I took a back seat to the baseball game. It allowed me a nice view of BoBo – out in right field. Nearby, a father heckled his players. You would have thought it was a football game by his over enthusiastic prodding. Sitting on a bail of hay draped with my blanket, I was comfortable enough to put up with the annoyance.
Then one of our players did not slide at home plate. He nearly took out the opponent “football” style. It was horrifying to all watching. The comments from the opponent seemed to attack our whole community. From the neighborhood with more money (more debt is probably more accurate), the comments worked to point out a difference perceived by a select few. It was as if our whole team was playing “dirty” when, in fact, it was only the one player. Still, it takes only one move like that to turn the umpires against you. Our boys played on to a 2-point loss.
Afterwards, some of our parents slipped out quietly. I took it upon myself to do a little post-game mingling with the other side. Because we really aren’t that different – some of our kids go to the same school.
Let’s hope that tonight’s game goes off with only the best of sportsmanship from the players and the parents.
Good sportsmanship seems to be harder to come by than it should be. It used to be that everyone took the opportunity to teach good sportsmanship to kids via their kid level team sports. Now it is all about the competition. Tough world. Good for you for schmoozing the “other” side to narrow the us vs them (imaginary) gap.
In baseball, coming in hard at home plate is considered good physical play. I know. I used to play catcher. I also got taken out at third base playing that position with my glove down when someone didn’t slide. That’s the way the game is played. Has nothing to do with being dirty…
In little league, although the players are in high school, not sliding at home plate is grounds for being thrown out. Of note, the loud mouthed Dad also nearly got thrown out for getting into it with the Ref.
2 points??????
….just kidding Juls!
We could have used those points. 2 points would have tied up the game.
I think Vince is pointing out that in baseball it is “runs” instead of points….lol Nevertheless wish I had more parents like you on my son’s team that I managed even though you are terminology challenged :)
Oh, I thought he meant “Points” like in that movie (I think it was called “Death Race 2000”). Thanks for explaining.