“You could be a kid for as long as you want when you play baseball.” ~ Cal Ripken, Jr.
Well, I thought I had recently covered as many “opening days” as possible. I posted a “THROWBACKTHURSDAY” on the White Sox 2020 opening day, this year’s opening day, a recap of the White Sox opener and even wandered back in time to cover the Seattle Pilots only opening day. I pretty much figured I was “opened out”, but then I saw the above quote and realized there was one more I had to mention. If you haven’t read these, feel free to peruse the Achieves Page to check them out (and other older posts out – In fact, if you haven’t read the About Page, I encourage you to read that as well), you’ll enjoy them.
This opener won’t be televised, or on the radio, the Chicago Tribune won’t do any hype on it, chances are it won’t be a sell-out crowd attending the game, in fact I’d be surprised if there were 10 or more people in attendance. If fans do attend, they should bring their own lawn chairs, as seating is extremely limited to almost non-existent. The game is this Sunday, the 24th of April. It will be played at Tiger Athletic Association Field which is located at 1040 6th Avenue in Aurora, Illinois, 60505. Game time is 11:45a. There won’t be an on-field ceremony, opening lineups will not be announced and I’m reasonably sure no one will be singing the National Anthem. No vendors will be in the “stands” selling hotdogs, popcorn, cotton candy, Pepsi, or beer. There is a clubhouse up the hill from the field that has pizza, popcorn and either soft or “adult” beverages, but that is pretty much the only amenities. So, what is the attraction of this opening day game?
(Tiger Field. Photo is from the Chicago Central Men’s Senior Baseball League website. Public Domain is assumed.)
This is the home opener for the Naperville Yankees of the Chicago Central Men’s Senior Baseball League, 60 and over division. Their opponent will be the Wildcats. The league has 30+, 43+, 53+, 60+ and 65+ divisions. They play real baseball, not softball. The games are competitive at each level. The fans that do come out, seem to enjoy the games. Various fields host the games. Ozinga Field (Home of the Windy City Thunderbolts), DuPage Medical Group Field (Home of the Joliet Slammers), and the Benedictine University Sports Complex (Home of the Benedictine University Eagles) to name just a few. Games are also played at various park district fields as well Tiger Field.
There are no reviews, no commercials or sponsors, no high-ticket prices, no DH, no “signaled intentional walks”, no walk-up songs and no “bush” bat flips. The players are from many different experience levels, that play hard all the time. They play because they love the game and want to be a part of it for as long as they can. They pay a fee to play, not receive multi-million-dollar deals. It’s pure baseball that provides about 2 and a half hours of enjoyment for fans and pushes back the age of the players while keeping the best part of the youth alive.
How do I know about this? Well, I’m on the Naperville Yankees in the 60+ division. It is wood bat league, and it is a blast. This is my third season and every minute of this is beyond fun. I am by no means a star, probably just an average player, but baseball is my first love, my passion and still being on the field, being part of a team is a dream come true. If you’re interested, I wrote about my beginnings in this league in a post called “A New Path” on a previous platform (It’ll be a future THROWBACKTHURSDAY post at some point).
(The author in action. The photo is from my personal files.)
So, if you live in the area, come check us out. If you have a desire to play, see a game and get ready for next year. If you just love baseball and want to enjoy a game at no cost, we should be your choice. Or just smile knowing that such an endeavor exists with grown men still living their childhood dreams.
Contact me if you’d like a schedule. For more information, check out the league’s website.
Hope to see you at a game!
~ Coach Mike
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What a great picture‼️ So professional 🤗. Love your excitement and pure joy for this opening day👏 Have a great time and bring home the WIN⚾️🧢
Remember to put your glove up or the ball will"Shoot your eye out"