March 18, 2013
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SPORTS
I recently heard that we are approaching the 30th anniversary of the release of the Sports album by Huey Lewis and the News. As exciting as that may be, I am writing here about something completely different. Here the word “sports” has its traditional meaning of engaging in athletic activity that requires some skill and involves competition.
Sports were always important in our family, largely because my father was a great fan. When my brothers and I were growing up, we did not have the many youth sports programs that are ubiquitous today. Arvada did have “little league” teams (though not associated with the international Little League – in capital letters – organization), organized by age group, that competed with other Jefferson County communities. There was no youth football or basketball or soccer or lacrosse, etc.
As soon as I was old enough – I believe it was 8 years old at that time – I began playing. For a few years, I really loved baseball. I was not a great athlete. I played outfield sometimes and third base at other times. Some years I was a fairly good hitter while in others I struggled to get my bat near the ball. Once when I was 11 or perhaps 12, I managed to hit a home run, a triple, a double and a single all in one game. More than half a century later, I always think back to that game whenever I pass the field on West Colfax where it was played. Continue reading