Celebrating the Fourth of July at the Game at the Corners. And much more.

Shadi in front of American, Cuban and Canadian flags. I asked guys to bring appropriate flags for the celebration. But some of our players are geographically challenged. [Photo: Steve] 7/4/16

from Pick up softball games still exist

We determined the Game at the Corners needed some photo journalist polish. So after a careful review of her montage on a school trip to Spain, Shadi was selected.

Shadi came to the July 4th game, the second half of our so-called “Old Man’s Holiday Doubleheader” (also held on Memorial and Labor Days). A colorful but misleading name as our players span the generations.

Shadi, it’s impossible to NEVER make an out.

Alas, Shadi knows nothing about baseball.

Only a triple but Shadi doesn’t know the difference.

When she saw me pitching underhand with an arch, she said I looked girlie and couldn’t I throw it harder and straighter. When I hit the ball well but made out, Shadi barked, what’s this about not getting to first base!

Just because it’s softball not hardball doesn’t mean it’s not a manly sport.

And how did I let that fly ball bounce in front of me in the infield? To see if she could do better, I told her to “take an at bat,” but she didn’t know what one is.

But Shadi did cheer when I hit a “home run” that was really a triple, but like I said, Shadi doesn’t know baseball. Nonetheless, Shadi has challenged “the Bad Boys of Summer” to a game against the school marms at her new school.

Some of the players. Neil, Mike Raff, Mike Bobry, Joe, Steve, and Zev 7/4/16

Braves-Met scorecard, July 4th – 5th, 1985 see Who’s counting at the Game at the Corners

Shadi’s montage missed some of the action: when I foolishly called off Zev the third baseman on the infield pop up, when Raff tagged me after overrunning second base, when Neil pulled the hidden ball trick on me at third, and when an alligator slinked out of the creek and bit off Blake’s tongue.

Wearing a Blue Jays cap, Zev, a Ph.D. candidate at the Eastman School, is from Toronto. Perhaps even before the next game, Zev expects to become a new father. We are giving him three weeks of paternity leave then it’s back to the Game at the Corners.

The Sunday the 3rd game went to a nail biting extra inning.

Yesterday’s came to resemble the oft-considered greatest game in American baseball history, the 1985 July 4-5th Rick Camp Fireworks game in Atlanta, described by then Braves’ announcer Jon Sterling as “the absolutely nuttiest in the history of baseball.”

After several rain delays — and vicissitudes ranging from Keith Hernandez hitting for the cycle, Mets’ manager Davey Johnson’s appeal and multiple ejections — at 3:30 a.m., Atlanta reliever Rick Camp — an .060 hitter — tied the game with a two out home run in the bottom of the 18th. In the top of the 19th, Camp gave up 5 runs.

But in the bottom of the inning, the Braves rallied for two runs. And there stood Camp, the tying run at the plate with two out, stretching human credulity to its limits. But Ron Darling struck him out. And at precisely 4:01 a.m. fireworks exploded above Atlanta Fulton County Stadium.

In our July 4th rendition, Team 1 was trailing by over 10 runs in the last inning. But the usually light hitting Bobry sparked a rally with a double (that hit the heel of my glove). Then Rogoshefsky laced a clever opposite field single. And Esan didn’t let a dribbler go foul that would have ended things.

There stood Bobry as the tying run — as had Camp 31 years earlier — with two outs. But Bobry grounded out. And fireworks exploded above the field between the Brighton High and Middle Schools.

Actually, Neil did bring some sparklers bought Sunday in Penn Yan. But our players are not so bright so we left the sparklers unlit, fearing someone would start a brush fire in the dry grass.

With Shane Grant. (right) Earl Harrington

Our game was not the only athletic event in town. Shadi captured me crossing the finish line at the morning’s Brighton Chamber of Commerce 5K, assured by Fleet Feet’s Earl Harrington I had not finished last.

Shane’s time on her mapmywalk

That place belongs to Webster’s Shane Grant. A great sport, Shane walks a 5K every weekend. An admitted “slow walker,” Shane’s goal this summer is finish last in every competition. Ambitious, but Shane says she’s totally up to the challenge.

Happily, our worked up appetite was satisfied at the Town of Brighton Pancake Breakfast served in the Brighton High School cafeteria.

Adam, Brighton Town Parks employee 7/4/16

Debbie Brown Drawe with Allan Brown 7/4/16

Gathering at the Dedication 7/4/16

Shadi would leave the game at 10:30 to cover the Brighton Chamber of Commerce Memorial Award Ceremony at the Twelve Corners Memorial Park.

This years’ ceremony honored the memory of Marion Lepage Brown, retired Town Clerk, Councilwoman and civic leader.

Shadi could see the love and admiration Marion’s family — and all of Brighton — felt for Marion who devoted her career and life to public service. Marion’s daughter, Debbie Brown Drawe is a Penfield county legislator. Marion’s husband, Allan, lives in Brighton.

setting up the Young Explosion’s fireworks display 7/4/16

While Shadi occasionally comes to the 12 Corner’s Starbucks and even to play her violin in the park gazebo, she saw more what the town has to offer — just over the line from her city apartment on Monroe.

Before the fireworks, I met the employees of Young Explosives who work the display set on the canal path behind Meridian Park. The team leader explained the extensive training and certifications they receive: from state authorities to the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

For many at Young, running the fireworks display is a labor of love. One man traces his interest back to boyhood. In ’74 or ’75, the Big Booms of the fireworks at the Italian Festival at Eyer Park in East Rochester captured his imagination for life.

from Celebrating diversity on the Fourth of July at Meridian Centre Park in Brighton

Walking through the festivities, I was reminded again of the diversity of Brighton spread before me — both in its inhabitants and those drawn from all over for the fun and fireworks.

At sunset, I found again the “secret” spot where I watch the fireworks. About 5 years ago, I discovered the best place to see and hear the display is on the other side of the canal.

At first, it seemed to be just me enjoying the out-of-body experience — feeling as if the fireworks were exploding just above my head as the canal glimmered from their reflected light.

Then more people came to the now not so secret spot on the trail, sitting in lawn chairs or blankets and lighting roman candles. As the festivities have grown in popularity, now some people park on the path near the Clinton Bridge.

These people do celebrate Independence Day in ways a little more rowdy than the families in Meridian. A slight waft of aromatic air can be noticed. But to each his own.

Tonight about 20 souls climbed the wooden stairs to the path along the other side of the canal.

Though I alone ventured to the spot directly across from the fireworks staging area. Where ash floated through the smell of acrid smoke into the canal’s water. And the banging sky looked as the universe must have in its first moments of creation.