Ball Game, part 2 (extra innings)

After a little feedback from friends and a Louisville Slugger to the head (courtesy of an anonymous comment on my 'flaky' analogy posted a few weeks ago), I thought I'd elaborate a little on the baseball/dating comparison:

1. This analogy is probably more fitting to a baseball practice or baseball tryouts. Don't take it beyond the pitcher-batter idea.

2. Consider it, women who are pursuing men that are NOT stepping up to the plate does not help them to STEP UP and be a MAN. Men need to STAND UP and put forth their best effort. They need the challenge and the chase. Each situation is different, but a healthy relationship is based on the fact that each person inspires the other to be their best- in a simple and wonderful, kind of way. I would not recommend that women date the guys that are forever languishing in the dugout. But everyone has that choice. The point of dating and life is that men learn how to step up to the plate. The dudes who NEVER step out of the dugout just get booted off the team anyway. Women- be your best and the men that can handle what you dish out will be the ones that chase you. Birds of a feather flock together, but the scriptural reference says it best.

3. Men: It may appear that some women are not pitching at all when you are doing your best to ask for a pitch. She may be pitching or winking elsewhere.

4. Women: Just because a particular fellow is not stepping up to your plate does not mean he is not doing his best to hammer a homer (connect) or get a pitch elsewhere.

5. We have a limited view of each other as we live in our little worlds. Sometimes we become generally frustrated that a certain person(s) is not doing what we want s/he to do. Thus the need to gain perspective from other sources.

6. Amen to the comment left on the post: "It's easy to lose track of the whole doggone' game when you're hanging out in the dingy dugout with the boys." That is very true.

7. Also in response to the same comment: Getting "beaned" in the head with a fastball while sitting in the dugout WOULD be a great wake-up call. It may even put a fellow in the hospital. Lighting a fire under the pine bench in the dugout might be even a better idea.

Dating and courting does really hurt now and then, believe me. The pain can inspire growth and understanding or make one retreat (both can be equally helpful). But it is only when we take the greatest risks that we can expect the greatest returns. Though I often feel like a "Little League" kid when I step up to the plate, awkward and inadequate, I must say that the dating/courting experiences that I have had are some of the most rewarding of my life.

Thanks for all of the feedback- it has given me more insight.

Olympic hmmm and hurray!

I think Doug Robinson has a point... I love the Olympics, but what do they symbolize?

Has it become, or has it been, a political show?

Does it strengthen relations between countries?

Berlin Olympics, 1936
(just a few years before Hitler begins invasion of Poland, etc., beginning WW II)

Does it strengthen the illusion and the strangle-hold that some countries have on their people?

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700251931,00.html

What purpose do the Olympics serve? There has been a lot of controversy as the games in Beijing approached and began. Will worldwide attention cause the Chinese government to better address its humanitarian and environmental problems? Or will it serve as a 'cover.' Of course every country can improve its human rights record. Historically, the United States does not have the brightest human rights record either.

What do you think?

Jesse Owens, 1936
Owens wins 4 gold medals in the Berlin Olympics
(read here for an interesting little snip of history on these events at Wikipedia)

"We all have dreams. In order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline and effort."
- Jesse Owens

I love the "human" elements of the Olympics:

Athletes from around the world embracing, encouraging, and rejoicing together.
Coaches comforting an athlete in tears.
A crowd cheering for one who faltered but finished.
Seeing competing athletes congratulate and comfort one another.
Watching parents of olympians cry in the stands.
Seeing individuals pushing themselves to their limits.
Seeing a winner totally freak out when they win.
Seeing individuals heed that eternal spark inside them that always tells them that they CAN do it!

Take me out to the ball game

Here's my take on the good old fashioned game of dating...

Dating is much like baseball. In dating men should step up to the plate & ask a woman for a pitch if they're interested. Women then choose whether or not they'll pitch, & what kind of pitch to give. Both she & he want to know what the other is all about. Good pitchers throw challenging pitches, not soft tosses given half the distance between the mound and home plate, and a good slugger keeps his eye on the ball and swings strong and level.

A man needs to understand & respect the fact that even if he steps up to the plate, a woman may not choose to give him a pitch. It also gets confusing if pitches are unexpectedly thrown into the dugout. A pitcher can wink from the mound & pursue her game, but throwing a pitches to those not up at the plate is not how it works. This is the old-fashioned version of baseball I was taught.

Girl's baseball team from Mill Valley, CA

If you're pitching in baseball tryouts and are not sure of what kind of pitch to throw, watch the catcher. He'll help you. If you're at bat, watch for signals from the 3rd base coach. They both work for the same Manager & Owner, who are always looking for talent to put together as part of a great team.

Men, let us stand and step up to the plate- the women I know are pretty darn good pitchers.

Play ball!

This is the short version of the analogy. Maybe I can expound at a later date on a few points.
-Loren