No baseball weather in Casper

While in Casper for conferences this past week, I started each morning with a walk on the town's trail along the North Platte. The river is in view most of the time, and there are a few places where you can park your keister on a bench and just watch the river flow. On one lookout, I stood and watched dark clouds boil over Casper Mountain. It had snowed overnight and the mountain range was white against the gray-brown prairie. The city was just waking up.

On my way back, I passed Mike Lansing Field (built by the Casperite who once played with Colorado) where the Class A Casper Rockies play each summer. I've been in the stands here to watch games against Idaho Falls and Billings. In early August, I took the family to a Colorado Rockies game against Milwaukee. Little did we know then what the MLB Rockies were capable of. Now they're in the World Series against the Sox or the Indians.

Baseball fields look odd outside the parameters of summer. The wind blows harsh from the West and yellow leaves skitter across the infield. The outfield grass is still green but no skinny 19-year-old from Texarkana is out there shagging flies. No day for sitting in the stands for a 14-inning pitcher's duel. But then I think: the Colorado Rockies will probably be playing ball in this weather in Denver. Bring your parka, football blanket, and something warming to drink.

Go Rockies!