Last week we had a softball game that should have been a walkthrough. The team we faced hadn't won a game yet, while we were 2-2, with a loss to the best team in the league, and a close loss that went to the final inning. We knew we'd have a slightly hard time because we were missing three of our best players, but we thought we had it made. I was even picked to pitch... always a dangeorus choice, mainly 'cause I could go either way. So we go in, and I'm scheduled to pitch the first three innings. The way the balls were hit, each inning should have been 1-2-3. Emphasis on should've been. By the time I went into the dugout for the third time, they had scored 10 unearned runs against us, while we had placed only 2. Our team was not in the best of spirits. I'm sure that added to some of the snappiness some of our players had towards the other team.
Halfway through, it was becoming clear that our teams were not getting along. We'd snap at them, they'd make our less skilled players swing at balls they shouldn't have... at one point there was almost a beaning incident with a runner from second to home. But the real trouble came with the umpire. Now we'd had him before, so we knew we'd have problems. The thing is, he likes to talk to alot of the players up to bat, especially the women. So one of my teammates goes up to him and asks him to stop hitting on our players... I actually found it to be fairly polite. Of course the other team and the ump didn't think so, so from then on in the tension on the field was... well, tense.
Anyway, it was after the game ended that the real shit hit the fan. Our respective managers met eachother on the field to discuss the problems, and then more of the teammates form both teams did. Alot of shouting an name-calling ensued (with one of their teammates saying that while we were a great team, one of our players should really look into getting some 'help'). Then the umpire and that same player go at it, yelling at eachother. He even threatened to kick him outa the league.
So why the title of this entry? Well, as always, I'm in the middle trying to be the moderator, the guy trying to get the dueling factions to their opposite sides. I saw where it was gonna end up, either some of our players getting booted from the league or someone throwing a fist, so I'm there trying to calm everybody down, not backing up either sides opinions. It was pointed out to me, and of course I realized it, that I do this ever time, choosing a neutral position and not 'backing up your team like your supposed to'. It was only on the following day discussing it with my friend (who was one of the players cursing like a sailor) that I realized exactly why I do that (both in sports and other similar incidents, like bar fights).
In high school, I was not a member of any team sports, so I don't think I ever really learned what it was like to stick with your teammates actions/decision no matter what. Almost all of my young adult/adult history with competition/confrontation stems from my years as a camp counselor. So looking back, whenever there was a problem, whenever there was a dispute of any kind, it was our job to step in an make sure the initial rumblings were as far as it went, and to cool down each respective side. The problem is, I've never let go of that mentality, and I'm always there, treating my friends like little children on a playground.
Watching: Lost, Heroes, 24, Criminal Minds Listening: Brobdingnagian Bards Reading: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman Playing: Final Fantasy XII Eating: Healthy...er Doing: Running... hopefully Wishing:
Comic Quote of the Week
"It's trying to end the suffering of everything. Do you want to discuss our options? Maybe together we can, you know, workshop?"
"Okay, best way to stop a ten-story godlike monster from destroying existence? I'm gonna go with hitting, you have anything?"
"You took mine."
Wesley and Angel, Angel: After The Fall #15
Who Am I?
Name: Holz Home: Sonoma County, California About Me: I'm a comfortador. See my complete profile
AKA: Ozymandias, DrOzymandias, Darth Angelus, Darque Feonix, Trip McNeely Kicking ass for: 29 years Job: UWing Systems Design Specialist Walking Theme: Believe It Or Not by Joey Scarbury Most watched movie: The Princess Bride Most read book: The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King
"Let a man get away with fuckin' you once, you stay bent over so's he can fuck you again whenever he damn well pleases. An' if one man can do it? Another will too. An' another, an' another still. So's being fucked, that's yer life. 'Til who you were, you ain't. 'Cause all you are is an asshole." 100 Bullets #42
