Fire and Rain in Strawberry Mansion

We ventured out into Strawberry Mansion, a place that has become a part of our lives forever. We headed to 33rd and Diamond, where the Strawberry Mansion Athletic Association was created. Derrick “Rick” Ford, the Director and Founder of the League sat on the bleachers and pushed back tears as he explained how the players mean the world to him.

The rain was coming down and the puddles were accumulating throughout the field. David Lisby, commonly known as “Itchy” called the game to another field because of the wet grass and the muddy mess of a field.

He gave us a ride to 30th and Jefferson, where another baseball field was ready for action. The Big Legends baseball team was out on the field practicing before the game. We were in the outfield filming the practice. Bernard Savage, one of the Commissioners of the All-Stars told us to keep our heads up. Right after his warning, a ball flew right at Jonathan’s head. The entire team screamed, “I’M SORRY!”

We both laughed. Rick Ford came over to give me a kiss on the cheek and slap me five. He was excited we made it out to the game. It felt so good to feel a part of their community. We weren’t outsiders anymore. All of the players could barely concentrate on the game because they all wanted to be filmed on camera. I asked Itchy which player we could interview on camera. He responded, “Look at them, you can interview the hole team if you want to!”

The kids were great sports and responded well to cameras at their game. Apparently, they were used to the publicity because a lot of crime has occurred on the streets near the game. As we were filming, there were four gunshots that went off in the distance. Rick commented under his breath, “eh, it must be a shot gun.”

The rain stopped and we finished all of our interviews. Jonathan and I looked at each other and said, “We are going to miss this place.” We both smiled and knew what the other was thinking. This may be the last time we are ever here.

By Danielle Bacher and Jonathan Braymer- Team 18, Brewerytown/Strawberry Mansion