May 16th was a great day for the Bush League - An old player made his return and three new Rookies took the field.  Duane DeSpain was a dominant force during the first few years of the Bush League existence.  He won the League's Most Improved Player Award back in 2002 but was then sidelined with a shoulder surgery and was forced to retire for medical reasons after the 2002 season.  He was able to play in some exhibition games over the years but never could commit to a full season.  With his arm feeling better and now being neighbors with Mark, he is coming out of his retirement and ready to compete with the others in the Bush League on a regular basis.  Duane is already in line to win the Comeback Player of the Year and from what was seen on the filed possibly make a run at a Gold Glove.  He was able to make 3 stops in the infield and he recorded one pop fly out.  He had a few struggles at the plate but if his batting practice was any indication of things to come the league better watch out.  Welcom back Duane!
Riley DeSpain was able to make his stickball Debut over the weekend.  There are some rumors that he already has the Bush League competitive spirit as he bet his dad $5 that he could not stop his next hit - Read the above paragraph about the pop out - He owes his dad $5.  But other than that he did phenominal.  Riley went 6 for 8 with 5 runs scored.  If he can keep those numbers he will be a serious canidate for the Rookie of the Year. 
Cedric Williams is another player who made his fisrt trip out the the sandlot.  He has bee working Mark and in a small town is always looking for something to do.  He was so desperate this last weekend that he considered playing stickball.  During batting practice he did not think he would be able to hit it out.  When players started to rag on him and say "it's okay if you can't hit it out like Ashley" he became focused - "she hit it out?  Okay, I'll get one then".  He sure did get one.  In only his second atbat, coming to the plate with the bases loaded he was able to send one over the fence for a grandslam.  On the day he went 4 for 7 with 5 RBI and is the first player in league history to start 2 and 0.  We hope to see Cedric on the field a lot more!
Cedric Jr. was also able to get his first (and when I say first I really mean that, he has never played baseball before) at bats.  After a few quick pointer from like everyone on the field he was ready for his first game.  In that game he went 3 for 4 with a double.  His teammates went a combined 2 for 7 and he came up short in his first official game.  On the day Cedric was 4 for 8, a very respectable .500 avg for his first ever game.   He almost made the most spectacular defensive play in the last 10 years of stickball.  He was placed in the outfield when his father hit a bullet to center field.  Remember he never has played baseball before, so when the ball came out he just stuck his arm out to catch the ball, except the glove was not on and it slowly fell out of his bare hand.  All the players at the game were in awe of the strength of young Cedric.  With his athletic ability he could vastly improve into one of the best young all-around players in the league. 
Overall it was a great day to get old and new players alike out for a game of stickball and we look forward to hearing more from each of these players as the season continues.