Retiring a Legend

When you think of retirement parties, what comes to mind?

I bet it isn’t  “BASEBALL!”  

Well, that is exactly what we did, we thought “baseball”.

A co-worker recently retired who had 40 years – yes, 4-0 years – with the company.   He is a hard-working man, who still plays recreational baseball in a senior league.   It only made sense that his party had a baseball theme.   Besides, I like a challenge and when it came to googling “retirement party baseball theme”, not much popped up. (pun intended)

Since we were having the dinner party at Old Greenbrier Restaurant, we wouldn’t be able to go all out on decorations, so we kept it simple with table “centerpieces” made up of a box of Cracker Jacks and a fake bag of peanuts.    On each table we had paper and pen for the guests to write a note to the honoree.

Our guest list was quite varied with a handful of current employees and several retirees who had not seen each other in a very long time.   Name tags were in order and easy to make using avery.com.  I used the 2x4 shipping label and put a simple graphic of a ticket stub on one side and added the event details.  I printed them and put them on a clipboard.   As people arrived, I wrote their names on the tag. 

For our main table, we had a bucket of baseballs for all of his “teammates” to sign.  (If you choose to use this idea, use ballpoint pens instead of the fine tip Sharpies.  They worked okay, but didn’t dry as quickly as I would have liked.)    I used a photo holder and added a couple of quick signs for "Autographs please!"

This was sitting next to a “baseball card” poster that one of our co-workers made with a photo of him batting with a standing ovation crowd in the background.   He even added statistics on the back.

On the dessert table, we had two buckets, one for collecting money for the honoree  and one for collecting notes and cards.  I re-worded "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" for the sign on this one.

For dessert, we opted for cupcakes from Peggy Ann Bakery, and I made cupcake toppers using Powerpoint and my Silhouette Cameo.   I found some photo clipart that I liked of baseball stuff and using the Picture Tools in Powerpoint, I cropped them to circles and then added the text.   Using the Print and Cut feature of the Cameo I was able to knock out 60 in no time flat.   

We didn’t have anything planned as far as speakers or anything like that, but there is the tradition of giving advice, well wishes, and storytelling at retirement parties.   Off the cuff, we played “pass the bat” and whoever had the bat could speak.     

We even had one person, who couldn’t make it, email me a couple of stories to read to the group.  It was a hit!  (pun intended)

After all of the speeches, we got everyone outside for a group photo and few last goodbyes.   

Simple yet fun. With never-ending hushpuppies. The way retirement ought to be.

Baseball Movies

Since hubby is not a huge baseball fan, I have tried to dial it down.  However, after yesterday's blog, I feel compelled to satisfy my craving for baseball related STUFF.   Today, I decided to review my favorite movies related to baseball, in order of release.

Bad News Bears - 1976 -This movie has to be referenced more than any other still today.  I mean, how many times do you hear this at the field?   "Stop throwing the ball around! Agh! They look just like the Bad News Bears!"  This movie made me laugh a lot as a child and I just thought that Tatum O'Neal's character was nothing less than amazing.

 

Eight Men Out - 1988 - I was so outraged after I saw this movie and super curious at the same time about what really happened.  I couldn't believe that men were so greedy that they would dare tarnish the name of baseball.  This movie teaches a great lesson about how the consequences of your choices can affect others.

Field of Dreams - 1989 - Who didn't want to hop in the car and head to Iowa at the end? I like this movie because of its connection to my previous favorite. This picture is my favorite scene.  We learn that it is okay to stick by your husband with his crazy ideas.  I would really like to visit this place, but I think it is no longer a tourist attraction.

A League of Their Own - 1992 - This movie is cram full of so many stars, it is hard to keep track.  The different characters and their personalities are developed so well.  I couldn't believe they actually played in skirts.  We learn about sacrifice and sisterhood in this one, and the reminder : "There is no crying in baseball!"

The Sandlot - 1993 - I did not see this one until a few years ago, and I just had to add it to my collection.  Once again, the characters are just lovable along with their view on the world around them.  I wish all little boys could make friends and grow into men like they did.

The Rookie - 2002 - My favorite scene is the blinking speed limit sign.  This story is one of never giving up on your dreams.  You just never know when they might come true. And then they do a movie and Dennis Quaid portrays you.

And in the category of "Haven't seen yet but sure to be on my list":

Moneyball - 2011- Because I like stories about folks who think outside the box and succeed.

