Goodbye football — hello, baseball!

Here we are, three months into a new year, and I’m wondering how many more surprises are in store for us from our state and national lawmakers before 2017 ends. It is an unsettling feeling, like sitting on a powder keg.

Thank goodness for distractions like Super Bowl Sunday. I had planned to start this column that day since I have no favorite team, but changed my mind. I really enjoy just watching football games whoever is playing (but never an entire game). More often than not, I keep a book or crossword puzzle nearby in case it turns out to be a “lame game.”

So I gave the New England-Atlanta showdown my attention as a neutral spectator. But not for long. I was caught up in the unexpected performance by the Falcons as they rolled up a 25-point lead in the first half. Impressive ... so far!

Then came the second half. After finally scoring a touchdown late in the third period, the Patriots stormed back scoring 19 unanswered points in the final quarter, forcing the first overtime in Super Bowl history at 28-28. New England’s 2-point conversion (Brady to Amendola) was spellbinding to watch as the Patriots held on to their dynasty by capturing their fifth Super Bowl title. Be assured, I never even opened my book. Super Bowl LI held my undivided attention.

So, now it’s goodbye football ... hello, baseball! And Capaha Park Field is ready to break in the season with a new look. Thanks to our city and Southeast Missouri State University’s agreement to split the cost ($1.8 million ballpark project), renovations are well underway. These include replacing natural grass with synthetic turf, installing a large scoreboard and video screen, and a new fence in the outfield. Additional plans include an indoor hitting area, storage space and clubhouse/locker room facilities.

This state-of-the-art field will be shared by the university’s Redhawks baseball team and the Burger King Capahas. Balls will be flying high by the time you read this. Cars will be parked along Cherry Hill Drive as baseball fans catch a welcome preview of the season’s prospects.

How long has baseball been a part of this park? Way back when it was known as Fairground Park (early 1900s), baseball and softball provided fun and entertainment as youngsters and teens visited this popular spot for pickup games or to practice hitting, pitching and catching.

The field has been home to dozens of teams through the years, including American Legion, Travelers, the Capahas, Cape Girardeau Central High School, Babe Ruth League, Connie Mack and Southeast Missouri State University (Indians and now Redhawks). Cape Legion teams won five state championship titles along the way (1943, 1951, 1952, 1973 and 1994).

A note of interest, Major League Baseball players with Missouri American Legion roots include Albert Pujols, Joe Garagiola and Yogi Berra.

And there was one summer during World War II years when the St. Louis Browns set up training camp in Cape Girardeau and utilized Capaha Field.

Looking back, the old field has served this area admirably well. Looking forward, Capaha Field has never looked so good.