The Old Man at the Baseball Game

The old man at the baseball game sat in his usual seat in the bleachers. The chair he sat in was propped up for his comfort. He'd been coming to the game as long as the oldest person remembers, and even they were children when they first encountered him. So in essence no one really knew his age. Many people say even he doesn't know his correct age, but that's hard to believe with all the wisdom glowing all around him.

People would greet the old man at the baseball game first. The fans made this an honorary tradition, many had become accustomed to this greeting. Before the national anthem people would salute him as a token of their respect and regard for his presence at the game. Even when people came late, and missed the traditional greeting, they would approach him at the end of the game to give him their respect. Yet it was mystifying because no one realized that his presence never left the stadium or so it would appear after everyone left the fans just thought he left also, but somehow he just vanished, so it would appear.  He was here and then he wasn't here, this went on for years. Where he went no one knows, but long as he was at the game the old man at the baseball game was a fantastic welcomed treat.

Where the Old Man at the Baseball Game sat was comfortably among the children with their parents close by they'd be laughing and playing. They all listened to the wondrous tales about his childhood, the parents included. He spoke of the different ball games he played as a child, and how different they were from this game being played, but the baseball game is an event that has captivated his imagination.  He enjoyed the gatherings, and the closeness it would bring among families and friends in times of happiness. Tho, his faith is strong the children saw in the Old Man At the Baseball Game's eyes that he is spiritually good and blessed.  Their care for him was strong, as you could hear the children upon entering the stadium, "mommy, mommy, let's go see the Old Man!" they'd say.

You could hear in the background as the announcers announced the game "you have two runners on, with two outs in the bottom of the second, a swing and a miss, that's the end of the second inning.'

The Old Man At The Baseball game was good for rallying the troops behind whatever team the fans were rooting for, it didn't matter to him long as the amusement was a pleasure to the people enjoying the game. The amusement was the spirit of the fans that he enjoyed to the utmost when their enjoyment was to the fullest he was just so immense with the thrill of the people to see them so happy. Many shunned the beer, and alcoholic beverages in his presence, they didn't even smoke around him, as if they saw the unwritten law that they shouldn't desecrate their bodies because they felt it would violate everything he stands for.

The Old Man At The Baseball Game seemed to help the men in their daily lives whether he was giving advice on marital situations, career advice, or just soothing conversation to a weary or frustrated man with no way out. He had the mystical voice of wisdom that seems to make everything well in that moment, and the women appreciated him also, he made them feel comfortable with the words of divine intervention as a direct method of showing them how important their roles are as women. Simply, many sought his counsel, and afterward were always glad they came to him for an answer to unanswered questions.

Many bursts of laughter could be heard throughout the stadium. No one cared about the loud noises because many had been part of the same outburst before. The extra noise is what made it so pleasant coming to the games in the first place because it was most always associated with the old man at the baseball game. It was a good thing that the owners of the stadium, installed a microphone on his chair. many observed the solemn presence of the Old Man At The Baseball Game, truly to all it was a blessing to hear him say prayer, even those, whom didn't believe received chills of unexplained joy in their hearts at the end of his prayers. Many enjoyed when he would say "Our Father who art in heaven, Hollow be thine name, Thine Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven, give this day our daily bread and forgives us our trespasses as we forgive those whom trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the Kingdom, and the Glory forever and ever, amen."

He's amazing, and always shed light on the matter, after his prayers the thunderous roar would just echo for moments in time.  It was just exhilarating being in the echo itself because even the echo was consumed with the spirit of happiness, The Old Man At The Baseball Game always had this riveting influence on the fans, no matter where it was, he just rejuvenated the spirit of the people and even the game became more exciting. He made the nights easy, and the weekends relaxed, and in the background you heard the Announcer say, "ladies and gentlemen it's the top of the fifth and the score is 2 to 2 and the home teams is out in the field, while the players are taking their positions don't forget to enjoy the Old Man At the Baseball Game, he's a delight for the whole family."

Maybe it should be mentioned here, the Old Man at the Baseball game's chair is adorned in a most beautiful color of purple you've ever seen. It's like he received the mighty color from heaven itself. The gold is spectacular in the way it outlined the purple, and the remnants draped in white is simply dazzling to your sight. I mean the color white seems as pure as the clouds above, and that's what's so amazing about the colors they seemed hand picked by something beyond this hemisphere.  Again, the chair The Old Man At The Baseball Game sat in was like a throne, the plush carpeting around it is as soft as soft can be, you know how sometimes you just can't describe something in your mind's ability to comprehend. Well this is one of those times. He's worth everyday you come to the game whether it be for the whole season or once in a while he made the trip worth while coming to the baseball game.

If you took off from work or school it didn't matter because a lesson was being taught well beyond the schools ability to teach the children, and working on human communication was better than struggling at work to fit in on days you simply wanted to be alone, the Old Man at the Baseball Game is patient, he explains how patience is one of the most important virtues a person can have in their daily life. He described how the virtue is one even Jesus strive to pursue on earth as He educated the flock of people whom gathered around him in supplication and prayer. He exclaimed! "men who walked away from the virtues of a divine man like Jesus to pursue things unrecognizable to the spirit are lost, and should redirect their life in a positive manner."                                                

The Old Man at the Baseball Game said, "for the Messiah has been misunderstood by many, but rest assure he did not misunderstand his purpose for being here among us as his deed represent the good in man and woman and for a woman and man's clear understanding, and this everyone can be assured of even unto this day."

