Dugout Diary by Joe Boesch

Baseball — A Poem  Singing of the anthem, roasting of peanuts. America's game known to many. Consisting of bats, balls and bases. Swinging of the bat, grounding of the ball. Nine innings of play with the most runs prevailed. Known by the names of Babe and Catfish also the Judge too.  America's Pastime known as the game of baseball. — Joe Boesc

Here's an inspirational quote from Al Lopez: "Do what you love to do and give it your very best. Whether it's business or baseball, or the theater, or any field. If you don't love what you're doing and you can't give it your best, get out of it. Life is too short. You'll be an old man before you know it." — Al Lopez — Joe Boesch

Now that the Little League playoffs are in full swing and teams will hopefully make their way to Williamsport, two MLB teams that will be there are the Phillies and Nationals. They are scheduled on August 20th to play in the MLB Little League Classic Roy Campanella put it best on playing baseball with this quote:  "You gotta be a man to play baseball for a living, but you gotta have a lot of little boy in you too."   Until then see ya at the park!

Leaving for vacation and will try to get an answer. Which ballpark? Yankees, Mets, Ducks, etc. is the destination. Until then, see ya at the park! — Joe Boesch

The season has about just two-months left of playing baseball, and pretty much one can see the good, bad and ugly baseball teams. The  Yankees  surprisingly are on the lower spectrum as one of the ugly teams playing. What was predicted pre-season as the team to beat, turned into the Yankees being in the cellar for a good part of the season. Is it still too early for the prediction such as: "the Yankees might not make it to the post season?" That's a good question? They are 5.5 games out of the Wild Card and can the Yankees pull some magic. One only knows? — Joe Boesch

At the moment, I'm reading  Ira Berkow's  new book:  Full Swing: Hits, Runs and Errors in a Writer's Life.  His writing is exceptional and as a young writer, I sought his  expertise  on writing and how I can become a better writer. I've been asked by many, including some on  MLBlogs , my road to writing. Well, it's not easy and I must say I've had  good times  and  bad  with it. Though, I don't discourage anyone from being a  writer , it takes a lot of  hardwork  and  concentration  to make it. So, in saying, I would like to share a  letter  from  Ira Berkow  and others on becoming a  writer. Dear Joe Boesch: It's been a little busy around here so it's taken me some time to get around to responding to your letter. My  first suggestion , above all others, is to  read, read, read . Read all the good writers you can lay your hands and eyes on. That's true for anyone who wishes...

My dad told me, 'If you're going to go out there and play baseball, or you're going to play basketball or football, work hard at it no matter what. I want you to have fun with your buddies, but you have to put in the time because this is your craft.' He didn't just want me to be good. He pushed me to that next level.  — Aaron Judge — Joe Boesch