Rain delays and rain outs are expected until Friday for area baseball practices and games. "Baseball at the Box" tonight could be a rain out or at least a delay and the big series this weekend with Florida should find improving weather. Baseball for us, in our younger days, began in May and ended in August. Our Little League baseball seasons started with a traditional “tryout.” Each kid, with glove in hand, warmed up by playing “catch” and also donning a sign, pinned to the back of their sweatshirt. This sign displayed a huge number that corresponded to the player, and registered his age and any relationships with previous family members and teams. Some kids were grandfathered into a team because an older brother played for a sponsoring organization. The league included: The Elks, The Moose, The Kiwanis, The Lions, The American Legion and The Rotary. Our brothers, Denis and Mike, always played for The Elks as it was assumed that we were also going to do the same. However, Don Huffman wanted Pat and Kevin to join his team, The Rotary. As members of The Rotary another fund-raiser for the teams included, "Poppy-Day."  All of the teams would descend into town on a designated Saturday to solicit contributions in support of the league. All aspects of the game of baseball were practiced and a practice ending shower resulted in “sliding” practice. Hook slides, hand slides and leg tuck slides were practiced. Mom wasn’t very pleased with the muddied, grass stained “jeans” that came in the back door.