Time to play ball

Spring Training is coming to an end, finally, and everyone from players to media to grounds crews and probably even fans are relieved. It's too long. It is to get in condition to start the season, not to feel worn down and tired. It's that time of year when everyone involved in baseball is ready to go north and feel the freshness of spring in the air. Opening Day for the baseball fan and player is a special time.

I've had some nice warm feelings this spring that I haven't experienced for a while. I have come out of retirement and gotten 'back in the game'. Mainly, I have my friend and business associate, Elizabeth Schumacher, to thank for that, and encouragement from other friends like Tim McCarver. I was given the opportunity to cover the World Baseball Classic on MLB International by my friend, Russ Gabay. It was a great experience. Now that it is over, and I read the comments from players like David Wright and the Latino and Asian stars that played for their countries, I have a whole new outlook on the WBC.

If the USA stars that don't participate are not motivated to play, maybe the USA should be denied an invitation in 2013. The enthusiasm from the other countries is tremendous. I won't live long enough to see it but it could eventually be the real 'World Series' of baseball. It will always have flaws as long as the Major League season is 162 games and Major League clubs are paying the salaries of the star players. But, with sensible leadership and thoughtfulness it can be a great event. I've heard from long-time colleagues like Buck Martinez and Buster Olney that maybe two rounds could be played in March in a short period of time and the semifinals and final game during the All-Star break. Not a bad idea. Let's keep brainstorming until we come upon the best plan.

One thing we have found out is that 'we' the U.S., don't own the game. There are players all around the globe that can really play and they're going to get better because they're beginning to play at an early age as players from my era did. We didn't have as many other sports to grab our attention in the 1940s and 50s and now kids in the U.S. do. Baseball is the top attraction in many other countries. I actually wish it could be played again sooner than 2013. I'm eager to see it again.

Covering Pool D in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and seeing what a team like the Netherlands could accomplish by beating a star-studded team like the Dominican Republic gives me the same feeling as seeing an unranked and unnoticed college basketball team advance in the NCAA tourney. It's inspiring stuff.

I had another warm moment last week in Clearwater, Fla. As a member of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, I participated in a game against the U.S. Military All-Stars. It was staged to benefit the Cal Ripken Jr. Foundation (I had no idea they even had a military team). It was a very cool moment to catch the ceremonial first pitches from six soldiers who were transported from a helicopter to a spot behind the mound at beautiful Bright House Field. The shortstop on the U.S .Military team has two purple hearts and is a machine gunner who serves in Iraq. They range in age from 19 to their late 40s and they love the game. Dan Duquette, former general manager of the Boston Red Sox, is heading up the effort to get these guys more exposure. They travel the globe playing baseball while they serve their country as well. Former President George H.W. Bush restarted the baseball program for the military in 1992. I hope to be a part of it and teach their pitchers whatever I can to help them improve.

Well, less than two weeks away and the real fun starts. Can Tampa Bay repeat? Are the Yankees going to be the Yankees again? Will Chris Carpenter come back after missing almost two seasons and win another Cy Young award. Will Derek Jeter still be an effective shortstop at 35? I can't believe he's 35. It seems like I just met him and his parents, Charles and Dorothy, yesterday when he was 20!

Let's play ball.