Autumn finally got here and windows could be opened. Hearing kids voices outside my windows over the past week or so, I looked out one day and a few kids from the neighborhood were tossing a football around, playing outside.
All those autumn mornings and evenings of touch football out in the front yard of my family’s farm came flooding back. Before the school bus came in the morning, we’d toss the football around. When we saw the bus top the small hill just east of our hill, we’d toss the ball toward the front porch so Mom could pick it up, and grab our books in time to step on the bus.
Those kids playing outside here in Newton reminded me of the carefree days of my youth. I was blessed (sometimes I didn’t believe it) with three brothers then a little sister. We all enjoyed being outside, something my parents encouraged.
We had a big front yard that held many, many games of touch football, baseball and softball games, even some kick ball, over the years. We had a large family living down the road and those kids would join us for “friendly” games on that sweet green grass and the falling leaves. There were times when Mom or Dad or both would be sitting on the front porch watching and had to act as umpire. I really believe they just enjoyed watching us play.
My older brother, Monte, taught me how to throw a football. My father taught me how to throw a softball and a baseball. I could pitch overhanded pretty well with the baseball, but I was best behind the plate with the softball. Mom worked with me with softball, throwing and hitting.
I loved playing defense even in touch football. We were in 4-H and every fall, the entire Leavenworth County junior leaders club would meet for an annual touch football game. The club made a “rule” that Jocelyn and Monte could not be on the same team. They gave me the nickname of “killer” as a defensive player.
I never wore the uniform — except in a school play — but I fell in love with the game of football during those days of playing in the front yard with my siblings and neighbors. I played softball during the summer leagues and enjoyed it. There was a bond between me and my teammates that stands even today.
But the autumn games in the front yard are the ones I remember the best from my youth.
Contact Sports Editor Jocelyn Sheets at (641) 792-3121 Ext. 6535 or jsheets@newtondailynews.com.