5/23/01

Softball: The Varied Roads to Injury

Dear People,

Congratz to all on last week’s bone-chilling won-on-the last hit 17-16 exemplification of everything that makes softball so utterly compelling. Oh sure, I personally didn’t see a second of it, stuck as I was in the transitional enslavement of my sister’s dark and dank Seattle basement. Still, Radio-free Tacoma broadcast it live, and thus I was able to wallow in vicarious ecstasy as John’s team rallied from a 10 run 7th inning deficit to ultimate triumph and redemption.

Of course my own joy was later tempered when I heard that spontaneous cries of "FREEDOM!" had erupted throughout the community as soon as Kathy announced that I wouldn’t be there. Admittedly, such sentiment could suggest that I have a somewhat strained relationship with some of the regulars. Pity.

In any case, and as most of you know, this Sunday, May 27th, will mark the 62nd anniversary of the day that the legendary minor-league catcher Joe "kissin’ lips" Sprinz tried to catch a baseball that was dropped from a dirigible floating 1,500 feet above Treasure Island. All of Frisco was abuzz with the arrival of this conceptually brilliant publicity stunt, and for the home-town AAA-League Seals, there had never been so much raw excitement in the local aerobic zeitgeist.

And thus Sprinz stood tall and proud on verdant open grasses that fine Spring Day, and then, as the tension rose, he cocked his tiny little head straight up to the Zeppelin above. Wild screaming arose from the stands as the ball began its relentlessly Newtonian descent, quickly coming ever clearer into view. Yet as ‘ol loverboy focused in on the plummeting orb, he wobbled momentarily, first left, and then right, and then, as time nearly froze, he seemed to regain his footing. Sure enough, the Chronicle reported that a wave of relief swept through the mesmerized crowd as it awaited the imminent melding of ball and mitt.

Unfortunately, the sphere in question did not plunge into Sprinz’ padded left-hand glove, but rather into his previously angelic face, instantaneously shattering his jaw and knocking out four front teeth. Pity. Needless to say, he did not play again until the 1940 season, but as war soon engulfed the world and a frightened nation looked for a new generation of heroes, they found a subtle one in this gentle, unassuming and truly stupid risk-taker.

And therefore, there will be a game at Codornices this Sunday at 5:00, IF I get enough players by this Friday noon. So go ahead and make that commit; This time, do it for Joe "kissin’ lips" Sprinz, the Bay Area’s own, and a towering symbol of why, despite the allure, you really shouldn’t try to catch a baseball that is thrown from a blimp…..Raymond


5/26/01

Softball: Incentives

Dear People,

There will be a game at Codornices this Sunday at 5:00, and as of now, there are still two slots left. Please bring $1 for the field, which for this week only, includes a delightful post-game pedicure, lovingly administered by the losing pitcher…..Ray

PS: Unless you get back to me in the next few minutes, I won’t be able to confirm new commits until late this afternoon.

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