Spring’s Beautiful Brevity

A Season of Fish, Fly Balls, and Childhood Memories

By Marshall Nych

To summon spring’s natural, rejuvenating magic, you need only take a fresh look and a deep breath. Flora and fauna, perhaps well rested from winter’s dormancy, seem particularly alive. It’s not a coincidence that two of my fondest childhood chapters were written during this inviting time of year—baseball and trout fishing.

As fast as my short legs would carry me, I’d sprint to the far end of my grandparent’s backyard. Once settled, I placed hands on my knees to signal readiness. Halfway across the yard stood my cutoff and boyhood hero— Grandpa Seybert. Nearest to the house stood a smiling Uncle Kenny, bat in hand. With arms the size of legs, Kenny was athletic in every aspect of the word. A mix of parents, cousins, aunts, and other family members congregated atop the brick patio, which doubled as our dugout.

My favorite uncle would hit pop flies so high they were temporarily lost in the endless blues of a spring sky. I’d doggedly dash toward the last place I’d spotted the little white sphere. As the ball returned to the lower atmosphere, the entire family cheered as I made the catch. Glowing with pride, I’d toss the ball to Grandpa Seybert. Throwing with the neatest sidearm style I have witnessed to this day, Grandpa would return the ball to Kenny, and we’d do it all again. It’s a wonderful memory to replay. Their support and influence inspired me. I wanted to be center fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates when I grew up. If that career path didn’t work out, I’d settle on being a professional fisherman, because one thing I loved as much as baseball was trout. A stream trickled through our family farm, and there I’d marvel at the fish’s brilliant colors. This beautiful brevity was referred to as spring, and, be it the joy of baseball or trout, it seemed to be reserved for just a short time of the year.

Pop flies still come down and fish still jump up, I still love baseball and trout, but that little boy never tried out for the Pirates nor entered celebrated fishing tournaments. But when he became a man, he was blessed to be a husband to a loving woman and the father of two beautiful children.

As one spring sprung, I was asked to

See Brevity on page 22