Major League Baseball

Teryn's Take: Fourth of July and a snapshot of American tradition

Published Jul. 3, 2014 11:28 a.m. ET

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Most of us have one, a time and a place or event where we fell in love with a respective sport. A fond memory or family tradition that shaped us into fans, players and followers. 

My Fourth of July family tradition has been that for me. Although I didn't know it -- too busy chasing foul balls, munching down on BBQ and taking in the fireworks -- I was falling in love with the game of baseball.

The 4th is my favorite holiday, because to me it's synonymous with baseball, family and community. I am lucky, because not only do I find baseball heaven at Busch Stadium, but in a little town on the other side of the Mississippi River, where rural America meets amateur baseball.

There a field stands, frozen in history, withstanding the test of time and the great Flood of '93 -- which forced the entire town of Valmeyer, Ill. to relocate on top of the bluffs, up the hills of the Illinois Ozarks. But not that old ballpark, it stuck it out.

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It's like our very own field of dreams, where communities come to watch local talent play ball and where MLB scouts have been known to pluck prospects right out of the corn field.

So that's where you will find me on my favorite holiday, at Borsch Memorial Park -- a snapshot of American tradition. I'll be watching my brother take the same field my father did, playing in the Mon-Clair Men's Baseball League's Valmeyer Mid-Summer Classic. 

We want to know what your Independence Day tradition is; will you be at Busch Stadium watching our beloved Redbirds take the field followed by a fireworks spectacular, or will you be at home grilling up your own ballpark hot dogs? Tell us on our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram pages!

Happy Fourth of July everyone! AMERICA!

QUICK HITS

-- Man has it been fun in St. Louis this summer! And even though it's hot outside, the Blues are keeping it cool and the excitement rolling. The signing of St. Louis native Paul Stastny away from Colorado had fans at Tuesday's World Cup watch party in Ballpark Village chanting those three glorious words, "Let's Go Blues." 

Blues GM Doug Armstrong and owner Tom Stillman, along with FOX Sports Midwest's very own John Kelly were grinning from ear to ear as they took the FOX Sports Midwest Live! stage to relay their major announcement.

It was a site to see has me pumped for winter! 

-- But let's not get ahead of ourselves, before we can get there, we have to get through an awesome summer of baseball that will carry into the fall, right? In addition to playoff baseball, fall means football. Specifically, football at The Zou. 

No, not that zoo. Mizzou. And if you are a Tigers fan, MU is running a fun little initiative right now where we -- the fans -- can help name the new additions to Faurot Field that will be completed in time for this season. How cool will this stadium look now?

-- That shouldn't be the only vote you cast today. TODAY IS THE LAST DAY FOR ALL-STAR VOTING! Remember to vote Cardinals one last time, to see our Redbirds represented at the Mid-Summer Classic July 15, at 8:30 p.m. on FOX. 

Video pick: 

Despite the heartbreaking loss, which knocked the United States out of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, I still get goose bumps when I hear the chant, "I believe that we will win!" I will never forget how Ballpark Village rang with such patriotism and unity. AMERICA! (It never gets old saying that…)

My shout-out this week goes out to all the service men and women! Without you, we would not be able to celebrate our country's day of Independence and our freedom. #FOXSalutes 

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