Dan's wacky idea

I was planning a quick trip to NYC for later this month and started looking at the possibility of stopping through Pittsburgh. I'm attracted to that orienteering meet at Hartwood on April 18, plus the Pirates are in town that weekend.

So here is what I might do.

• Arrive PIT Friday, April 17 at 3pm
• See Pirates vs. Braves at PNC Park that night (7:05pm gametime)
• Participate in orienteering meet at Hartwood Acres, April 18, 11am - 3pm
• Depart PIT April 18, 6:30pm

If I do it, anyone who is in town who wants to join me for either or both events is more than welcome. Airfares are very cheap right now.

Hope springs eternal (Bucs win opener!)

I promise not to do this too often, but I want to note that the much maligned Pittsburgh Pirates won their opening game yesterday, rallying with four runs in the ninth to beat the Cardinals in St. Louis. The game report is here.

The Pirates will almost certainly this year break the record for futility, the most consecutive losing seasons by any pro sports franchise, but there is some reason for hope that the new management has a clue and the team could be more competitive in the years ahead.

As Walter said, I kept my Pirates loyalty through years of living in other cities. I've seen quite a few Pirates games at Wrigley Field, Shea Stadium, Candlestick Park and PacBell Park (now AT&T), and elsewhere including a few games at the beautiful new PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Last year, Twyla (my daughter, age 23) and I were at PacBell and they put us on camera between innings wearing our Pirates caps.

Here's a picture of Twyla and a friend, not that day but on a similar occasion several years earlier.

Questions for Danny from Davey

Do you remember a beautiful summer day when we were in your bedroom listening to an afternoon Pirates game? We were keeping score on homemade scorecards. Your Mom came in and was not very pleased with how we were occupying our time. She immediately chased us outdoors to do something more productive.

I remember playing baseball in your backyard to the point where the bases were worn down dirt spots. The left field line was marked by those small trees over the hill towards Cummings (where Joanne and the girls would play) . Seems like we outgrew hardball and were only allowed to play wiffle ball at some point.

There was a very large rope swing from a tall tree in the back of Putzie's property. I guess for George Putzie and the older kids. You were swinging on it and dropped something. I can't remember what - a pocket knife? There were three of us looking all over the grass for it. Then you got the idea to retrace your swinging pattern and you did spot the object but lost your grip and fell hard and lay motionless. I thought you were dead. Seems like someone's mother came out to help you. Do you remember that?

What about helping Dr Aruffo build the wall in front the Aruffo/Chesley house with those huge stones from the Civil War Arsenal? They had a large garden planted behind it. Any memory of the kids up on Farmview? Kenny Hartzell or Skeeter Ridley? We played a lot of baseball and football up there at the end of the street.

I get confused a bit on the following - was it the 3rd grade that your Dad home schooled you? (of which I was so amazed that your Dad was smart enough to do that. How did he know how to do that?) And then 4th grade, you were in Israel? Was 5th grade when you were back at Central? What about 6th grade? Did you just not go because you were leaving Green Valley that year? I can not remember.

I remember us reading the Hardy Boys books and trying to write our own mysteries. And lastly, do you remember a cold spring day with winter coats on that we were playing in the creek below Hodil's field. We got our shoes and pants wet. The creek was very high in places and then you just decided to jump all the way in and start swimming around. I joined in. Crazy. We walked home soaking wet and shivering. My coat smelled like creek water.