TALE OF A FOUL BALL IN AUSTIN
Two weeks ago tonight, I made the pilgrimage to the "mecca" of college
baseball. I had made some friends with the Texas fans who came up to
the SWC tourney in Fayetteville. That was the Saturday night that had
me emerging from the bathroom dressed in a burnt orange sweatsuit as
it became clear that UT and A&M would be vying for the championship on
Sunday. The meeting with some of those same fans in Omaha later
cemented my belief that there are good Longhorn fans out there.
Experiences the last several years, and now my first - hopefully only
- trip to Austin indicate that those folks are long gone.
Following the instructions of the ever-so-knowing
almost-annual-regional-host Texas staff, I bought tickets as close as
possible to the Razorback dugout "with the other Arkansas fans". As
you may have guessed, that put us with a bird's eye view of the inside
of the Hog players - high above the opposite side of the sauna. As
has been my dutiful habit since way back in the old George Cole Field
days, I brought my glove. Being on the first base side, I would put
it on for a right-handed batter.
And then it happened: line drive, straight at me. Only the Texan to
my right even stood up to make an attempt, but I could not be moved.
*WHACK!* Right in the center of the pocket. Then, just as quickly,
bouncing off the palm and down 3 rows. Harmlessly away from me.
Harmless, of couse, to every one BUT ME - since it was AWAY FROM ME!!!
It was as if the Longhorn crowd had been watching and been on me the
same as the fans in beautiful Baum Stadium. I threw the glove to the
ground in disgust and stomped on it, to the delight of all. Longhorn
fan behind me was thankful for me "saving his life"...
Then immediately I get 2 cel phone calls from back in NWA. It seems
Chuck Barrett reported the incident on the air. Thanx, Chuck - oh,
and thanx for repeating it on Monday, too. At once a great moment,
and yet a horrific one as well.
In my defense:
* I had only worn my new glasses to 3 other ballgames, and depth
perception has been difficult.
* I was in a strange stadium.
* I was too high in the stands.
* I was on the wrong side of the field. Clearly "Having to play out
of position" has never applied more!
* This was the first foul ball hit to me after losing the ring finger
on my glove hand. I did not realize just how much that would affect
my ability to close on the ball.
* It was very hot.
* And very humid.
* And in a different state. A 'hole other country', or so I hear.
* Didn't cookout before the game.
* I was tired.
* And depressed. No matter how hard the guys tried - and we were
scoring runs - the Horns just scored more. (It was fun watching them
murmur and squirm each time we would rally. I guess the spanking we
gave them the previous night had them kinda gun-shy)
* I usually have to fight those around me for the catch. This was
like an uncontested layup with defenders all around, yet no contact.
* I usually have to account for wind. Believe me, there wasn't even a
HINT of breeze at the "mecca". Lot of hot air....
To sum up, it would have simply been a miracle had I made the catch.
But oh how sweet it would have been had I been able to finish it off.
Very much like the past season, I suppose.
