The Boys Of Summer

This is actually from last summer, but, what the heck . . . . . the season is on again.

The Okotoks Dawgs built a new stadium on the edge of this small and rapidly expanding city of 21,000 southwest of Calgary. I live 10 minutes west of Okotoks. The Dawgs are in the Western Major Baseball League, essentially collegians from around North America playing some summer ball.

Or, as Roger Kahn would have called them in the title of one of my favourite all-time books, that masterful work of art from 1973, "The Boys Of Summer."

Below, the windup:

http://www.goldentales.ca/DSC_2957-edit2.jpg

Below, rounding second base and testing the arm of the outfielder. Miraculously, he made it to third.

http://www.goldentales.ca/CSC_3068-EDIT1.jpg

Below, the catcher from St. Albert rings up a struck-out Dawg.

http://www.goldentales.ca/CSC_3090-edit1.jpg

Below, what happens in the dugout, stays in the dugout:

http://www.goldentales.ca/DSC_3036-edit1.jpg

Below, ringing up a double play:

http://www.goldentales.ca/CSC_3017-edit1.jpg

Below, a summer spent in small-town Canada for this American collegian.

http://www.goldentales.ca/CSC_3091-edit1.jpg

Below, . . . . and those who paid $8 apiece, across two generations, to see him.

http://www.goldentales.ca/CSC_0151-edit1.jpg

Below, you can't outrun the ball . . . .

http://www.goldentales.ca/CSC_3089-edit1.jpg

. . . . continued below:

Below, a dejected bum . . . .

http://www.goldentales.ca/CSC_3088-edit1.jpg

. . . . . and the home run hero

http://www.goldentales.ca/CSC_3096-edit1.jpg

Below, not good enough

http://www.goldentales.ca/DSC_3010-edit1.jpg

Below, Diggity Dawg entertains on this rain-out makeup game, $5 a ticket.

http://www.goldentales.ca/DSC_2987-edit1.jpg

Below, the opposition from St. Albert

http://www.goldentales.ca/CSC_0143-edit1.jpg

The sun sets on a warm night for baseball. This was a rainout game, hence the sparse crowd. Typically these seats are sold out.

http://www.goldentales.ca/DSC_3072-edit1.jpg

Below, post-script, the next night, a home run celebration in a big playoff game. More heroes, more memories for these young players, most of whom will eventually fade away, never to be heard from again on a serious baseball stage, these being the highlight days, the salad days, of their young but still speculative careers . . . . . a timeless cycle more than a century old for the Grand Old Game and those who dream it and play it.

http://www.goldentales.ca/CSC_0145-edit1.jpg

Rick C
www.goldentales.ca

Below, what happens in the dugout, stays in the dugout:

http://www.goldentales.ca/DSC_3036-edit1.jpg

:laugh: :laugh:


Below, a summer spent in small-town Canada for this American collegian.

http://www.goldentales.ca/CSC_3091-edit1.jpg

Below, . . . . and those who paid $8 apiece, across two generations, to see him.

I can see why :whistle:

Below, not good enough

http://www.goldentales.ca/DSC_3010-edit1.jpg

Great action shot :thumbs up

Did you send any pics to the teams for promos and such?

What neat shots!!! I love watching baseball but haven't had a chance to for years now. :sad: Maybe something to look forward to in my retirement.
Keep the pictures coming please. :D

:laugh: :laugh:

Did you send any pics to the teams for promos and such?

I scored a free $8 ticket. Whoot!!! :highfive:

Rick C
www.goldentales.ca

:thumbs up Hey it's something :laughing:

These pics could have been in the pet-related section. They're "DAWG" related!

Below, what happens in the dugout, stays in the dugout:

http://www.goldentales.ca/DSC_3036-edit1.jpg

I LOL'd!


Below, . . . . and those who paid $8 apiece, across two generations, to see him.

http://www.goldentales.ca/CSC_0151-edit1.jpg


I'd call this one "Before...After" :D

Great pics! I love action shots!