Their constant practice would contribute to a magical season for the Broad Ripple baseball team. Al Lindop was my next-door neighbor. He and teammate Bob Haymaker both made the varsity as sophomores. Every day they would practice fielding grounds, catching pop flies and picking off base runners.

I was a six year old. I would chase the balls they missed. That rarely happened but sometimes they would intentionally miss so this little kid could feel like he was playing too. That night at supper I could tell my Dad I "played baseball" with the "big kids."

Nineteen fifty four was Al's senior year. Three pitchers on the Rocket team threw no-hitters. Gene Harvey even pitched a " perfect game," with not even a walk against Noblesville batters. He went on to play for Butler. Al's no hitter was against Manual and was the third one of the Broad Ripple season.

Al got an athletic scholarship to Ohio State. His collegiate career included trips to Japan and Nova Scotia. His fraternity father was Heisman trophy winner Dick "Hopalong" Cassady. After two years he signed with the Yankees.