An American Past Time

Baseball is such a popular game because it mimics life so well. I have always found baseball to be the perfect metaphor for life, probably because I grew up on the diamond and learned how to interact with people while spitting and getting dirty and saying things like, "Hon now babe. Whadya say?"

People are getting ever more violent, illustrated by the coach at the ball game tonight assulting the umpire. The parents in the stand, instead of cooling down their coach, booed the umpire.

The game on the field seemed secondary to the drama in the stands and I think that says a lot about parents today, about the misplaced focus on politics and celebrity in an American culture which fails to study the game, distracted instead by the drunken fans dancing shirtless in the left field bleachers.

Baseball--life--only works when you respect it, try and perfect it through attention to detail. Small ball. Back up the pitcher when the catcher tosses back to the mound, advance the runner into scoring position by hitting behind him. Yes, making sure your shirt is tucked in.

Root for your son when he's out on the field instead of flirting with your buddies wife, instead of gossiping about the well fed parent sitting in the corner of the bleachers.