Play Ball!!

This Country has faced many epidemics in it's history but I think none compare to the widespread growth and popularity of softball, especially for young girls. You can't compare it to wild fires, more like illegal immigration out of Mexico. Let's face it, you can't get near a chicken plant without running into a thousand drunken illegal aliens.

Anyway, maybe this has been going on for a while and I didn't realize it because my girls weren't old enough to play. But it is in full swing today, buddy. Every year the ages get lower and lower, the tournaments and leagues get bigger and bigger, the games more and more competitive, and the coaching more aggressive.

Last year my two daughters played on five different teams. They had to be places, usually different places, every single day. When softball isn't in season, lessons are in order. At $60 an hour for two hours every weekend, nearly all winter long! Shoes, bats, gloves, hairbows, sleeve scrunchies for Christ sakes, sliding shorts, sports bras, entry fees upon entry fees, not to mention the travel expenses, food, etc.

In all probability, softball has cost me a new bass boat, a bigger "man room", and hours upon hours of time I could have been making home improvement (like fixing the toilet) or watching Sumo Wrestling (or whatever happens to be on ESPN).

But what do you do? You can't fight it, you can't deprive the children of a chance at a scholarship and chance to play in the Olympics (as if one percent of the girls playing even have a shot). So you go with the flow, rack up some serious miles, and hope the grandparents are there to feed you because we spent all our money paying rent for Hibbett Sports.

So, if you have kids and they are able to play sports and want to play sports, embrace it and do whatever you can to support their efforts. Hold them when the get hurt, encourage them when they lose, celebrate with them when they win, teach sportsmanship, and as a parent keep your mouth shut and your ass in your seat during the game. No one wants to hear or see an unruly parent that disagrees with a call or coaching decision.

Next month we are playing a charity softball game to raise money (of course) for the fields and local leagues. For once I get to go to the field and actually play! I will pay the parking fee, buy a t-shirt (or 4), enter the home run derby and have some illegal aliens fix me lunch at the concession stand. No really, the parents will be doing that.

Anyway, I say... let's Play Ball!!