Weekend Chronicles: A Peek into Youth Baseball and Beyond
Golfer Paige Spiranac Wears a Red Tube Top for an Outing at the Golf Course, Inciting Rage Among a Brewers Supporter and a KOA Mullet Individual
Shivering through two days of rainy misery, I barely managed to catch a few innings of a youth travel ball tournament- all while pondering the strange sartorial choices I saw on the field.
The Hoodie Mystery
Expressions of frustration aside, the drizzle couldn't dampen my curiosity over the hoodie jerseys that graced the 14U level. Was this a contemporary symbol of American pseudo-masculinity crisis? Well, yes, it was chilly. And yes, there was a light drizzle. But what about the tried-and-true option of layering a long-sleeve beneath the jersey? Why resort to hoodies instead, looking more like you're idling at a bus stop?
Extra Coaching Hands
Travel teams often pack more than just extra uniforms and bats. Remembering the crowded dugout scene, I found myself wondering if the four-to-five coaches ensconced there meant one was a dedicated pitching coach. Maybe reducing playing time to accommodate so many coaches somehow alleviates the parental guilt of not dedicating enough time to their little slugger.
A Garden Tale
Let's shift gears now to a humbling confession: last weekend, as the rain paused between storms, the rock store Nadir tortured me with rocks I had to lug in and out of the SUV. Exhausted, I did the unthinkable - sneaked off to watch the Kentucky Derby on my phone while prying ornamental grasses out of the garden. When the bugler played, I immediately announced our need to vacate the garden for a proper view - only to realize, later on Twitter, that I watched a one-hour delayed broadcast! With my sports-watching career bruised, I can only blame the confusion of time zones.
A Netflix Night In
While the rain continued, I found solace in the new Netflix Vietnam series. Beyond the historical insights, the level of violence depicted seemed almost unmatched compared to other documentaries I had seen. Yet, in the grand scheme of things, the series left me pondering whether we've learned much more about Presidential leadership and military planning since the original Ken Burns' PBS series.
A Week to Embrace
The upcoming week is busy. The community sports season starts on Saturday, and I hope my kids refuse to follow the hoodie trend - the forecast promises 74 degrees and sunny weather. Let's make the most of summer, folks! Time to put on the baseball caps, step out on the field, and cheer with undiminished enthusiasm!
'Thank you' for the Mother's Day Gift Ideas
- Jason from Virginia writes:
Grabbed one of those Hori Hori knives for Mother's Day, and the Mrs. loves it. Thanks for the suggestion!
Resisting Costco's Chicken Coops
- Russ from Iowa despises the idea of a $999 Costco chicken coop:
Paid a mere $150 for an old used chicken coop in the early 2000s. Moved it thirty miles with the help of my teenage son and some friends, weaving our way through towns. The boys had an F350 powerstroke diesel pickup and an old homemade trailer with mobile home tires. To think my wife questioned my sanity!
My Take on Travel Ball
- An anonymous youth baseball coach voiced their concern about potential profanity in this space, but assured me the coach on their team is not involved:
Witnessed a heated exchange between a 13u travel ball coach and the umpires in the parking lot. I can't imagine the repercussions if my kid played for such a heated coach.
- Mike Mac from Mass asks for suggestions on dryer balls for improving parachute tosses and catch drills:
My attention was drawn to a Screencaps reader's recommendation for Amazon's dryer balls to improve tossing and catching drills (if memory serves, no corporate sponsorship was involved). Since the recommended balls are a tad too soft, I'm appealing to our community to repost the recommendation for fellow Rec AA coaches out there.
Reader Reactions to My 'Chains That Will Be Out of Business' List
- Lee D. writes:
The food at Denny's may not be elaborate, but its coffee stands out like a beacon of hope. While it seems Denny's is missing an opportunity by not selling their coffee on Amazon or leveraging partnerships with retailers, their coffee stream fares much better than the overpriced slop served by Starbucks.
Is Office Life on the Decline?
- Dave K. claims that office relationships continue to thrive:
Even during the pandemic-induced slowdown, our office camaraderie hasn't died. We've maintained the traditional annual golf trips, Friday afternoon outings, trips to the track, and office-generated gambling pools.
Off the Beaten Path Cabin Recommendations
- Mike T. citied Iron Springs in Copalis Beach, Washington as a hidden gem:
And so concludes another week of random thoughts, critiques, and reader-submissions. Here's to a vibrant summer ahead!
Email: joe.kinsey@our website or use my personal Gmail.
Stuff You Guys Submitted & Liked:
This post from Glory Cilicia on Instagram shows her splendid adventures in Nature.
Another captivating post by Glory Cilicia, sharing her love for green gardens.
Cara Ellis brings us a stunning aerial view of a lavender field in bloom.
More breathtaking imagery from Cara Ellis, showcasing serene wetlands and skies.
Some delectable desserts captured by Sam Taylor in Austin, Texas.
Yet another mouthwatering dessert offering from Sam Taylor, staged amidst a charming outdoor setting.
Silvia Funes shares a captivating image of the sun setting over a calm sea.
More enchanting imagery from Silvia Funes, depicting a serene landscape under a dim sky.
A connection to the rich history of our nation, shared by Sports Illustrated on Instagram.
An inspiring glance into global cultures, brought to you by Powerful Countries on Instagram.
A beautiful reflection of life and its simple pleasures, as captured by Mellie O'Malley on Instagram.
A captivating image of delicate flowers by Middle Class Fancy on Instagram.
Local BBQ joint Chris Stoll celebrated National Barbecue Day with the community.
Colorado Explores takes us on a picturesque journey to the heart of the state.
Benedikt Richter shares a breathtaking photo from his travels to Amsterdam.
[1] "Casual Attire," Encyclopædia Britannica, accessed May 1, 2023, https://www.britannica.com/topic/casual-attire.[2] "Athleisure," WGSN, accessed May 1, 2023, https://www.wgsn.com/trend/lifestyle/athleisure.[3] "Baseball and Softball Uniforms," National Federation of State High School Associations, accessed May 1, 2023, https://www.nfhs.org/articles/baseball-and-softball-uniforms/.
- The hoodie jerseys at the 14U level of the youth travel ball tournament seemed to symbolize a contemporary American pseudo-masculinity crisis, blending the lines between sports and casual-wear.
- Curious about the prevalence of multiple coaches on travel teams, I pondered whether this arrangement helped alleviate parental guilt or if it was a questionable addition to the game.
- Amidst the weekend's damp weather, I found solace in watching the Kentucky Derby on my phone, even if it was a one-hour delayed broadcast.
- Moving on to entertainment, I delved into the new Netflix Vietnam series, leaving me questioning if we've truly learned more about Presidential leadership and military planning since the original Ken Burns' PBS series.
- As the community sports season starts next week, I hope my kids resist the trend of wearing hoodies, especially when the weather promises sun and warmth.
- In response to a Mother's Day gift idea suggestion, a reader expressed gratitude for the Hori Hori knife, the wife's new favorite tool.
