Fourth of July is about family, America and baseball

• Youth baseball on display during the holiday
• All 30 MLB teams will be in action Saturday
• Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League with a quadruple header
• Wiffle ball on display for three days over the holiday

With the Fourth of July holiday upon us, there is just one thing that comes to my sports crazed mind — baseball. What else but America’s pastime?

Since I was a kid, my Fourth of July was spent on a baseball diamond in a tournament somewhere in Ohio. Now, my Fourth of Julys will be spent hanging out with family with the Indians game on the radio and probably playing some catch with my dad.

Sure, there will also be grilling hotdogs and a brew or two, but the one thing that will always be around is baseball. Major League Baseball owns the holiday. Right smack in the middle of the Dog Days of Summer, the 4th of July lends itself to be celebrated by baseball to the max. And, Major League Baseball does a great job celebrating the holiday with special uniforms baring the stars and stripes.

A total of 15 MLB games will be played beginning at 11:05 a.m. with the Giants and Nationals. The Tribe plays at 4:05 p.m. against the Pirates and the night cap will feature the Angels and Rangers at 9:05 p.m. That’s right, all 30 teams will be in action during the holiday. How much more American can it get?

But, in small towns everywhere, baseball will be celebrated by a younger generation of players. As a product of youth baseball and organizations like the Johnny Appleseed Baseball Club, I have a love for youth sports and what they can teach.

One thing it taught me was the best way to celebrate a holiday that granted us freedom is to utilized the freedom of playing baseball. Thousands of travel teams will be competing in tournaments and even more kids will get the experience of playing the game during the holiday.

Even the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League has a quadruple header of games featuring the Galion Graders traveling to Ohio University’s Bob Wren Stadium to take on the Southern Ohio Copperheads.

The Graders will turn the holiday into an entire weekend of festivities as they continue the celebration on Sunday when they host the Copperheads, featuring fireworks at the conclusion of the game.

The Southview Grace Brethren Church has taken the holiday and America’s Pastime to a different level, bringing back the childhood game of wiffle ball in its annual 4th of July celebration. The event will feature three days packed with nothing but wiffle ball.

So, as you sit here reading this story on one of our nation’s most celebrated days, do me a favor, pick up your glove, grab a family member or friend and play some catch. Celebrate the holiday like a true sports fan and how most of America celebrates, with baseball. Most of all, have fun, be safe and thank you for being a devoted reader.

jfurr@gannett.com

419-610-5034

Twitter: @JakeFurr11