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Health & Fitness

Play Ball!

Nothing means spring quite like Opening Day of baseball season.

For some the first day of spring is when that lone daffodil pokes its brave head out of the soil. For others, it's when the calendar date of March 20 comes around. But for me, spring really comes today: the Opening Day of baseball season.

If you are a baseball fan, you know exactly what I mean. That crisp air smell mixed with salty peanuts, fermented beer aromas, and a sense of anticipation filling the stadium. Wind whipping the pendants high atop the roof. Shouting "O" at just the right moment during the national anthem, all while clutching your orange hat to your heart. Feeling your pulse thrum to the music, which sudden quiets so the umpire can shout, "Play ball!"

The season begins.

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No matter where you are this Opening Day, you can participate. Wear your home team's colors. Stop off at for your own supplies. Grill hot dogs, serve up some frosty beverages (Virgil's Root Beer for the kids is a yummy choice), and shell some peanuts. If you happen to be on spring break, tune the game in on your radio. There's something special about listening to a game without watching it. Haven't ever done this? Give it a try!

Tonight, watch a baseball-themed movie, available to rent from or purchase at . One of my all-time favorites is "Field of Dreams," starring Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta. Another choice is "Angels in the Outfield," which stars Tony Danza.

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As far as books go, I loved the books about Ruby, Griffith, and Graham and their magic baseball. The series, written by Loren Long and Phil Bildner, is called The Barnstormers: Tales of the Traveling Nine. A beautifully told tale set in 1899 tells about the early days of baseball that will captivate kids of all ages. Each of the three books highlights a different city where the barnstormers played baseball to earn their living. A visit to stores could have your avid reader nose deep in history all weekend long.

Are you as excited about Opening Day as I am? If so, what are your suggestions for making this a fun day?

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