Thanksgiving season is a time to give thanks, of course.

So why not do so here?

Watching a co-worker take part in his group’s annual “Turkey Bowl” football games at Alameda Park the other day made me think back to my younger years. While I’m 45 years removed from playing in any kind of pick-up tackle football game, there was a time ...

And I am so grateful to have been able to experience those times.

Whether it was pick-up tackle football games in an unknowing neighbor’s back yard — we weren’t about to tear up our own yard — playing basketball in a friend’s driveway deep into summer nights or playing 4-on-4 pick-up baseball games using pieces of cardboard boxes as bases, closing off right field and playing “pitcher’s hand,” those times were magical.

“Pitcher’s hand,” for those who are unfamiliar, is the ball being returned to the pitcher before the batter reaches first base.

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