Commentary: River of Turns

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As usual, it depends who you talk to.

There are a couple of translations for the Cree word “Wakamow”, which is the name of the expansive park which stretches throughout Moose Jaw, where I spend my summers. And the park in which I walk miles every morning.

Some say it means “River of turns” in Cree (and that’s what the sign says), while A-I says the translation is “Where the water flows.”

Either way I find it pretty appropriate to describe this exciting stage of my life, broadcasting baseball in Season 2 for the Moose Jaw Miller Express of the Western Canadian Baseball League.

Let me first say it’s the second-highest level of baseball in Canada behind the Blue Jays, with all collegiate players from the highest levels in the NCAA. There are ex-Major Leaguers working in the league, and it’s top notch.

Now, after I left the Riders and the Pats, I wasn’t real interested in ever being the Voice of a team again, for many reasons. Chiefly, I’m getting up there in age but when I was cutting my teeth riding those buses and planes decades ago, I was the same age as the players. It was the time of my life and the friendships with the players became as solid as oak. Friends to this day.

But as I got older and the players stayed the same age, it lost its lustre. For instance, I don’t care who’s dating who and the fart jokes became no longer funny.

However a funny thing happened this week. On a big homestand, plenty of players’ families came to Moose Jaw and I got to spend time with and get to know the Dads, who were from as far away as Terrell, TX, Campbell River, BC, and even Australia. Guess what – they’re all my age.

They love watching the games on Flo College Baseball and say they’re glad to have me around keeping an eye on their boys. And, to be available if the boys ever need to chat outside the game.

It’s absolutely, totally, been a shot in the arm and breath of fresh air. Who knows where it goes from here? All I can say is it’s a new lease on life which I really didn’t see coming, nor planned.

The River Of Turns indeed.

That’s today’s Rod Pedersen Commentary

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