My job was to chase down foul balls and return them to the umpire so the game moved along smoothly.

I was good at my job too – and it made an indelible impression on my tiny brain.  In fact, to this day, anytime a ball is fouled off I JUMP right away out of my seat (before sheepishly sitting back down amid the stares).

Old habits die hard.

One player made a strong impression on me.  His name was Johnny and he was the coolest, most hip player on the team. 

I idolized Johnny.

Johnny took a liking to me, and paid extra attention to me – even created a signal – a flick of the wrist – that when he did it, I’d be compelled to repeat it – to the entertainment of his teammates.

I can’t tell you how disappointed I was, several years later, when I heard that Johnny had been arrested and spent 3 days in jail for drunk driving.

This was devastating news to me.

Through the years I’d run across him now and then – but I never felt the same about him.

Many years later I thought about my idol when someone confided that they had looked up to me when I was in high school. 

I had never given it a thought when I was competing, that you're a role model – whether you're a good one or a bad one is up to you.

Just like Johnny had never given a thought when he played baseball.

A wise mentor once told me:  No matter what you do, small eyes are watching you.  Make sure they see something they can look up to.

Randy

which led one of my wrestlers to suggest erecting a statue of Guy Fieri downtown.

Hence you scoff, this name change petition has now generated over 119,000 signatures.

As off the wall as all this sounds, imagine the possibilities, living in a place called Flavortown.

 The following tradition, tweaked for today’s times:

Fans attending Columbus Clippers games used to sing along to this song:  “Columbus Clippers ring your bell” and ring cowbells incessantly until people threw up.

Now?

Fans could ring a dinner bell instead.

Columbus was once known as a cow Town, hence the cowbells. 

Now?

“Steak Town.”


Even the beloved Buckeyes may have to make a change to their logo.  May I suggest the following:




Scrumptious.

If you’re hungry for training, and you don’t want to wait for statues to be built and towns renamed, go here for all the delicious details.

Then come back here to register while there’s still space (some groups have already reached capacity and are closed, so don’t delay if you want in).


Randy