They call me Mr. Baseball

I wasn't always a hockey guy.

Sure, I've always loved Canada's game, but when I was a kid, baseball was my favorite sport. And my favorite team? Do you even have to ask?

The Toronto Blue Jays, of course.

Born in 1983 in Toronto, I was the perfect age to enjoy the dominant Jays teams of the late-80s and early-90s. My baseball hero was third baseman Kelly Gruber, but I had plenty of love for the other great players the Jays had back then. Roberto Alomar, Joe Carter, Devon White, Dave Winfield, Paul Molitor, Tom Henke... those teams were stacked with talent.

I was lucky enough to take in at least eight Jays games a year back in those days, and some of my fondest childhood memories are of my Dad and I heading downtown on the GO Train, with our baseball gloves in hand just in case any foul balls made it all the way up to the 500 level. They rarely did, so before the game we'd head down to field level and try to pick up some grounders during batting practice. I know a baseball is a baseball, but when you're a kid, there's no thrill like catching a 'Major League' baseball.

Of course I played the game too, but I never really excelled at it and I eventually gave it up to focus on hockey. But I always had fun when I played, and coming back to the sport in some form has always been on my mind.

I never thought it would take me 12 years, but better late than never right?

Last Thursday I played my first game in the Mixed Community Church 3-pitch baseball league at Wladyka Park in Port Hope. It's not exactly like your traditional baseball, of course, but you hit the ball with a bat and catch it with a glove, so it's close enough for me.

With my 12-year layoff to deal with, I don't expect to set the world on fire with my first season back on the diamond. I doubt there are any Gold Glove or Silver Slugger awards in my immediate future, let's put it that way. That said, I do hope to go yard at least once this season.

Most of all, I'm looking forward to getting back out on the field. There's no better place to spend a summer's night.