Field of Ghosts
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The peoples we know as American Indians or Native Americans migrated across the Bering Strait. Then moved down through Alaska and Canada to the lower reaches of the South American continent.
Strong winds pushing, swirling, lightning-marred clouds of black and gray followed the tribes on their journey. The death clouds were their constant companions. The bodies of the fallen were buried where they fell and held sacred to the tribes. These concentrated burial grounds are scattered across the North American continent. Many are lost or forgotten except by the spirits that lurked near their earthly remains.
As time went by, the white man came and took possession of the land. Towns grew along the trails and railroads forged their way across the frontier. Group games allowed many players to take the field as teams wherever leisure time expanded. The game of baseball was born where a level field free from rocks and trees could be found.
Nothing was known of what had gone before as all traces of those resting below the turf had vanished into time. The clouds of death alone knew where the fallen resided. They watched as their concentrated soil became the playing fields of their conquerors to be trampled and pounded by alien feet.
The spirits expressed their displeasure at the sacrilege to their sacred home. Observers reported seeing phantom figures moving the bases. Players were knocked to their knees while standing in position. Balls were deflected from the players’ hand as if an unknown batter was in the game, whose presence they could feel yet couldn’t see.
Chalked numerals were changed by unseen hands when no runs were scored. Teams waiting on the sidelines and in locker rooms were harassed as equipment disappeared or was destroyed. Fans suffered as their chairs were pulled from under them, dumping their food and beverages.
Eerie death chants echoed on the wind across the fields, through the bleachers, and in the dugouts wherever these facilities were built over the sacred Indian burial grounds.
The game of baseball became so popular professional teams were organized that could travel long distances to play opposing teams. Huge stadiums were built to house these events.
October 26th is the opening day of the World Series when the sports world turns its eyes to baseball to see which team will capture the pennant for this year. I thought you might enjoy a little look at the early days of the sport when strange doings were reported on the fields of play.
