Coaching the Little League team, I watched as the batter fouled off a pitch.  Then another.  Then another.  Then a few more.  No really, it must have been a dozen.  Or two.  Regardless, it was a bunch.

Eventually, he struck out swinging and returned to the dugout.  Since he was scheduled to catch next inning, I started helping him with his gear.  “Hey bud, nice at-bat, you were up there so long, I became eligible for my pension.” Chuckles soon came from eavesdropping parents.  I was on fire and it was time to capitalize.

“You were up there so long, I grew a beard,” I continued.  Less chuckles, but still a few.  The crowd still wanted one more.  I could feel it.

“You were up there so long, the seasons changed.” A smattering of appreciation and perhaps a giggle.

A lot of material from one at-bat and a new set of parents to amuse.  Oh, life is good and the banter of baseball sounds so sweet.