"Take Me Out to The Ball Game" on Opening Day !

Yep, it's that time !! Time to PLAY BALL !! It's been a long and cold winter that has been hard to give up here in Kansas but move over cold, it's time for the game of Summer.

I can't be at the ballpark today in person, so I will be listening to the radio all day, then watching TV. I will be there in my mind, too bad my paying job comes first. I just might have to see what I can do about that and soon.

The first pitch is scheduled for 3:10 pm. An unlikely opening day starter Luke Hochevar will get the honors this year. For his sake I hope he makes the best of it because it's doubtful he will get the top honors next season. Not impossible, but not likely.

Opening day is magical. Just being at the ballpark is special on this day. The kids, who obviously should be in school but nobody gets in trouble. Employees who are always looking  around hoping to NOT see somebody who knows they called in sick. Fans of all ages and dedication levels. A sellout! Usually a flyover from our great military machines ( if we're lucky again, it might even be a Stealth! ). A great version of our National Anthem and honored guest throwing out the first pitch. This year if you have not heard, it will be Mike Sweeney.

Fans will celebrate, laugh and have fun at the old ballpark.

Take me out to the Ballgame..... Go Royals !!

Play Ba..... uh wait, SNOW ?

Perhaps it's fitting that the weather here in Kansas is supposed to break, on Thursday! I would think the "Big Fan" upstairs, is aware that Thursday is the unofficial national holiday known as "Opening Day". Nothing like it. The one day of the season where it's nice to win, but the W means much less than just knowing that baseball is being played.

With that thought comes the reminder that warm days and sunshine are within sight. You can leave after an opening day win and be on cloud nine. But with me, even after an opening day loss I still leave the ballpark with a smile. It's baseball again, and no more snow.

As winter hangs on and drops some fresh snow out of the sky as a reminder that it won't be long until it comes back after October, and after baseball. As I write this, it is 3 days before the first pitch. I woke this morning to a light blanket of snow. Not much, but yes Old Man Winter you are still here although not for long.

Kind of like this season will be for Royals fans, the Royals will lose often but the future is bright. This little bit more of losing will be like a March snow reminder and will make the outlook even better. There is an excitement, you can feel it. The talk is there, the blogs are heating up and the fans are ready. Ready for sunshine, warmth and winning.

Maybe winning on opening day 2012, we WILL need to see a win and please for Thursday, no more snow!