6/23/98
Softball: A Bit More than the Usual Drivel
Dear People,
Congratz to all on last week's somewhat less than splendiferous, yet culturally intriguing 21-10 exercise in robust enforested aerobicism.The presence of such a hearty group of Gaelic visitors added to the overall mythic quality of the game, and to my mind adds contextual credence to the latest historical theories which trace the origins of modern baseball back to the defeat of the Norse outside of Dublin in the legendary Battle of Clontarf circa 1014 AD (Indeed, Henry II's glib 1171 comment that "On that isle to the West, they playeth with stickith and ball of which not ein can trust" seems so modern in observational tone, particularly after Saturday's festivities).
In any case, there will another game at Codorneices Park this Saturday at 5PM, if I get enough commits by this Friday morning. As several of you know, last week's game became full before you committed, and of course I, as a Trotskyist internationalist lunatic, am loath to close recreational borders. Dilemmas, dilemmas, two dogs, one bone, and blah blah blah. Thus, after consulting with my rabbi, attorney and a committee of distinguished athletic ethicists, I've decided to compromise and initially limit email commits to the recipient and two invites. However, if by Friday morning there are still openings among the 22 available slots, they will be given to all comers before I resort to the traditional beg letter, and since our cherished Irish comrades will be here for the next couple weeks, I strongly suggest that you get in your commit by Thursday night if you want to be sure you'll be able to play on Saturday.
Of course regardless, that day will mark the 135th birthday of John "Stone face" Coleman, a pitcher whose 48 losses in 1883 remains the most defeats ever endured in a single season. So make that commit; Do it for peace and prosperity in Ulster, and for John "Stone Face" Coleman, two tremendously varied concepts upon which to focus one's thoughts...Raymond
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