Grumpy Old Man

Amber had her second tee ball game this morning. Luck for her the rain started right after her game, Carlos' game was rained out though. In our team's bleachers sat a couple whom I had never encountered at the games or practices before. They were older though so I thought it was someone's grandparents maybe. Well this man talked and talked and talked. I personally think maybe he liked his voice. He had opinions on a lot and, joy, I was sitting right behind him so heard them all. One of the topics were how children's sports were getting out of hand, he had heard of some town's making parents attend a certain amount of hours of class before their child could play. The class was taught to promote proper sportsmanship, yada, yada. Yes parents and sometimes even coaches get a little crazy. I witnessed it myself at a tee ball game sever years ago. But all our town makes us do is read a form and sign a paper stating we understand what is expected of us and what is prohibited.

Into the first inning, Amber is on 3rd base. If you know nothing about baseball or tee ball, let me fill you in on 2 things. When playing a base you do not stand "on" the base. There are *no outs in tee ball. So technically even if a kid on 3rd base was thrown the ball for a play which they would not be because tee ballers are always taught the play is at first no matter what, it wouldn't *really matter if the 3rd base person were stepping on the base or not. So back to Amber on 3rd base. This grandfather, who I by now had realized was a grandfather of a child of the opposing team, why he was sitting in our bleachers is a mystery, says look at this kid, get on the base. I had no clue who or what he was talking about. Next thing he says geez the girl has a pink glove what should I expect. Oh no he didn't, he is talking about my Amber. Shut the front door! No way. I say nothing I am just kind of in shock.

So my dear daughter who obviously was not entirely clear enough on the technicalities of the game for this gentleman, mind you this is her 2nd game ever, launches into a full on rant of why are girls playing baseball anyway, that is a boatload of crap, not in my day this wouldn't have happened. They belong in softball, not baseball. I am trying my darnest to keep my gums from flapping, because at this point I do believe there may have been steam escaping from my ears. I felt like saying my girl can hit that ball as far if not further than any boy on that team. I felt like saying one of the best players on the team happens to be a girl, not mine mind you, another adorable little thing with the heart of a true sports hero in her little body.

Finally when I had had enough I look at John, who I am not even sure was following, and say honey next year you will be signing the code of conduct for parents so I don't have to abide by it and can tell big mouths where to go. Of course this is not true, I will sign it, I was just trying to prove my point. I further added that it is individuals who run their mouths too much about topics that others find offensive may be the reason we parents have to sign the code of conduct forms to begin with. I see John rolling his eyes at me behind his sunglasses. Poor guy. But really. Obviously my "loud" conversation with John made my point clear because this chauvinistic pig kept his mouth shut the rest of the game. Oh and the kicker. His grandchild was.........a girl!