Where do I begin with this week’s song?  Let’s see... earlier in the week I had some free time and was trying to think of a song, so I started a new music file on my computer called “Why Do We Need Baseball In Portland (When the Mariners Are Three Hours Away)?”  But inspiration didn’t really hit, and that song ended up being the start of a song about the Portland Beavers (a song as yet unfinished, but one that will hopefully appear on this blog sometime soon).  Anyway, when push came to shove today, I was back to my original theme.  Baseball is in the air right now, of course, as new major and minor league seasons have just begun.  I’m also a big fan of barbershop-style music, so this week’s song, “Pro Baseball In Portland,” is a barbershop-style look at--or, more accurately, opinion on--the contentious issue of bringing major league baseball to Portland.  If my views don’t match yours, sorry!  But we can all agree on tight four-part harmony, right?

Lyrics:

Why do we need pro baseball in Portland?

It’s hard to believe that we do.

Oh, where would we put such a big stadium,

And acres of parking lots, too?

Why do we need pro baseball in Portland?

It’s more than a question of space.

The taxes and traffic, the public debates--

The goal just isn’t worth the chase.

Oh, who needs a new team with the Beavers in town?

Triple A never looked so swell.

Amazing, Athletic, Astounding are they,

With Bucky the Beaver as well!

Oh why do we need pro baseball in Portland?

Our sports lives are full, it is plain.

The Blazers and Winter Hawks, the Vikings and Ducks,

Are plenty to keep us insane.

Why do we need pro baseball in Portland?

Though I’m sure the games would be fun,

Still why does out city feel the need to do

Whatever Seattle has done?

The Mariners play just three hours away,

You can get there right on the train.

They’ve got Ichiro there, but greatest of all:

A retractable roof for the rain!

Oh why do we need pro baseball in Portland?

This ever will be my refrain.

If Major League Baseball wants Portland so bad,

Let’s send it over to Maine.

So take me out to the ball game,

In a city of some other name.

(One, two, three strikes you’re out in a city of some other name,

A city of some other name!)