THE SANDLOT

For many reasons, playing ball in pick up games or sandlot games far exceeded organized Little League or Pony League games. It was actually a rite of passage or at the least, a way to make one grow.

The gathering of players required no set number. You started the game with what you had. That is, maybe only 6 showed up. Divvy up sides and the sounds of bat on ball or yelling would draw others. Of course captains had to do the picking. They, the oldest and ablest. A baseball bat was tossed by one to the other and hands were gripped on the bat until the winner could top off the knob.

When others arrived, they would be sent to the team that was behind. If even numbers showed up together, a captain would designate who went where. They didn't need Bill James to decide who was the better player. You were known by your ability. You had what they call today "street cred". Your reputation proceeded you.

If huge numbers showed up, then each captain would select his players until the last three. Then one gracious captain would offer 2 to the other team while he took the odd man. You always wanted to have even sides because you wanted a good game.

It didn't matter if your dad sponsored the team, which gave you a free ride to be chosen. It didn't matter that there were no umpires. It didn't matter if someone got called home in the middle of an inning. You adjusted accordingly. Sometimes trades happened under those circumstances, spur of the moment.

In fact, if you turned the game over to kids to administrate, select, judge and have fun, then you had the best of both worlds. Kid jurisdiction and no adults to interfere.