Time to Call 'Play Ball!'

Cue John Fogerty. (I'd be overjoyed if the sun came out today, but with as much hope as Opening Day brings, I'm not holding out much hope for that dream.)

In honor of this national holiday for the national pastime we bring you two special features. will get you fired up for the season. And, because baseball spans the generations, here's a gem of a home movie from someone who had some behind-the-scenes access to Baltimore's Memorial Stadium in that park's waning days. (I'll never forget that first glimpse of the brilliant green outfield as I stepped out into the bleachers in right field for my first game with my family.)

Pay close attention to the man in the No. 44 at the top of the dugout steps: It's the late, great Elrod Hendricks. The man spent more time in an O's uniform than anyone and deserves to have the No. 44 retired in his honor. Before we had "Baseball in DC" (remember the old banner in RFK?) many of us claimed the Orioles.

Every one of my friends who was an O's fan had at least one Elrod Hendricks Orioles postcards—often with an autograph (always "Peace, Elrod Hendricks"). Hendricks was often dispatched to card shows and church bazaars in the distant outposts of "Birdland" when organizers requested that an Oriole make an appearance. (I remember my friends and I talking to him at one particular card show at St. Peter's church in Olney. He held a conversation with me—a 13-year-old at the time—how many professional athletes do that these days? And, at 13 years old, ?)

It's a little soggy out there today. So let's go once around the horn with a "Mudville Nine" edition of "The Rundown":

• The ladies demonstrated how to play through the rain yesterday (). Let's hope the big boys can get one in today too.
• The city's new logo, part Rockville's controversial new "Get Into It" branding campaign, is popping up on all over, including on the city's Web site and on Rockville 11. Now Rockville 11 brings you a new promo highlighting what "It" is all about.
• has two unique offerings this weekend. Catch HST Cultural Arts explore whether "the accessories of life" can determine success as they perform "Success-orize" at 7 p.m. on  Friday and at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, or listen to the Hometowne USA Barbershop Chorus Sunday.
• Kudos to "Hannah," who used our "Q&A" feature to ask , which yours truly was able to quickly answer giving me the rare thrill of feeling smart and helpful. Remember to use Q&A (on the menu bar at the top of our home page) as a community resource for posting questions, (hopefully) getting answers and helping out your neighbors by telling them what you know when you can.
• That's today's Rundown. Remember, if you like us, "Like" us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @RockvillePatch. Go Nats!