Adult baseball in Taos

‘Baseball is designed to break your heart.

The game begins in spring when everything else begins,

and it blossoms in summer, filling the afternoons and evenings,

and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops

and leaves you to face the fall alone.’

— Bartlett Giamatti Did you know there is adult baseball in Taos, and that there has been for the past 30 years. All ages from 18 to the ageless are welcome to play. On Wednesday evenings throughout the summer, players in their 50s and 70s gather at the Taos High School Baseball Field and play until sunset. Those games are played with a sense of ease. If you can’t run, then walk. If you miss a ball, there’s always another one coming. The pitching is slower because everyone’s arms are older. Everyone plays within their own limits. The game is played purely for the joy of it. There is nothing much better than hanging out with a bunch of old ball players on a summer evening. If you don’t have a glove, someone will be happy to lend you one.

If you are afraid to get hurt, this is the league for you. There is no stealing or sliding — even running is optional, based on your

condition. The goal is to have fun without hurting yourself. Of course, throwing might be a little painful after all these years (even sitting on the couch hurts at this age). But will you ever have this opportunity again? No, you won’t, so let’s have some fun while we still can.

Younger players with a more competitive edge play on Sunday mornings. Umpires call balls and strikes, nine innings are played and, as in all games, one teams comes out ahead and the other waits until the following Sunday.

It’s baseball. It’s fun. And it’s free. It’s only one

day for a few hours a week. It’s a place to go where the only thing in your mind is catching a ball. Don’t we all deserve that every once in a while? Come on out and play.

Come to the High School Baseball field on Sunday (June 5) at 10 a.m. for an exploratory gathering. Adult and Senior Games will begin the following week.

For more details on the 55+ league contact Homer Pritchard at mp@taosnet. com. Under 55, contact Norm Cutliff at normpro43@ msn.com.

COURTESY PHOTO Dave Garver waits for a decent pitch from Norm Cutliff, the baseball’s shadow shows that’s it just outside of the plate.

COURTESY PHOTO A member of the Taos Adult Baseball League is stoked to be able to play baseball on Sundays.