Take Me Out To The Ball Game!

JOSEPH MARTIN SIGNS WITH BVPL ANGELS FOR SPRING 2008

By Michelle "Mommy" Martin

Daily Gazette

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- March 29, 2008, BVPL (Blossom Valley Pony League) Opening Day Ceremonies.

Hundreds were in attendance to hear commencement talks, enjoy carnival-style games, delicious food, and camaraderie. Slightly cooler temperatures and soggy fields were not enough to squelch the day’s excitement. Among the players was our very own Joseph Martin. Having just ended the season with the YMCA Warriors, Joseph is wasting no time. Dressed in red, white, and blue, Joseph is ready to play America's favorite pastime. Go Angels!!

"Take me out to the ball game,

Take me out with the crowd.

Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack,

I don't care if I never get back,

Let me root, root, root for the home team,

If they don't win it's a shame.

For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,

At the old ball game."

A bit of history: This song was written in 1908 by a man named Jack Norworth. One day when he was riding a New York City subway train, he spotted a sign that said "Ballgame Today at the Polo Grounds." Some baseball-related lyrics popped into his head, that were later set to some music by Albert Von Tilzer, to become the well known baseball song, "Take Me Out To The Ballgame." Despite the fact that neither Norworth or Tilzer had ever been to a baseball game at the time the song was written, it is one of the most widely sung songs in America.

(Source: http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/lyrics/ballgame.htm)

The audio visual recording of the song was played on a 1900 Autophone Roller Organ. To learn more about this interesting instrument, visit www.theantiquesalmanac.com/rollerorgan.htm or http://home.vicnet.net.au/~wolff/mechmusic/GemRollerOrgan/Gem.htm

More pictures....

Following in his sister's footsteps, it seems rather fitting that, by pure coincidence, both Joseph and Danielle were assigned the No. 1 jersey.

EXTRA!! EXTRA!! Read all about it!!

DANIELLE MARTIN HITS A GRAND SLAM,
12-8 VICTORY FOR CRUSADERS

By Michelle “Mommy” Martin
Daily Gazette

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- It’s the bottom of the 2nd inning. Bases are loaded. The score: 0-0. Danielle Martin is next at bat. She walks up to the plate just outside the batter’s box and takes a few practice swings. Good follow-through. She enters the batter’s box, her feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent. With her aluminum bat, she taps home plate to signal she is ready. She wraps her hands firmly around the bat and raises it to eye-level. Her arms flexed, prepared to absorb the shock when her bat collides with the ball. She turns her head to face the pitcher, her chin just above the left shoulder, her countenance showing no signs of nervousness. The pitcher takes a few moments to survey the situation. Danielle maintains her stance, looking statuesque. The pitcher launches the first pitch, a wild one that nearly hits Danielle. Instinctively, she squats to avoid being hit. “Ball!” yells the umpire. Unshaken, Danielle assumes position while the pitcher tries to regain her focus. Decisively, the second pitch is thrown right in the strike zone. Danielle seizes the moment and hits the ball with one powerful sweep. The ball is catapulted to an unmanned section in centerfield. A Grand Slam! One by one, the four Crusaders make it safely to home plate securing an early lead to a victorious outcome.

JOSEPH MARTIN BEGINS SPORTS CAREER
WITH YMCA WARRIORS

By Michelle "Mommy" Martin
Daily Gazette

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Joseph Martin, younger brother of Danielle Martin, makes his debut in the sports scene. Beginning with a 10-week stint in the YMCA basketball league, Joseph proved himself a worthy opponent. To say that Joseph eats, lives, breathes, basketball is a fair and accurate statement. And although Joseph’s enthusiasm for the sport currently exceeds his skill level, he puts forth his best effort in every game. And in so doing, he has shown marked improvement in speed, agility, and skill. In his coach’s words, “Joseph has turned out to be a great point-guard.” Joseph looks cool and collected in possession of the ball, moving slowly at first, like a cougar watching a herd of deer. The sound of the ball bouncing on the court is like a slow, steady drumbeat. Gradually, the tempo increases as Joseph sees a narrow opening and runs to have a closer shot at making a basket. However, he is soon surrounded by a pack of defensive players like lions to a zebra. He hovers over the ball, dribbling faster now, all the while looking for an open teammate. When, over his shoulder, Joseph sees a fellow Warrior with his arms outstretched. Joseph pivots and passes the ball to his teammate who, in turn, scores for the Warriors. Now that’s teamwork!

F.A.M.I.L.Y.

Faithfulness And Meaningfulness In Loving Yahweh

Family. That, for me, is what it’s all about. We would merely be an empty vessel if not for the love of our family and our F.A.M.I.L.Y. Family is a like a big, soft blanket that, when wrapped around us, is a wellspring of warmth, security, joy, strength, courage, confidence, faith, hope, and love. F.A.M.I.L.Y. is fulfilled when we are able to give and receive those gifts unconditionally. Through God’s grace, gifts abound: The gift of solace when we are troubled. The gift of wisdom at a crossroads. The gift of patience when time seems to stand still. The gift of compassion when we are tired and weary. The gift of understanding when we blunder. The gift of forgiveness when we trespass against another. The gift of faith when tragedy strikes. The gift of hope to propel our dreams. The gift of love when we feel alone in the world. Gifts beyond measure.

My cup runneth over with God’s blessings of good health and a loving family. May we all continue to grow in our F.A.M.I.L.Y.