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Show and fitness Competition, recreation Review Wednesday June 17, 1987 1C; tr baseball Vaguely resembling Tagging a runner from the Orioles is Kara Halls, KAYSVILLE Whats better entertainment than a $3 ticket to the Mosquito Coast? Free admission to local pro base- ball games. Twice a week, prestigious teams like the Yankees, Angels, Giants and Orioles play in Kaysville. Well its not the major league, its and Abner Doubleday, father of baseball, would be proud. For in this reduced-siz- e baseball game, future Babe Ruths and Pete Roses are cutting their proverbial teeth. George Miles, coach of the Angels, said about the game, It vaguely resembles baseball. Despite the only vague resemblance, the game is popular enough that 336 Kaysville children make up 24 teams, according to Vicki Leo, director and city recreation employee. In fact she turned away almost 50 because in Kaysthe rosters were full. To play ville youve got to be the first one in line, she said. What everyone is clamoring for is a chance to play what has been called the national pasin spite of a few Blissing elements. time True, there is a bat, a ball and a diamond and the missing parts arent needed in a game played for the fun of it. T-b- all ,s , 'u ' t w , 7 , V ' - ( i ,5 . 4 '' ' - 2 s "VV'-- j t :f' V 3 Z--1 U-V I mi T-b- all f r Y,;1 V, y-- x v 1 f y wfi , v ' i v t ' s , v V x?' ? s yy ' j N ' ? 4 v - Whats missing? An umpire to track outs or runs. A pitcher who pitches. And a record of wins and losses. Despite those missing elements the play goes on enthusiastically, for the essence of is essence of the game. the play In both kids and parents cheer the play, whether the base runner makes it home or is tagged out at first Two things are most obvious in a game. . The players are much shorter than you might expect That can be easily explained because in the Kaysville league they are younger than 8 years, though in some other cities they can be as old as 9, Leo said. And instead of home plate, there is a tall plastic pole on which the ball is placed for the batter to swing at or When a batter comes to the plate he she gets to swing until a hit is made that goes at least halfway to the pitchers circle. Pitchers circle? Yes, a ring drawn where the mound usually is. The circle is an important component in the game because can throw all 13 of them the fielders the ball into the pitcher and stop the action of the game. If a base runner is farther than halfway when the ball stops in the circle he may take the base and conversely, if hes not quite to the mark he goes back. A batter cant walk or strike out while at bat. Any hit will do, whether its one that pops up to be caught or one grounded to roll between a fielders legs, the batter must hit the ball for play to happen. And every team member bats every ininning though there arent such things as nings. The game lasts an hour with no regard to times at bat or total score. Some of the parents keep score, though, is to learn the baMiles said, but since the sics of sportsmanship and ground rules of baseball no official score is kept. From that there is no winloss records or standing or winners and losers. But in the game where a bat, a ball, a diamond and 14 kids get together to play, there are only winners. ll, T-b- V t yv - ' A. ' 44 s s 10-fo- ot s , - Mi , - , x ,s & . ? f't $ s f ' w " , ' i y t if i ' ' a -- 41 ? j& w I c ? N! s r ' V f j i W 1 f $ , ' ' ' $ , 4 , ' fa ' z '' T-b- Li' V J C a ' ? '$ - t&r?"". 4- V With a swing and a miss Jason Twede (left) takes his turn while in the field he waits for action to come his way. : i - at bat, .v. 4 r Brad Barcklay of the Kaysville Angels. f r:l r; About to get beaned by a bouncing ball is Story and photographs by Robert Regan : |