Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel’s The Sound of Silence, which accompanied the classic movie, The Graduate, eventually became an anthem for their generation, rousing a spirit of reflection for most and a mood of melancholy for some.  The song’s ironic title and evocative lyrics have made it legendary and brought it to many lists of greatest songs of all time, including Rolling Stone’s Top 500 where it ranks 157th, sandwiched between Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Proud Mary and The Flamingo’s I Only Have Eyes for You.

Stepping out onto a ballfield during the height of summer can sometimes be an idyllic experience for the senses. The blades of freshly cut grass whisper in the wind, the smell of freshly graded earth unmistakable as plumes of dust rise beneath the bright midday sun. By October, however, the grass has been roughly trod, the earth is dampened and the sun begins to fade. Yet, for the pros, this is when the greatest drama is about to begin.