Senses Working Overtime

In just over two weeks, the Rangers take on the Boston Red Sawks in the first game of the 2006 campaign. For the first time in years, the Rangers are home for the season opener, and I'm damn near giddy from the prospect of it.

There are clear-cut differences in my perception of the world between when there's baseball being played, and when the off-season is dragging along. I've attempted to note the sensations here.

The Sight. After a long five months with no games, the first time I come around a corner and see that ballpark in Arlington for the first time, a weight lifts off my shoulders. In that moment, something in my brain kicks in lets me know that the New Year is beginning.

The Smell. There's something about the way a ballpark smells on the first game of the year. It's a combination of freshly-cut grass, warm concrete, hot dogs, draft beer, and a dozen other things that probably cause cancer in high doses.

The Sound. It's something that is distinctly baseball, distinctly American. In the second that a wooden bat cracks against a leather-bound baseball, and the crowd starts cheering for the ball to go over the fence, you shed ten years or more. (That is, unless it's the opposing team making the hit, and you gain five years.)

The Anticipation. Even if you've followed the day-to-day events at Spring Training, there are so many unanswered questions leading into the new season. For the Rangers this year, those include, but certainly are not limited to:

• How much better will the pitching rotation be?
• Who will be the starting outfield?
• Is Ian Kinsler just as good at second base as advertised?
• Will Francisco Cordero's arm hold up for the entire season?
• Can Hank Blalock "take the safeties off" and rev his hitting back up?

That's just me. What are you looking forward to seeing on April 3?