12/27/2007

99 Days to Opening Day 2008

Opening Day 2008 for the Timber Rattlers is April 3. That is 100 days from today. This off-season, the countdown will be based on books. Each day between now and Opening Day 2008, I will pick a random book out of my library and excerpt a passage off the page number corresponding with the number of days remaining to the first pitch of the new season. I will try not to repeat a book during the countdown.

Today's book is Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott. The book cover has the details of the story: A disinherited knight fights to restore his name...and the crown of England...and run on sentences.

The passage is Scott's description of the aftermath of a melee for a tournament.
The consequences of the encounter were not instantly seen, for the dust raised by the trampling of so many steeds darkened the air, and it was a minute ere the anxious spectators could see the fate of the encounter. When the fight became visible, half the knights on each side were dismounted -- some by the dexterity of their adversary's lance, some by the superior weight and strength of opponents, which had borne down both horse and man; some lay stretched on earth as if never more to rise; some had already gained their feet, and were closing hand to hand with those of their antagonists who were in the same predicament; and several on both sides , who had received wounds by which they were disabled were stopping their blood by scarfs and endeavouring to extricate themselves from the tumult.
Put today's excerpt into a baseball context.

No comments:

Site Meter