The Batting Cage Opens Today and The Big Dog is Ready
Since the last out of the Cubs World Series clinching victory over the Indians, I have been had the bug. What bug you ask? The bug to go to the batting cage and smash some baseballs around is attacking me like I would a fastball. The bad news was that the Quincy Park District’s Batting Cage at Upper Moorman Park has been closed. The good news is that it will open for the season today at 3:30 p.m.
Having played baseball for some 26 years, I still feel like I can put the catcher’s gear on and get behind the plate again. As a matter of fact, a few years ago the Quincy Gems asked me to do just that for an exhibition game that summer. I would love to get back there again, but I am not sure I would last long behind home plate. One thing I am sure of is...I can still hit a baseball.
I frequently have spent time in the Quincy Park District’s batting cage over the years. It is therapy for me to smash a baseball. I get my pent up aggression's out by doing so. That therapy has also forced me to actually have therapy in that five years ago I fouled a ball off my leg “crushing” my tibia and three years ago I broke my big toe with a foul ball as well.
So why do it? Because it’s in my blood, thanks to my dad playing in the Pacific Coast League in his youth. Like I said, I know I can still hit and still play (I just need a rule change to allow a designated runner from home plate to first base).
Five years ago, with a great deal of interest, I was watching Jamie Moyer win his 268th game pitching at the age of 49 for the Colorado Rockies. His top fastball was recorded around 78 miles per hour which the Park District then told me was the approximate speed of the fast pitch machine at the batting cage. Jamie is no longer a major leaguer and that is a shame. You see, in the Jeff Dorsey way of thinking, if Jamie Moyer was in the Major Leagues throwing pitches at 78 miles per hour there was still hope for me to be able to hit a Major League pitch.
Two years ago, Brian Myles and I challenged each other to a hitting contest. Check it out!
Thank you Jamie Moyer for keeping my dream alive for as long as you did even at my age (older than Jamie). I know the clock is ticking for me as well. But as long as I can continue to go to the batting cage, I will be there. There will be a day when I might not be able to swing the bat, but I will still be able to bunt. Bring on the horsehide. I’m ready to smash a few baseballs before I can’t anymore.
The hours now for the Batting Cage in Upper Moorman Park are 3:30 to 9 Monday through Friday, 10-9 on Saturday and 12 noon to 9 on Sunday. The Cage will be open from 10 to 10 beginning Memorial Day.