THE BALLOON MAN

BASEBALL PLAYING ELEPHANTS

Asia, a 43 year-old elephant, gets encouragement from Miami Marlins' mascot Billy, right, as she makes her way to home plate after kicking a plastic ball outside the new Marlins Ballpark under the guidance of her trainer Tabab Maluenda, center, on Thursday, January 5, 2011in Miami, Florida. CARL JUSTE / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Asia, a 43-year-old elephant, attempts to bat a soft plastic ball outside the new Marlins Ballpark under the guidance of her trainer Tabab Maluenda, center, on Thursday, January 5, 2011in Miami, Florida. CARL JUSTE / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Asia, a 43-year-old elephant, attempts to bat a soft plastic ball outside the new Marlins Ballpark under the guidance of her trainer Tabab Maluenda on Thursday, January 5, 2011in Miami, Florida. CARL JUSTE / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus' Kyle Baker, left, assists in retrieving plastic balls for Asia to hit. Asia, a 43-year-old elephant, attempted to bat a soft plastic ball outside the new Marlins Ballpark under the guidance of her trainer Tabab Maluenda on Thursday, January 5, 2011in Miami, Florida. CARL JUSTE / MIAMI HERALD STAFF

Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus' Kyle Baker balances a bat on his chin. Asia, a 43-year-old elephant, attempted to bat a soft plastic ball outside the new Marlins Ballpark under the guidance of her trainer Tabab Maluenda on Thursday, January 5, 2011in Miami, Florida. CARL JUSTE / MIAMI HERALD STAFF
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/01/05/2575704/an-elephant-at-bat-the-circus.html#storylink=cpy