By John Blanchard
College baseball players are well protected these days with helmets, a protective device at the elbow, foot and ankle. The catcher resembles a fellow from another planet with broad chest protector, which covers part of the outer shoulder, helmet, shin guards, mask and other paraphernalia. Forgot to mention gloves which seem to take up a lot of time, unnecessarily while at bat and waiting to step up to the plate. While catching in high school we were fortunate to have a large catcher’s mitt and a chest protector and no shin guards, ever. No helmet, but bats were of wood and we were fans of Ol’ Diz and St. Louis fame since it was the only game we could get on the radio in those days. Diz said, “If you can do it, it ain’t braggin’.” Brother Marion made it to the Southern Association, but Uncle Sam called him and three brothers and it was goodbye to a lot of other things as well. Mama must have had some anxious moments. Sometimes I just cry for her still.
