Play’s the Thing: The Cyclones’ season seems to ride along much like a trip on the roller coaster for which the team is named. There’s a long, slow ascent, as most of the future members of the Cyclones short-season team take part in extended spring training in Florida, or perform for college teams prior to the baseball draft in early June. Meanwhile, the full-season teams in minor league baseball begin their seasons in early April. Comment.

Play’s the Thing: Cyclones fans in the know realize that their starting catcher, Aaron Hathaway, is back from an injury to the ligaments in his left thumb, and he’s ready to flex his superior throwing arm as their team enters the playoffs. Comment.

Play’s the Thing: “I saw it on the radio” is an expression dear to broadcasters of the pictureless medium because it defines what every radio announcer is trying to do — make the listener see in his mind’s eye what is happening on the ball field. Comment.

Play’s the Thing: The 2004 Brooklyn Cyclones baseball cards came out recently, and this Choice Sportscard set is pretty nice. They’re sold at Keyspan Park, and, like most baseball cards, they have a photo of a player on the front and his biography — albeit brief in these Cyclones’ case— on the back. Comment.

Play’s the Thing: Keyspan Park is normally a pretty happy place. After a 44-year absence, the return of professional baseball in 2001 to Brooklyn was greeted with open arms. Those arms aren’t so open right now, and here’s why. Comment.

Play’s the Thing: The Hall of Fame catcher was leaning over the rail at the home plate end of the Cyclones dugout, as close as possible to the young Brooklyn catcher on the field. Comment.

Play’s the Thing: The Bombers wore dark-blue pinstriped baseball uniforms, and they were gathered behind the third-base dugout in Brooklyn. Some of them were big, athletic guys. Comment.

Play’s the Thing: A Brooklyn baseball fan will say he’s going out to Keyspan Park to “see” the Cyclones game. But, with so many sounds associated with the game, a fan could just as well say that he’s going to “hear” it. Comment.

Play’s the Thing: Brooklyn baseball has long had its share of “Babes” — Babe Herman, Babe Phelps, Babe Dahlgren and even Babe Ruth, who was a coach with the Dodgers in 1938. Comment.

Play’s the Thing: Most Brooklyn schools are out for the summer, but as traditional schools were wrapping things up, another type of school was just getting underway. Comment.

Play’s the Thing: LAST WEEK we enlightened you as to which Cyclones would be fielding which positions … almost. This week, we’re going to finish the job by describing the other two positions, both essential to a professional game: the pitcher and, well, we’ll get to the other one later. Comment.

Play’s the Thing: After a week in action, the 2004 Brooklyn Cyclones have already had numerous changes to their roster. Between the June 21 game at Hudson Valley and the next day’s home opener there were eight roster moves. So, in an effort to prevent Cyclones fans from suffering the same befuddled state as Lou Costello, let’s present our second annual “Who’s On First” (all stats as of June 23). Comment.

Play’s the Thing: DID YOU EVER have a summerhouse to which you returned each year, after a wait that seemed interminable? Perhaps your annual summer return was to a camp, or to grandma’s place in the country, or your favorite beach, be it near or far. Comment.