Pick 27 - Middle Class

Yesterday I was driving past our local Little League field. I had to go extra slow because there was  a Round Robin play-off game going on. The AA, AAA, and Major League fields surround an elementary school. Both have been pretty quiet since school let out and the regular Little League season ended in early June. But today the fields were crowded with players and spectators. The school parking lot, which doubles as the parking lot for Little League, was also full. There was no hidden value here. It was all quite open and obvious. And I am sure this scene is repeated in just about every town in the country. Unfortunately, such events may become unsustainable within a few years. No. They are not government-funded. They make do with volunteer help and funds raised through annual candy sales and advertising on their fields and on the uniforms provided by various sponsors. But like parks and public playgrounds, Little League is a Middle Class institution. It endures year after year because hard working parents are willing to pool their resources and donate their spare time to the benefit of the community. This, in turn, benefits their children far more than anything they could provide as an individual.  And that is the hidden value, not just of the Little League, but of public libraries, community bands, walking and biking trails, even public beaches at the Shore. It is a Middle Class value that is uniquely American. But it is a value that may disappear if we fail to notice it before it gives way to private property, and privileged membership.

$tokens to Tip the Pickers

1 $token - 1.00 USD3 $tokens - 3.00 USD5 $tokens - 5 USD 12345