“People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.” ~ Rogers Hornsby (legendary 2nd baseman from 1915-1937)
A sunny Sunday, 64 degrees, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Is this winter … and baseball?
Because, while major leaguers use February and March to oil up their joints, warm up their bones, and, apparently, shave for the first time since October, college boys are already grinding.
I was tired of the Olympics anyway. (Oh, wait, what? It’s already over? Goodbye, sweet curling, my friend. You are always a sport to me.)
And, hope springs eternal … even when spring is still a month away.
The University of Virginia Cavaliers win 6-2 over East Carolina
February 23, 2013, Davenport Field, Charlottesville, Virginia
The first photo of the season is bound to be a bit fuzzy. Junior Brandon Downes.
Happy for baseball season? Yeh, me, too.
Matt Thaiss, Freshman. (This ball went foul, but we named Thaiss our Player of the Game, after he went 3 for 4, reached base all four times, 2 runs, 1 RBI. Did I mention he is a freshman? I was a freshman once.)
Pitcher Whit Mayberry’s got his Yoga going on on the mound.
Self Portrait.
The Baseball Bloggess 
So good to see the Great Game in motion once again. Who needs spring anyway?
And love the self-portrait!
Thanks Casey! I think this sunny, warm weather this past weekend in Virginia was a tease. When the temperature falls below 45, there’s free coffee and hot chocolate at UVa’s baseball games — I’m guessing I’ll be filling up on free cocoa yet!
But, it’s so nice to have real baseball played out on a real diamond, then watching all the off-season trading and wheeling and dealing and spending in the MLB!
Ah, “free”. Now there’s a word you don’t hear much in connection with professional baseball. Especially at the major league level, they are awfully quick to pass the offering plate.
It’s a nice gesture, but I think I prefer my baseball warm enough that I don’t have to worry about shattered balls–shattered bats are bad enough!
No shattered bats at college games … just dents in the aluminum. Nothing like the melodious “ding” of the bat … which bothered me at first, but I’m coming to terms with it!
Fond memories of my Little League days, that “ping”.
Agreed, the aluminum should eliminate shattered bats–but in cold weather anyone who tries to sneak in a spit ball is in trouble: the ball’s gonna stick to the bat, just like a tongue on a metal fence!
Ah, college baseball. Always one step ahead.
Hi Gloria! And, the weather cooperated! (I’m not sure it will be quite so cooperative next weekend.) In any event, a little baseball can’t heal, but it can soothe, a sad heart … so it was a nice elixir for a not-so-nice week.
Hey, I went to a Clemson vs. UMaine college baseball game this past Saturday. Sunny and warm, with temps in the 60’s. Perfect baseball day. Love the fact that down here, they can play real baseball in February. If I was still living up in Maine, I’d still be experiencing the mid-winter blues.
Cheers,
Bill
Thanks for stopping by, Bill! I agree … I LOVE Virginia, and I LOVE February baseball (although I might not love it quite so much this coming week, when the temps are expected to be much chillier … and no amount of baseball and free hot chocolate can warm me up when it dips into the low 40s). But, I’m glad we have some real baseball to enjoy (I was getting so tired of just aimlessly watching the trade and free agent wires …) So glad it’s Spring!
Baseball in February, not exactly the most exciting time, if that is your attitude. In reality February is a very exciting time in baseball because that is when your team is continuously checking for recruits, and the free agent market trying to re-place some of the players that have left. Also February gives fans a chance to see what the months of March, April and May will have in store. So don’t be so down on what February doesn’t have to offer, remind yourself what is yet to come.