"Over The Fence is Out" written by Jonathan Rhoades (pen name for true crime writer Jack Olsen), is a book I read, and relied on to put a smile on my face during my very own tumultuous pre adult years. The story is also narrated by one Jonathan Rhoades, of the of the... yep, you guessed it, the Rhoades clan. On the surface, the Rhoades family seem normal enough. A two parent household, kids ranging from Charley, age five, to Uncle Harry, who was only older in the context of chronological age.

The title of this little romp refers to a rule in the kids' sandlot baseball games; baseballs being hard to come by, hitting one over the fence was considered an out, not a home run.  All because some "old codger" parked his house just a few feet beyond the fence and would swoop in and confiscate each and every "long ball" that landed in that yard.  

As fiction in a memoir style, the narrative covers the long, hard process known as "growing up". All the while learned many valuable lessons -- none of which were to be found in "Alsop's Fables." They learned how to make fermented root beer, how to get the "feel" of a pinball machine, how to treat a cat for appendicitis (before ObamaCare, obviously).

They also discovered the way to make a profit on a lemonade stand: by spiking the product with vodka. Casualties: one mailman, one delivery boy, and a cop. In todays bizarro world, kids across the nation must have a "permit" to set up a lemonade stand. I'm not suggesting this incident with the Rhoades business endeavor is the sole impetus for "that" specific regulation, but it probably is. I am quite positive some Washington bureaucrat was paid wages (above private sector levels I might add) to research such blatant disregard for, well, let's just say it...

"Big Gummit" (in my southern twang)...or for you highly educated elites -- Big Government OVERSIGHT!

Today's American entrepreneurs — especially small business owners — face a nearly impossible, labyrinthine landscape. In addition to an already-struggling economy, tight credit, and global competition, they face a federal government bent on spreading red tape and killing jobs. It's a regulatory onslaught from Washington unlike any in recent memory.

Government overreach is impeding the engine of economic growth and the uncertainty that comes from political gridlock and partisanship surrounding tax and regulatory reform certainly doesn't make it any easier. In an interview a couple of years ago, Bernie Marcus, co-founder of Home Depot was asked "What is the biggest impediment for entrepreneurs today?"...to which Mr. Marcus replied..."The U.S. government. Having built a small business into a big one, I can tell you that today the impediments that the government imposes are impossible to deal with. Home Depot would never have succeeded if we'd tried to start it today. Every day you see rules and regulations from a group of Washington bureaucrats who know nothing about running a business. And I mean every day. It's become stifiling."

In addition to overwhelming regulations is a burdensome tax code that smothers small business. The Internal Revenue Service estimates that business with less that $1 million in revenue bear almost two-thirds of business compliance costs. Those costs are much larger, relative to revenues or assets, for small firms than for big ones.

In the sandlot game of entrepreneurs , fewer and fewer are willing to step to the plate, swing for the fence in fear the "old codger", i.e. "Big Gummit" will steal their baseball. Baseballs that are hard to come by. For the U.S. economy to thrive, I mean, single and double hitters are needed, but each and every team needs someone ready, willing and able to stand at the plate and try to launch the long ball.

Back to the Rhoades clan and all their neighborhood friends. I recently had a chance to meet and speak(*) with many from that neighborhood lo these many years later. And to a person, each and every one speculate the "Over The Fence is Out" rule is the sole reason why none of the kids in the neighborhood became major league players.

(*)in my mind.

I searched high and low, couldn't find not one of those "Rhoades Rascals", or anyone that would admit to knowing or hearing of them.

Just "random thoughts from a spotless mind"