Dugout Diary by Joe Boesch

Several years ago, I had an idea to put together a baseball anthology and have it published. I placed an ad in several publications and online, hoping for a great response. Well, the response was minimal. However, one letter I did receive touched me and made me realize how grounded I am and mymorals and ethics I've established in my personal life. The letter went like this: Dear Mr. Boesch, Thank you for the two books and my poem. I really want to read them. I really liked your poem American Pastime. You mentioned me in your poem as being tomorrow's ball player. I really love baseball. Your friend, John. The second letter was from his mother expressing thanks. Dear Mr. Boesch, I just wanted to let you know how much you touched the heart of my son John. Your gift of books and encouragement came at just the right time. Yesterday John realized that summer vacation would soon be over. He does not look forward to school ("endures") due to his struggle with dyslexia. He tru...

Baseball now will take center stage. The time has come for baseball to resurface, to bring the "Boys of Summer" back. This is the time to say goodbye to Winter, even though the Northeast is getting hammered with cold temperatures, and ring in Spring. The crack of the bat, the pounding of the mitt, the yelling of "playball" is what the game of baseball is about. Baseball shapes America and families that make up America. Baseball shapes the Summer, where more and more families go to the game to cheer on their favorite team. This is the game of all games. Push aside football, basketball and, oh yea, hockey. Baseball is the sport. Spring Training has begun and the media has their eyes set on Florida and Arizona, the training sites for all the teams. What team will be the team this year? Will it be the Rangers again? What about the great rivalry of the Yankees and Red Sox? Will the Astros be in contention? Will the Yankees make it exciting? Only these questions can be an...

With Clayton Kershaw resigning with the Dodgers, the top four free agents are still available. Teams seem to be cautious and not signing players to large contracts so fast, otherwise they would have been signed already.  Here's are the top four still unsigned: Cody Bellinger Blake Snell Jordan Montgomery Matt Chapman It seems to be a wait and see approach with one-year deals more of the norm not the large extended deals players seek. Until then, see ya at Spring Training! — Joe Boesch 

The thing about baseball is that it never stops like the world. From the smell of the fresh cut grass in April to the roar of the crowd in October, it's continuous music to a National Pastime lover. As we get ready for daylight savings time, many are waiting for Spring Training to begin. Many are waiting to get the grill going and listening to the game on the radio (well "Alexa" in today's time) sitting in the back yard. This is the time for baseball. Each day now when the sun rises the days will start to get longer and warmer. The great Rogers Hornsby said it best: "People ask me what I do in the winter when there's no baseball. I tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." Until then, see at Spring Training! — Joe Boesch 

Just when we thought the snow has ended for the year in New York, here we go again. With the Super Bowl over and Spring Training soon to be underway, old man winter is at it again. In years, this is the first significant snow fall in New York City and cold temperatures that are more likely in Buffalo. With snow coming down just enough to cause a headache, we dream more than ever about baseball and pray for spring. Spring Training here we come. Or as they say Viva (Las Vegas) Florida. Until then, see ya at Spring Training! — Joe Boesch 

Now that the  Hot Stove League  is over and  Spring Training  is on the horizon, there are some viable free agents still unsigned. Here's are the top five still unsigned: 1. Cody Bellinger 2. Blake Snell 3. Clayton Kershaw 4. Jordan Montgomery 5. Matt Chapman  So, this is it. With  Spring Training  soon underway, teams should take notice. — Joe Boesch