The Old Man At the Baseball Game would not accept money for his words, works, or presence. He'd tell the people up front not to give him money, for it would do him no good as he is set by his own fortification. Even then his mannerism were polite and kind as not to be arrogant of disrespectful to the adoring fans. His words would resonant the echoes of Jesus as he would say, "Trust in God and understand the testimony of Jesus, as the Messiah, he is good to all, as he is the benefactor of truth, the same as your kindness is being bestowed upon me. Thank Heavens for all the people at the game for their support for me is a contribution to be made to the needy." With that said, many would take money out of their pockets to donate and contribute to a needy cause just because they needed to feel they were doing something good.

He was profounded in many ways, and he remained a mystery for many years to many people. Especially after the time, the Great Bald Eagle flew over the stadium. The Eagle circled the stadium about four times. On the fifth time around the Eagle dove gracefully towards the Old Man At The Baseball Game, the Eagle was regal and majestic in its flight, and as it came closer the Eagle began to glide smoothly towards the arm of the chair where the Old Man At The Baseball Game sat. The Eagle landed, and what seemed to be a completely astonishing mystery is when the Eagle gave the Old Man At The Baseball Game eye contact, and then nodded his head up and down as if he were communicating telepathically with the Old Man At The Baseball Game. People Stopped what they were doing, a silence fell over the stadium, people across the field used binoculars to look towards this direction to se what was happening, you could see the players coming out of the dugout to see this magnificent feat occurring before everyone.  The umpires called timeout for what seemed an eternity of curiosity. The announcers had nothing to say, everyone's attention was focused on one area of the stadium. They were actually speaking to each other, the Eagle let out a loud series of what seemed to be laughs, I know it sounds crazy, but you had to be there to witness the event. We couldn't believe what was happening either, but it was, it was remarkable, everyone was stumped, even though we should have expected something like this the whole thing wow, oowee just amazing, and before our vary eyes the two were communicating like old friends. The Eagle stayed until the Game was officially over, then as suddenly as he appeared, he disappeared.

Over time I became even more curious about him, not a bad curiosity, but a good one. See, I've worked here at the stadium for 28 going on 29 years, so every event, and every game, I've said something to him, even if it was just hi how are you doing today? I never took any of the others time away from them so they could enjoy The Old Man At The Baseball Game. No matter what, he was always available to me, on good days as well as bad days, and there were very, very few bad days that I can recall in the last 28 almost 29 years.  I've experienced such joy and admiration for this one person who gave his all to The Holy Creator. In a way you can say it's my job to be around him, but my station is at Gate G, and The Old Man At The Baseball Game is all the way on the other side in the bleachers, but I didn't care because I could always use the excuse, I'm making my rounds checking out the safety of the stadium, most times my co workers knew what was going on because they've done it as much as I have. He was our High Priest, myster, friend, confidant, and plain ole good time. I tell you for real too, it is like the manifestation of The Holy Spirit surrounding him at all times; even though, it was actually the people at the game surrounding him, and we were the children chasing him in a game of hide n seek that he always won.  You'll soon understand what I'm talking about.

Well, it's twilight time of the baseball game with it being in the bottom of the ninth inning, and the last game of the season. So now you can barely hear the people hollering and screaming in the excitement of the baseball game. The quietness is the usual sound as people are aware of what time it is, it's almost time to go, many pray for extra innings, sometimes they'd get their wish when The Old Man At The Baseball Game senses there needs to be a cooling off period for those who may have drunk to much, maybe, or a little more tired than they realize, but many times for some reason all of a sudden it's a rally and poof just like that it's extra innings. You can feel the tension rising, even the pitcher tries to stall the game, by giving an intentional balk to the batter, walking the players for the fans satisfaction. Then the pitcher would lob the ball back and forth between first and second bases to stall even more.  Nobody mind what he was doing. There would be no booing only yells of thanks, and happiness being returned for the pitchers kind generosity to the fans.

So now the game is over, and the end of the season has come once again. We didn't secure the Conference Championship, but no one was more grateful to have been a part of the season and being with the Old Man At The Baseball Game than I was. Oh, I know there are thousands of fans feeling the same as I do, and it's ok because the Old Man At The Baseball Game is a gift to us all. Now comes the usual practice of me, and three other Stadium Guards trying to catch him leaving.

For years, we've tried hiding in various spots unknown to spectators. We've had binoculars and telescopes keyed in on his every movement. At this time of season we make plans to catch him this time like the last time.  I believe The Old Man At The Baseball Game knew what we were doing year after year, but it's to his amusement because he allows us to play our little cat and mouse game, and we did year after year.  Each time something happens, then he's not there anymore, I mean The Old Man At The Baseball Game is there or here or somewhere, but people inner act with him, he's not a myth or is he, don't seem like he's something out of the ordinary, but he is, is he from beyond the wisdom of our minds and straight out of heaven?

I see him very clear, I radioed to one of my partners, and he had the Old Man At The Baseball Game in his sights. There he's making his move, The Old Man At The Baseball Game has gotten out of his seat, "man is he tall, isn't angles said to be as tall as tall can be?"

He is going upwards towards the upper row of the bleachers, The Old Man At The Baseball Game is walking slowly upwards, I see him climbing the steps slowly one at a time, suddenly I heard a click on the radio reached over to pick it up, "did you see where he went?" The voice came over the radio said.

I tried to look back towards the same spot, but it was to late he had vanished.  We couldn't comprehend what  just happened, we looked away for a split second and he was gone again. I call the other men stationed in the secret spots, they said they didn't see him come by their way, what is this, how does he do this every year, seems as though we should be getting better at catching him, but were not, but oh well, it's fun trying to catch him.  It's like he's playing with us until the vary end. Now it's time for the stadium to close, time for us to punch out and go home, but you can best believe that when next season comes, we'll be ready again for The Old Man At The Baseball Game's presence, good tidings, and most of all when he is preparing to leave, we'll get him next season, but I said that last season too.

The End

written by Gayland Coles