When I played Little League in the late 70s there were four levels. Tee-ball was for 8 years olds. The Minors was the next level after that for 9 year olds and was the first year of pitching. Intermediate was the next level of mostly 10 year olds. The Majors was the last level that was played for two years before a kid could move on to the teenage league.
I played Tee-ball. I played in the Minors. The year I was supposed to play in the Intermediates I told my dad I did not want to play. He sighed. I think it was a sigh of relief. I was not a very good athlete. I was somewhat of the spastic kid who, as my dad always said, ran like I was "dragging a piano". The real reason I did not want to play was that Little League games were Saturday mornings and that conflicted with Saturday morning cartoons like the Challenge of the Superfriends, Captain Caveman and shows like Bigfoot and Wildboy and Kroft Super Hour featuring the Bay City Rollers.
A week into the start of the baseball season I told my dad I changed my mind and that I really wanted to play. He sighed again. He said he would make some phone calls to the league officials and other coaches but he could not promise anything.
Looking back I can only imagine those phone calls.
Skip: Hi Joe. this is Skip. One of my boys decided he wanted to play this year. I know it is a little late but I was hoping..
Joe: Skip, one of your boys? Hell I would take any one of your boys. They are good athletes. I coached two of them last year. Your oldest three all got drafted into the Majors as 10 years olds. Sure I would love to have one of your kids. Which one?
Disclaimer--I have partnered with GoodNites® Sleep Pants for the Bedtime Theater program. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program, which includes developing the Iggy’s Next Adventure story, sharing the program information with my readers, tweeting my blog entry and judging the Iggy’s Next Adventure contest entries. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive sentiments towards the GoodNites® products.”
Skip: Billy.
Joe: Uhm, Billy? Uhm. Did you say Billy? Isn't he the one that played on Verdekal's team last year? Didn't you make him the catcher on your Tee-Ball team so he would always be wearing a helmet? Skip I just realized I have a full roster and I am really sorryIgottagonowtalktoyousoonbye. Click.
After several phone calls my dad finally placed me on a team. The only catch was that I would have to replay at the Minor League level. I would not play with my friends and classmates. My dad told me that if I said yes, I was not allowed to quit. I said yes.
That year, because I was older than the other kids, was the year I was not afraid of the ball. That year, because I was older, was the year I learned to hit. That year, since I already knew the fundamentals, I played second base and short stop, because I knew where to throw the ball. That year was the year that made me want to play the next few years. That year was the year that I found confidence in myself as an athlete.
So by me wanting to watch the Bay City Rollers on Saturday mornings, somehow, I was able to be held back a year in baseball that made me less awkward as an athlete. That line right there is something I doubt you will ever read or hear again, from anybody.
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It is funny that I wrote about Baseball, because in chapter 5 of the Iggy and his Wiggy bed story over at the GoodNites website, Iggy decides to go to a Baseball game. GoodNites is great website that has all kinds of advice about bedtime and bed wetting. They are holding a contest there (only a few days left to enter) where you could write the next chapters of Iggy's adventure. My kids love the adventures of Iggy and I really would like you to check out their website.
GoodNites is offering the readers of Poop and Boogies a chance to win a gift bag that is worth $175. The gift bag includes an Ipod, a cuddle blanket, an Itunes gift card and a tote bag. I have one more I can give away. For a chance to win the gift bag please leave me a comment telling me what was your favorite Saturday Morning Cartoon. UPDATE-CONTEST IS OVER. I will announce the final winner later this week.
The winner from the last post was Tori Spelling Says.
Disclaimer--I have partnered with GoodNites® Sleep Pants for the Bedtime Theater program. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program, which includes developing the Iggy’s Next Adventure story, sharing the program information with my readers, tweeting my blog entry and judging the Iggy’s Next Adventure contest entries. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive sentiments towards the GoodNites® products.”
