The empty baseball fields of Ridgewood, New Jersey, during the pandemic lockdown
Ordinarily, at this time of year, these fields would be filled with kids playing baseball — one game waiting for the previous to finish. Not this year. The coronavirus pandemic has derailed baseball season in Ridgewood, New Jersey, home of the Raiders. Fields are empty, mounds of dirt sit at infield positions usually occupied by second basemen and shortstops. It’s a scene playing out in many small towns across America. Coaches, players, dads, and moms are all missing the games, the competition, the fun.
My son and I went out on Saturday — the early-spring weather was perfect — to take photos of the fields. Here’s to all the players and coaches we play with and compete against, and to getting back out on these dusty fields, spitting sunflower seeds and playing this great game again someday soon. Until then, an ode to baseball season … ⚾️
