thankfully, rained out...

After getting our asses handed to us by Trenton this weekend (the Yankees AA club took two over the weekend, pretty handily I might add), we were thankfully rained out last night. To say my future bride and I were happy about that is an understatement. Now don't get me wrong...we don't hate the job. We do, however, hate it when it's rainy and cool. There's nothing more miserable than a game played in front of a few hundred wet and cold fans, while an umpire has a postage stamp sized strike zone. Makes for a long, nasty evening.

We were saddened this weekend by the tragedy in the Colorado organization. A coach with the AA Tulsa Drillers was struck and killed by a line drive on Sunday. This is only the second time in the history of organized, affiliated baseball where a man died on the field. He was only 35 years old, with a third child on the way later this year. I can't imagine the horror of witnessing this, but I know it's made me wake up and pay a little closer attention when working the concourse. I've been hit before, and it's no fun. But to see this...a death...it cuts me to the core.

I've sort of hedged at discussing this at length, but I've been receiving some interesting email lately. Seemingly, there's someone out there who is hellbent on "teaching me a lesson" as, according to this person, I'm "gay" and "stupid." Both accusations are quite dubious as I'm quite happy as a heterosexual and, according to my fiancee, I'm a fairly intelligent individual. However, in discussing the "accusations" with my future bride, she presented me with some interesting questions.

For starters, she's interested in asking our anonymous friend why he/she had to resort to using the word, "gay" as an epithet. The use of that word, in that light, is horribly insulting at best...considering the fact that my favorite cousin is homosexual. Be that as it may, the writer obviously doesn't understand gay, or for that matter, straight culture. That part of one's lifestyle is a private matter to be left undiscussed. To brag about the fact that one is gay or straight is a little silly...which is why "gay pride" parades tend to baffle me. Gee, could I have a "straight pride" parade, too? Furthermore, what sort of junior high school attitude allows someone to resort to calling me "gay" for just simply being out there, promoting candlepin bowling? Geez, that's hideous.

The next question she raised was regarding the use of the adjective, "stupid." Her idea is that an education degree discounts me from being stupid, and I tend to agree with her. However, I'm sure our mysterious friend doesn't have the slightest clue what it takes to get that degree, so he/she lashes out in jealousy. That's okay, I understand.

But finally, my much better looking half wonders why the person in question has to remain anonymous. Am I that frightening of an individual that he/she has to resort to discriminatory epithets, hiding behind a veil of secrecy and then running away into the night, seemingly laughing at how brilliant the insult was. Gee, if you'd like to insult me, go get 'em. I'm a big boy...I can take it. But be prepared to be "outed" here in this blog. I will post your identity for all the world to see. It's the least I could do for the gay bashing and hate speech my shrouded friend purports.

Nonetheless, sunshine and warm temperatures are calling me. Time for a hike in Henry Park. Have a great day!