Today’s lesson is in perspective, and that is defined on multiple levels. Perspective, specifically: the vantage point from which someone watches a baseball game changes their impression; how the passage of time changes the way people look at things; and, in the hindsight form, were we insane for running five miles in the morning, playing golf immediately afterward, then attending two games in two different cities? In any event, the highlights:

*Golf was definitely worthwhile once again. Rocket and Crentist struck the ball slightly better than the other day, so they were happy. And we joined up with a single for the final three holes, providing the day’s memorable exchange. He was a gentleman perhaps around age 40-45, and he was joking about how since his wife just got a promotion he was going to tell her he was going to quit his job and play golf every day. We laughed and asked how that would go over in his house. And he said, well, they hadn’t been getting along very well the past couple of years and that she had a boyfriend now. Oh. All three of us must have looked so stunned that he would say that, causing him to follow up with the line of the day: “That’s just reality, gentlemen.”

*We watched the Indianapolis/Columbus game from right behind the Indianapolis bullpen (picture). We watched the bored pitchers and catchers play a cup spinning game and generally give each other a hard time. During the seventh inning stretch, one of them kindly suggested that instead of looking at the field we should perhaps be looking into the stands in one particularly scenic area. We shall not delve into particulars, but the words “hey, we’re professionals,” were uttered.

*The Indy game ended at 4:22 — blissfully short for a 2 p.m. start. We hopped into the car and blazed a trail for Fort Wayne, which was playing South Bend in a 7 p.m. Class A game. Everyone in the car was beat from the hot sun, but we made it by the bottom of the first inning. We were right behind home plate, surrounded by Fort Wayne diehards. We chatted with a man and woman who were acting as a host family for two of the players. They were a wealth of Fort Wayne trivia, indicating that Alex Rodriguez hit his first professional home run there, and that Fort Wayne was the site of the first-ever night baseball game. That latter claim is disputed here. It was Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Night, so “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” was sung in both English and Spanish. That seemed to unnerve a woman behind us, who didn’t care for the Spanish version and sang the English version loudly while the Spanish version was being sung. Ah, the tensions of a medium-sized city during an economic downturn.

We got back to the luxurious Howard Johnson (near the ballpark) around 10:15. So. Tired.

Today’s agenda: 9 a.m. departure for Detroit, and a 1 p.m. game vs. the Blue Jays. That will be three ballparks, three leagues, in less than 24 hours. Today’s question, then, is simple: Are we crazy?

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