ALTOONA, Pennsylvania — As the scent of fresh-cut grass delicately fills the air, so do the aromas of the hot dogs and hamburgers coming from the grill on the lower deck. Just past right field there is an amusement park where you can hear the slow clink, clink, clink of the roller coaster as the chains and gears of the carriage climbs its ancient wood scaffoldings. The kitschy music found at any ballpark in America echoes throughout the ballpark.
On the field, the pitcher has taken the mound, the catcher is crouched in position, and an eternity passes as glances and signs are exchanged. The pitcher winds up, stretching his left hand behind his back, the ball sails toward home at a smidge over 90 mph, and “POP!” it lands in the weathered glove of the catcher.
