but we do not have a World Cup of anything, so ownership is always up for debate. We may only be able to ultimately decide who can leave the field without further injury. Still, anyone’s game to win and, even if you do lose, you always come away with something. And, as long as it is not a permanent injury that relegates you to the sidelines, that something can make it all worthwhile. Sense of relief, at least.

Next week we play under the lights, with the first game starting at 6:30 p.m., a full seven innings, followed by the second game right after its conclusion. If all goes to history, second place plays third place in the first game, with last place playing first place in the second game. Can probably figure out when you play by looking at the standings on the website (you all know where that is, look closely), but why bother. Last two Tuesdays of the season, two full seven inning games each night, surrounded by people you have come to know and love, or, at least, not dislike as intensely. Come to both games. Show up for 6:30, stay for both, watch and play, if not to cheer on the other teams, just to enjoy your friends and have one final opportunity to rib your neighbours. What do you have to lose? Well, besides a game or two.