Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper learned the hard way that you can’t hit what you can’t see. Harper had been experiencing problems hitting consistently for the Hagerstown Suns. Now he sees why ... with 20-20 vision. Harper, the top prospect in the Washington Nationals organization, admitted he had a little problem seeing the ball. On April 20 against Hickory, he began making contact because he started wearing contacts. “I was told my vision was really bad,” said Harper, who hit his first Municipal Stadium home run in his first at-bat April 21 against Hickory.

The news was good, yet Robbie Ray didn’t believe his biggest fan. Ray’s mom called her son on Monday to tell him he was named the South Atlantic League’s pitcher of the week. Even though she gave birth to him, he was skeptical. “She told me and I didn’t believe her,” Ray said. “She’s my mom. She’s my No. 1 fan, but I still went to look it up.” Ray, one of Hagerstown’s newest starting pitchers, got online before the Suns went to finish a four-game sweep of Lakewood.

Wow! You can tell summer is here. OK, summer doesn’t officially start until Tuesday at 1:16 p.m., but what are a few hours between friends? It unofficially started 2 1/2 weeks ago when school ended. And you could even push that back to Memorial Day. Let’s face it. It doesn’t matter when it started, summer mode is here. Thoughts of serious business are in a losing battle against daydreams of hitting the open road. So, in an effort to get my head right (yeah, right)

The majority owner of the Hagerstown Suns minor league baseball team said Tuesday an official letter dictating a stricter level of minimum standards for Municipal Stadium forced the team to consider their possible relocation. The latest push in the long-running battle to improve the stadium came to a head in October when owner Bruce Quinn received a letter from Major League Baseball and the Washington Nationals concerning facility improvements that would be required to keep the Suns in Hagerstown.

Bryce Harper showed the Washington Nationals it was finally time to go. Since Washington’s top prospect arrived in Hagerstown, it was a matter of “when” — as opposed to “if” — he would move on to bigger things. The “when” came Sunday night after the Suns’ 8-2 victory over Lexington. Harper was promoted, leaving the low Single-A Suns for Double-A Harrisburg, and started for the Senators in Monday’s game against Erie. It is the next step to his destination in right field at Nationals Park in Washington in the not-so-distant future.

People in my chosen profession have come to hear Bryce Harper talk. The funny thing is very few have actually listened to what the 18-year-old baseball superstar in the making has said. Harper’s comments have been few and concise. He doesn’t care for the full glare of the national spotlight just yet and his comments and availability have been limited by the Washington Nationals to help him keep his mind on baseball. Yet, there is more spin on so few words than on one of the curveballs Harper has been sizing up as a member of the Hagerstown Suns.

The Hagerstown Suns and the Harrisburg Senators have announced a two-year agreement to play a preseason exhibition game. The inaugural game will be played at Municipal Stadium on April 5 at 6 p.m. This will mark the first time two Washington Nationals affiliates compete against one another. Bryce Harper, the Nationals’ 2010 No. 1 draft pick, is expected to make his Hagerstown debut in this contest. “We are excited to put this exhibition game together with two very important and valued franchises within our organization”, said Doug Harris, the Washington Nationals’ Player Development Director.

Molds, like records, are made to be broken. They are nothing more than pre-formed standards. A mold is a model for shaping. A record is a standard that shapes all performances. Bryce Harper is starting his quest to change both concepts. Harper joined the Washington lineup just 10 days ago and has added a whirlwind of interest not only to the Nationals, but to baseball. The 19-year-old former Hagerstown Sun has already made eye-popping defensive plays and timely hits, a couple already leading to wins.

When Brian Daubach talks about the Hagerstown Suns, there is an asterisk at the end each of his statements. “We have a well-rounded team with a lot of speed and some power,” said the Suns manager. “Our position players are very athletic. Our athleticism is big.” Then the asterisk is added. Oh yeah, the Suns have Bryce Harper on the roster. The 2011 Hagerstown Suns roster was unveiled at media day on Monday with a wide array of young talent, all giving Daubach an abundant amount of optimism.

Youth is wasted on the young. George Bernard Shaw hit it on the head all those years ago. Why should young people enjoy the gift of youth? They can’t control something so concentrated and powerful. Shouldn’t there be a learner’s permit or something? As life goes on, “With age comes wisdom,” they say. Truth be told, youth and wisdom are life phases without owners’ manuals. Youth and wisdom were tested on Tuesday with the debut of the infamous video starring Hagerstown Suns outfielder Bryce Harper blowing a kiss to Greensboro pitcher Zach Neal while completing his home run trot.