After what seems like a month of rain, I spent a thoroughly enjoyable night in Marcus Hook last night.
The occasion was the title match of our annual Daily Times/Exelon Champs ‘n’ Charity Classic softball tournament.
As we have been doing for some time, we not only covered the event extensively, we live-streamed the championship game on our website. You can catch the replay here. We did the same for the first game of the women’s final on Sunday night.
I make my annual pilgrimmage to the Hook for the men’s title game. This year it came with an added bonus. I got to sit in with Anthony SanFilippo on the live-stream and offer some commentary, as well as inform viewers why we were doing the broadcast and what kind of things they can expect from us in the future online. Yes, it really is a whole new world for those of us toiling in the ever-changing world of journalism.
Our biggest challenge, at least in the early innings, was fighting off a serious case of sun glare as we sat in our position just behind first base. We were looking directly into the setting sun.
But it struck me, as the sun started to fade behind the trees, that the scene in Mickey Vernon Park was a little slice of Americana that all of us was lucky enough to enjoy.
The people in Marcus Hook always come out to support both the game and our biggest charity endeavor of the year. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society and the battle against cancer, which has touched all of us.
They snap up the raffle tickets that present a big chunk of our fundraising. They buy T-shirts.
And of course, they play host to the much of the tournament, including the men’s slow-pitch final.
They line both sides of the field, having set up their chairs to get the best view of the field. As I walked from the parking lot to the scene behind home plate, I could hear snippets of the talk of the town. Kids played on the playground behind home plate. Moms kibbitzed as they watched over their young ones. Men gathered near the snack bar.
For at least one night, as sun streamed on the field and perfect temperatures made shirtsleeves the dress of the night, it was as perfect as small town America gets.
Just a gorgeous evening.
We have a saying around here when it comes to the tournament: It never rains in the Hook.
That might not have exactly been the case this year, but you could have fooled me last night.
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