Congratulate me (or pity me, I haven't decided) --- I have officially made the transition from Unisex T-Ball to Boys Minor League Baseball and Girls Softball T-Ball! Wow. It's very different, isn't it? Wow. Who knew? Well, anyone with a kid in Little League, I guess! I'm embarrassed at my naivete! The politics and melodrama is staggering!! I don't see it much (yet) in the Softball League but Little League?! Oh my!
See, I always thought of politics at the government and corporate office level (sometimes they intertwine, don't they...but that's another lesson for another day!) I knew, too, that there were those parents who took the sport way too seriously. My friends or family would complain about the coach or the other players or the other players' parents and I'd think, "Really? You're getting this upset over Little League?!" But now I see all too clearly! I have found myself complaining about the coach and some of the rules; sniping at some of the other parents and even at some of the players (behind their backs, of course, to actually snipe at them would be rude...ahem.) I've lamented about Leo only playing half the game while others his age play the whole game (yeah, so they're better, what about it?!) I've sounded like Vince Lombardi in the locker room before the big game giving Leo a pep talk about bending his knees in his batter's stance, staying in ready position in the field, no dancing in right field, no blowing bubbles that impede his ability to see past said bubble, to keep his glove on his hand not on his head, etc. You know, the stuff the MLB moms stress about with their boys (I wonder if we could get Mrs. Jeter or Halliday to confirm). Gene's and my pillow talk is usually a recap of the game or practice. I know, steamy, right?!
The parents complain about the coaches, the coaches complain about the League higher-ups, the League higher-ups complain about the coaches AND the parents and everyone is sweet and lovely and chatty when face to face at the fields. Peyton Place, I'm telling you! Whoever out there thinks men are not as bad if not WORSE than women when it comes to gossip and hurt feelings is saaaaadly mistaken! Whoa Nellie!
Yes, it's a whole new world for this girl. I will say I've met some of the nicest people (and of course not-so nice)! People I would most likely never have met otherwise. I've gotten to sit out in the fresh air and enjoy watching an evening of baseball (well, of boys running around on a diamond-shaped field, anyway) or watching an evening or morning of practice while simultaneously sharing in adult conversation. You can always tell a parent that's got a kid in a sport; they can have a complete conversation without making eye contact with you once! I think I'll actually miss it when it's over. We're in the play-offs stage at the moment; double elimination...very exciting! By this time next week I'll be missing those parents (no, not all of them) and the conversation, and watching Leo get more and more into the sport (he actually got a killer hit last night). I'm not too worried though.....
Swim Team meets start next week.
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