Monday, August 31, 2009

When Bad Guys Win

My wife plays kickball on a highly-competitive summer league here in Lawrence. You read that right: kickball.

Her team made it to the final four this year (out of like 30 teams). They lost last night to the eventual champions. I'm okay with losing. Losing is part of life. So is winning, sometimes. On rare occasions, you even tie.

I'm not okay with #4. #4, a player for the winning squad, is an ass. Aimee's team, The Eastsiders (don't ask...we live on the west side of town), played the champs twice this season. In the first meeting, #4 whined about numerous calls and even knocked the ball out of play after being thrown out, allowing one of his teammates to take first base. "That's how I run," he claimed. I don't see a lot of grown men, especially those involved in competitive sports, running with one hand wagging over their buttocks like a tail, but maybe that's just me.

The point is, #4 was a jerk last night, too. Whining about calls. Faking kicks. (this league needs a strike rule...seriously) Dropping a fly ball to catch two base runners in a dirty double play. (this league needs to reinstate the infield fly rule...nobody drops a fly ball in the infield except on purpose...right #4)

But his team won. Not only the semi-final against The Eastsiders, but the whole enchilada later that night. Congratulations, of course, especially to the gracious, sporting members of your team. But you're still a dick, #4, and you'll have to live with that.

__________


Today is the deadline to submit Hint Fiction for Robert Swartwood's Hint Fiction Anthology. I have two bits that I'm riding the fence about, but I might as well sub them, right? Losing is part of life. Sometimes winning is, too. But I can't do either if I don't try.

17 comments:

Cate Gardner said...

Mr Smartwood has received so many subs we're bound to be in good company if/when we don't make it in. I wasn't happy with my entries but they're gone and that is that.

Oh, and you've been tagged.

Aaron Polson said...

Huzzah for tag!

Jamie Eyberg said...

#4 probably has children and is teaching them the proper way to play. Do as I say not as I do. Right?

Rebecca Nazar said...

Karma, ultimately, is an excellent referee.

Elana Johnson said...

Wow, a kickball league. This has so much potential for a movie. I love the hand-wagging line. Can't stop laughing. :)

Aaron Polson said...

Jamie - we can only hope, right?

Rebecca - I (heart) karma.

Elana - they have sweet jerseys and everything.

Alan W. Davidson said...

I play in a men's basketball league on Monday night with a bunch of geriatric types who play for exercise. Once in a while we'll get one come along who takes it way too seriously...I know exactly where you're coming from!

Unknown said...

#4 sounds like the kindve guy that needs a good intro to cagefighting in the kickball parking lot.

Snort.

Katey said...

#4 sounds like a story waiting to happen! It's like Chaucer says in "A Knight's Tale" (er, the movie, not the actual story): "I will eviscerate you in fiction. ... I was naked for a day, but you shall be naked for all eternity."

Oh wait, that'd be vindictive.

But fun.

Brendan P. Myers said...

The older I get, the closer I come to the conclusion that the bad guys always win.

L.R. Bonehill said...

I always like it when bad guys win in fiction, but in real life it’s just not fair.

I almost forgot about the Hint Fiction deadline – managed to get my 25 words in just in time.

Danielle Birch said...

The sad thing is, #4 will probably never realise just how much of a dick he is.

Fox Lee said...

He sounds more like a number two : P

Aaron Polson said...

Alan - yeah, I'm the guy who should be in better shape than I am and thrilled that the ball (ever) goes through the hoop

Jeremy - That would make kickball a true contact sport.

Katey - Ah, vindictive but artsy and fun.

Brendan - So hard to lose those childhood delusions...

L.R. - good luck

Danielle - sad for him, really...not that I'm crying or anything

Natalie - maybe 2 #2s. Like a big pile of...

Anonymous said...

Yay, Hint Fiction! :)

One day #4 will stagger into the hospital with a stiletto stuck in his eye.

No need to thank me. Got your back.

-Mercedes

Jameson T. Caine said...

Years ago, a girlfriend tried to get me to join her softball league. It was jerks like #4 that kept me away. For me, life is too short to waste time with such individuals.

Aaron Polson said...

Mercedes - sweet angel of karma, yes!

Jameson - playing is fun. Playing with jerks is like going to work.