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Show ;:jf&7j MlaDiinimitanim Its batters up in neighborly Dr. Denton little' league I've seen the major leagues play ball in Yankee and" Tiger stadiums, and I've played in a few casual coed games at City Park. But I think my favorite brand of baseball is being played in the front yard next door to my house. The players range in age from one-and-a-half to 10 years old. The bat and ball are plastic (to cut down on serious injuries). First base is a fence post, second is a lilac bush and third is a frisbee. Home plate is the front walk anywhere on the front walk. And the batting order, is, shall we say, subject to change. The lineup is usually boys against girls, which keeps the game exciting. Then again, unless enough cousins are available, it is everybody against the batter. The batter is allowed from three to 15 strikes. The pitcher can stand anywhere from two giant steps in front of the batter (just far enough back to avoid the swing) to center field. Unless disputed, the pitcher makes the calls strike one, strike two, oops, sorry. The fielder's primary responsibility is to rattle the batter with major league abuse. The older ones usually start it-"Hey batter, batter, hey..."-and the little ones take up the chant in a deafening babble. Fielders are also supposed to lure the man on first off base with offers of gum or candy. Then, while he is unwrapping it, the pitcher nails him. ""Sirice'the toddlers have a. habit of strolling. across home plate, batters and runners both have to be ready to stop on a dime. However, this tactic can also be used to call for replays when the game isn't working out the way the girls planned it. In the little Little League, theatrics on the mound are no less exciting than they are in the World Series. There are windups and rewindups, scuffing up the turf and, of course, tantrums. Last week the entire boys' team, all two of them, sat down in right field with their backs to the dugout and refused to budge. I thought the problem had to do with the girls' decision to allow one of their batters to walk to first and then run the bases when the boys weren't looking. But the heart of the walkout was a serious disagreement about which of them would pitch. It was decided the team needed two relief pitchers and so they alternated after each batter. Uniforms for the after dinner-before bedtime games range from Dr. Dentons (with feet) to Superman and Cabbage Patch pajamas. For the afternoon games, uniforms are bathing suits and rompers. Time-outs are allowed for diaper changes, catching frogs and because mom is calling. Rules undergo constant revision, mostly so that half the field or dugout won't start crying. An obvious foul ball, for instance, if it is the first time that batter has ever connected, may be deemed fair in order to reward a very confused three year old. And when a ball is hit over the fence, " both teams run Tthebases: It's more fun that way. . .. : |