“I don’t think that bill is moving,” another delegate answered when I asked if she supported my proposed amendment.
“Best to be prepared,” I responded.
We agreed to act like Boy Scouts.
Not everyone is, unfortunately.
A bill I thought was uncontroversial is still sitting in committee.
I learned which committee member was the likely culprit. Then I asked the lobbyist for the affected Cabinet department to find out why the bill is being held.
No word yet.
—-
We expect the House will be in session until late tomorrow afternoon.
That means I won’t be going to the Orioles game.
However, I will again be offering the opening prayer for the House of Delegates on the Opening Day of the baseball season.
On Opening Day in 1947, the rookie first baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers went hitless. By season’s end, Jackie Robinson hit .297 and led the National League in stolen bases and sacrifice hits. He was named Rookie of the Year.
Robinson told the crowd at the 1972 World Series, “I’d like to live to see a black manager, I’d like to live to see the day when there’s a black man coaching at third base.” Nine days later, he died of a heart attack. Three seasons later, Frank Robinson broke a different color barrier as manager of the Cleveland Indians.
Perhaps a future Hall of Famer is making his major league debut this afternoon. Or an obscure utility player may get the big hit or make the play in the field that wins the game. A parent may take a child to their first game together.
It will all begin when the umpire says, “Play ball!”
