3/30/99

Softball: The Planet's Game

Dear People,

Congratz to all on last week's somewhat torpid two and half hour 30-24 display of compelling athletic stamina, manifested as it was within the context of a game that had clearly matured, ripened and rotted before its overdue and merciful denouement. That it took place on the very weekend that the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Cuban All-Star team in a momentous peace-affirming 3-2 paradigm of international athletic diplomacy only adds to the splendor of it all, and while televised replays confirm that the two matches were remarkably similar, it's probably fair to say that pitching was a bit stronger in Havana than it was in Berkeley.

In any case, I am pleased to announce that there will be another game this SUNDAY, April 4th, at 2PM, at Kleeberger North, if I get enough commits by this Friday noon (Saturday was booked). Now I realize that the 4th is Easter Day, and I'm certainly not going to distort history in order to woo you into playing on a date that you may find more appropriate for other activities. Sure, I could claim that Jesus and the apostles loved a good game of baseball, but the plain historical fact is that their passion was rugby, and I think we all accept that.

Nevertheless, I would like to point out that while I make no guarantees, I have it on good authority that athletic emissaries from Mongolia will be in attendance this Sunday, in hopes of recruiting our own players for a game to be played against the Ulan Bator Camels sometime this Spring, at the Genghis Khan Arena and Mutton House, in beautiful downtown Ulan Bator. So make that commit; Not for Jesus or Moses or DiMaggio or even 'ol Jack 'crab nose' Warhop, but merely for the potential opportunity to bring yet another round of baseball diplomacy to a troubled world...Ray

PS: Somebody left a black glove at last week's game; It craves the gentle touch of its owner's hand.

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