It’s a thrill for me to be throwing out the first ball today. Though I am as cold as the rest of you, we are all warmed by the promise of the new season, the hope that springs eternal in our hearts.

Baseball, more than any sport, inspires hope. I think this is because there is no time limit. No matter how far behind you are, with skill and courage and a lot of luck, you can still win. Time will never run out.

This feeling that time will never run out is part of the season. Days are getting longer then stay long. There are no worries. We feel the future will always be like this, that there will always be youth, there will always be heroes and there will always be another season to improve our talents or finally use them to their fullest.

When Fall comes we see players in a different light. Rookies look even younger. The sparkle in the veteran’s eye is one for the ages. Long shadows on the field have us dreaming of next year’s glory or cheering the end of an era.

On this bright chilly day a new year is about to begin. We step out of the shadow of winter into this beacon we call baseball season.

It is my pleasure and honor to throw out the first ball.

Copyright © 2025 by David Vaszko