They’re getting ready to play some hardball again in Amarillo, Texas. The city’s AA franchise, the Sod Poodles, are training in Arizona at this moment alongside their parent ballclub, the National League’s San Diego Padres.

I want, though, to take a brief moment to salute the Sod Poodles and their commitment to the community that has fallen madly in love with the team.

The team is becoming partners with charitable organizations associated with the Texas Panhandle.

For example, they’re teaming up with the Amarillo Area Foundation to raise money for this and that cause; at a date during the season, proceeds from tickets sold will go to the American Cancer Society, which has an active chapter in Amarillo. I’m sure there will be plenty of these kinds of partnerships.

The Sod Poodles have a Facebook page with all the information you might want to see about the upcoming activities.

My point is that professional sports get pilloried all the time for the seeming greed among athletes, owners, management. I want to take a moment to toss a bouquet to the community where I once lived and to the baseball club that entertains thousands of fans every night at Hodgetown, where the Sod Poodles play their home games.

This is what brings communities together.

Well done, team and fans.

Play ball … in due time!