Second Thoughts – Pitchers and Proofreading

Greetings Dear Reader,

Sometimes I will end the day with thoughts that are important to get out.  Usually I just write them and put them in my journal folder.  I have chosen that on occasion I will share them with you Dear Reader.

You know of my love for baseball Dear Reader.  In a game where amazing things happen every season some truly rare happened this week.  For the first time in twenty years a switch pitcher has debuted in the major league.   Pat Venditte of the Oakland A’s, who can hurl the ball over ninety miles an hour with either hand pitched from both sides against Boston this weekend.

This is a big deal and was noted by papers everywhere.  One paper, the East Oregonian, ran the story with the following headline:  “Amphibious Pitcher Makes Debut”.   Whilst it would seem appropriate if Venditte played for the Mariners, Marlins, or Devil Rays the gaff is an example of the need for solid proof reading.

It is funny but it is not the real story.  The real story is that Venditte is the genuine article.  He has brought something new to baseball.  Are the others out there who will begin to train both arms?  Will this become a sought-after talent in baseball?

It is of note that Yogi Berra once commented on a switch hitter, “He hits from both sides of the plate. He's amphibious.’  Perhaps Managing Editor Daniel Wattenburger had read the quote and channeled Yogi when he was penning his headline.  Either way we get to watch a young pitcher struggle against batters in the eternal binary battle that is baseball. 

It makes me happy to see something truly new.  It makes me proud to love the sport and to be a pitcher.   It reminds me that the game begins with the first pitch.  We see the drama so illustrative of life and redemption unfolds.  We see something new and amazing.  I love it and when it is amazing it is loving me back. 

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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