I knew they were done with their chores when I heard the bounce,

bounce, bounce of a basketball in the hay mow above the tiestall

barn. The wooden floor was uneven but when the hay was

emptied out each spring, the boys would keep it swept clean

so they could play basketball.

 

That old wooden floor saw more games than I can count

between brothers and friends – and every now and then –

two, worn-out parents who were conned into stopping up

for a quick game of 21 after milking.

 

Basketballs were often lost down the hay chute, landing next to the cows

who were used to the orange orb that occasionally landed under their belly or

in their manger and sometimes in the gutter. I think we tossed that ball back

up into the mow a half dozen times per milking.

 

The older they grew, the more competitive they became and the

arguments ensued. There was rarely a game that was played that Jake wouldn’t

storm through the barn all sweaty and yell, “Luke’s a cheater!”

Thirty seconds later Luke would come through snarling, “Jake’s a baby!”

But the next night, after their chores were done, bounce, bounce, bounce.

 

That old barn floor hasn’t seen much action lately as the dirty barn shoes that

tripped over the uneven boards have been traded in for dress shoes that stand

on the side lines in the local gym. These two boys who fed calves,

bedded stalls and then fought over flagrant fouls in the hay mow court

are now standing shoulder to shoulder calling plays and offering

encouragement to 10-year-old boys just learning the game.

 

Who knew the barn ball games that incited sibling rivalries

would be the training ground for two young men to teach

youngsters how to pass, dribble and shoot?

 

Who knew those hot afternoons in the hay mow

would develop a passion for a game that would be passed on to the next

generation?

 

Who knew on a small farm in rural America, a barn would offer shelter for

a herd of cows, storage for their feed and a center court for young boys to grow

into young men who would teach other young boys the value of a team sport well

played?

 

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and

not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for

Melissa Hart may write to her in care of this publication.