Softball: A Yarn of Consanguinity
Dear People,
Jim McGuire's team trounced my own, 23-16, but let the record show that from the ashes of this wretched debasement sprung the seeds of a broader fraternal triumph. Sort of. The fact is that Jimmy's contingent had some incalculable and unexpected advantages, including staggering community debuts by both Katherine and Mark. Yet we still stayed within striking distance until the very end, and for that I credit my oldest brother Lawrence-that eminent New Yorker intellectual with those renowned spindly legs. Frankly, I had dreaded the possible humiliation of a classic Weschlerian implosion, but in reality he was a surprisingly reliable presence, if, by reliable, we mean that he made the third rally-crushing out in no fewer than four out of five at bats.
Still, it was actually his cringe-avoiding performance in the outfield that kept our defensive ramparts in reasonably fine fiddle. Indeed, he effectively returned several line drives to short, and of course it was his disciplined handling of Jerry's explosive 2-on 2-out 7th-inning bullet to right that made me most proud. Now admittedly, it quickly became apparent that the blazing orb in question was heading a good three feet to the left of Lawrence's casually raised glove, and Saadia soon realized that he wasn't actually “reacting” to the Euclidean dilemma at hand. Fortunately, though, the Saadster dashed a full 20 yards from deep center-right to make the dramatic snag in time, and while that was certainly impressive, I think we can all agree that by stepping decisively out of the way, the real hero was my very own sib-prudent, semi-inert and athletically self-aware.
The point is that it's always tempting to try and hide your own family from the discomforting glare of the public reveal, and God only knows that in my case, the sundry loonage that make up our familial core justifies a robust policy of discretion, concealment and arguably forced exile. Nevertheless, I bet that once in a long while, all of you will also be able to seize on those anomalous moments of normalcy and grace and yell out with a rare clarion dignity, “These are my kin, my kin they are, and today I know no shame!” And therefore there will be a game at Grove Park (for one last week) this Sunday at 11, IF I get enough commits by this Friday morning. . . Raymond
11/1/13
Softball: An Extra Hour to Snooze
Dear People,
There will be a game at Grove Park this Sunday at 11, and as of now there are still five slots left.
Please bring $4 for the field, which, as always, includes my personal pledge to you to never share your hitting, fielding or other aerobic records with any third parties, unless of course I receive significant remuneration.
Also: Don't forget to set your your clocks back one hour on Saturday night, lest you arrive at Grove one hour too early-alone, frightened and feeling like the chrono-dufus that you just don't wanna be. . .Raymond 845-7552