I'm a Scrapper!

A couple of weeks ago I explained that neither the softball team I play on nor the soccer team I coach has won a game. I was convinced that last night was the end of those losing ways. With six minutes to play (games are limited to an hour in our league) and a one run lead going into the bottom of what was to be the final inning, our team was pumped. We had just erased a four run deficit with our previous at bat. Pitch, hit, a man on first. Pitch, pitch, pitch, pitch, two runners on. A couple of outs later we’re down a run. We were never able to get to the next inning. Time was up and we had lost yet again. The thing that stung the most was what happened as the umpire walked by our bench after the game. You see, somewhere in the middle of that last inning…actually right after the go-ahead run was scored, our left-center fielder Scott asked if we should appeal that the runner never touched second base. The game moved on and we lost. But as the ump walked by us on the way to his car he said, “guys, next time appeal second.” ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! Scott was right. He missed the bag. Not only would that have taken a run away, it would have given us a crucial out and more than likely a chance to win. I almost wish the ump hadn’t said anything. Sometimes you’ve got to take every break you get. Fight for every inch.
I know my Dad understands this. He has this theory some would call paranoia. He has experienced circumstances so often repeated that he actually thinks our family may have a bit of a curse on us. Now, he and I will both give you the spiritual spin, “As Christians, we’re aliens in this sinful world and the world is working against us.” The truth is it seems that no matter what we do, something always happens. I’ll give you an example you can all identify with, the grocery store line. My dad tells the story of he and my mom standing in line at a grocery store. The inevitable happens and someone ahead of them causes a back up by not having what they need or by being a high maintenance customer. My mom suggests they change lines but Dad tells her that if they move to another line something else will go wrong in that one. She doesn’t believe him, chooses to move and the cash register tape runs out or breaks at that line. The same goes for traffic. Whichever lane my Dad is in he believes will stop moving. Now I have fought buying into this for a long time but the longer I observe this strange phenomenon the more I have to ask the question, “could Dad be right?” I’m not going to jump on the bandwagon quite yet but if we don’t win a stinkin game soon I’m gonna lose it! Until then, I'm fighting for every break; looking for every edge. This is the Irish way. "Nobody's going to give you anything, you've got to go out there a take it." That's exactly what I plan to do. I'm a scrapper!

Comments

[Brandon Orr]

Dude you need to be documenting this stuff for your daughters. Also, I read all the time. Love to read and one of my favorite things to read is memoirs. Dude this is better than most of the books I read. Save all these and take them to a book company and get them published. If you don't want to do it...just keep them and sell them to me and I will take them to a book company and get on Oprah. I think this way of communcation through a blog like this is a gift and you are awesome at it. I am not just saying this to be nice either.... I wouldn't shoot bull like that to anyone. I am serious....look into putting these in a book.

[Brandon Orr]

Dude you need to be documenting this stuff for your daughters. Also, I read all the time. Love to read and one of my favorite things to read is memoirs. Dude this is better than most of the books I read. Save all these and take them to a book company and get them published. If you don't want to do it...just keep them and sell them to me and I will take them to a book company and get on Oprah. I think this way of communcation through a blog like this is a gift and you are awesome at it. I am not just saying this to be nice either.... I wouldn't shoot bull like that to anyone. I am serious....look into putting these in a book.