I for one came "this close" to playing in the minor leagues in the early 80s.
While I was in the Marines, I took a 30-day leave to tryout for a team on the East Coast. I was a LHP and had a cannon around 85-90 mph and I was a switch hitter.
I informed my superiors that I will be signing a professional contract. The Marine Corps higher-up said, "No. Permission denied." I had to fulfill my obligation. I did. I hung up my cleats and glove. Never picked up another baseball again.
Some of the players I met during that tryout made it to The Show and eventually got their WS rings. It did my heart good to know they did it. I choose to keep their names private. We keep in touch. They no longer play baseball.
My version of a "Field of Dreams."
I played a lot of softball. Six nights a week. Pitcher, catcher, 1B, OF. Played Southern California Softball Associaton (SCSA) slo-pitch tournaments on weekends in Orange County in the late 80s and early to mid-90s. I played on one team and we were the only team in SCSA history to win back-to-back tournaments during one weekend. Good memories.
Hernitated disc, sciatica, hamstring tears of the black-and-blue variety forced me to hang it up for good. I wound up dismantling all my trophies (about 60) and throwing them in the dumpster. I kept the marble from some of the trophies. The trophies are gone but the memories remain.
Then, along comes Whitney...my Mecca West...my trophy.
I may "hang up" the packs, but they soon come down again.
Have fun.