42 - 2013 - Because I read a book about Jackie Robinson when I was younger and was quite impressed by him.  If we could all learn to use our talents and overcome obstacles, just think what we could accomplish!

Great.  Now I want a bucket of popcorn, an ice cold drink, and a rainy Saturday afternoon.  Or maybe just some peanuts and Cracker Jacks.

For Love of the Game

When I told my hubby that I wanted to do a blog about baseball, his response was "How original."  When I then told him my title, once again I heard "How original."  Yes, I know that there was a movie about baseball with Kevin Costner entitled "For Love of the Game."  He has an annoying ability to remember a lot of movie quotes and then to quote them when I don't really want to hear them.

"Negative, Ghost Rider, the pattern is full."

"That's all I have to say about that."

And the worst:  "Yes Mrs. McLintock!, Of course, Mrs. McLintock, Indeed Mrs. McLintock!"

But I digress.

I wanted to do a blog about baseball because it is almost Father's Day and because I do have a love for the game because of my dad. 

A recent survey showed that baseball is America's second favorite sport, behind football.  The survey also revealed that baseball's popularity increased with the age ranges.  I think this is directly related to the memories that a person has related to the sport.   Although I am not in the Baby Boomer generation of the survey, I am sure they remember pick-up games in sandlots or fields with their buddies. It was just fun.

I grew up watching, and loving, the Big Red Machine. I was so obsessed with that team, I can probably still tell you all the starting players' names and positions.   I collected Topps baseball cards for years, and still have them today.   I eagerly looked forward to walking to Ralph's, the little country store just down the road from our house, to get a pack of cards.   I can still remember the smell of the gum and cardboard when opening the package.  I worked hard for 25 cents with hopes of getting a Johnny Bench or Pete Rose card.  They were my role models.  I know that Pete Rose fell from grace and has lost (at this time) any hope of being in the Hall of Fame.  But one cannot deny his playing ability and his hustle; that is why he was nicknamed "Charlie Hustle".  And Johnny Bench was the reason I wanted to play catcher on my softball teams.  Even at a young age, I recognized that it was desirable for someone to give 100% effort in whatever he does.

My love for the majors then grew into a love for the minors.  Growing up not too far from Nashville gave us the opportunity to watch the Sounds a few times, and I am currently hoping to retire and be an usher for the Huntsville Stars one day.   I love the atmosphere at a minor league park.  The fans talk about the players as if they are their neighbors.  The parks are smaller, and therefore, closer to the field and the action.  Almost any night will find a promotion taking place with cheaper tickets or some kind of giveaway.   And I love some of the team names.  My favorite crazy names are the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, the Savannah Sand Gnats, and the Montgomery Biscuits.  When I go to a minor league park, I like to think that I am experiencing baseball like it was in the old days, when guys didn't play for money, but because they enjoyed the camaraderie and just plain ol' playin' ball.

But really I love Little League.  Not travel ball, but real, boys-of-summer, kid-pitch, base-stealing, baseball.   The batters try to emulate their heroes with their swings and stances and are so humorous at times.  I truly enjoy watching an intense 9 year old catcher who thinks he can make that throwdown to second.  The look on the players' faces after they slide into home and score, even though there was no need to slide, is priceless, as well as the moan from the mom who has to bleach those white pants-AGAIN.  And what is better than to see a little feller hustle down the first base line and be safe after the crowd is convinced he is out with the dribbler to the pitcher?  Only see him crush one over the fence when he gets older.

I choose to ignore the overbearing parents in the stands that can take away from my fun.  I prefer rather to remind myself that while I am enjoying watching my friends' kids play baseball, my dad is doing the same thing in a small town in Tennessee, just like we did when I was growing up.  It was the social event of the evening, and it was definitely the best place to get a hot dog and a snow cone --  if you brought the foul ball to the concession stand.  And I know there are countless hundreds across the country doing the exact same thing.

You may be wondering about the baseball team picture that I have posted.  The picture was taken of a baseball team at Clark AFB in the Philippines around the spring of 1963.  My dad helped coach these kids.   I remember asking him when I was little "How did y'all coach them, if they didn't speak English?"   Apparently, the players were a mix of American and Filipinos on the base, but he said they just kinda figured it out.  Baseball provided a way for unity between these two cultures, which I think is just awesome.  

So I want to say "Thank you" to all of my friends and former Bible class students that keep the spirit of baseball alive and provide me the opportunity to wax nostalgic every spring.

"Play ball!"