It's OK To Dream...

THE SPORTS BOTTOM - August 13, 2010

Four days until the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Gay Softball World Series in Columbus, Ohio. The anticipation is building. I know, I should be an old-hand at this. Three out of the past four years my team has qualified now. We went to Seattle in 2008. Great city. Phoenix in 2007. I’m sure it’s lovely, millions live there. Too damn hot for me.

Anticipation is building again. That’s why we play sports, right? Because you just never know what’s gonna happen. Did you really think Boise State was gonna beat Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl a few years back? Did you really think Butler or George freakin’ Mason would make Final Four runs? Arizona Diamondbacks v. N.Y. Yankees? North Carolina State v. Houston? 

Just the fact that a colossal upset can happen at any time is why we watch the games. And also why we play the games. Look, I’ve been to the Gay World Series a couple of times now. I know how each participating city runs the ratings system in a different way. Some are very strict to prevent the League from levying fines against them. Some don’t care so much because they are only dealing with one or two teams in their leagues. There’s a wide discrepancy. But that’s just part of the game. Deal with it or play in someone else’s league.

In Phoenix we didn’t win a single game in the Series. Though we did tie one game against Dallas, and that team was later kicked out due to ratings issues. It’s crazy, but in most of those games we didn’t have a chance. Granted our team had peaked earlier in that season, but still, damn, most of those teams would have definitely been rated up in our league.

We won two games at the Seattle Series in ’08. Very exciting. I believe our team was better that season, mainly because we were peaking right as the Series was getting under way. It was really fun getting our first EVER World Series wins. We beat Milwaukee and Memphis. But still, in many of the games, we were completely overmatched. We’re the “D”-League, rookie league. Most of those teams would have at least been “C” in SF. But we do what we can because we want to play ball.

So Columbus is right around the corner. I know in my gut that it will be VERY DIFFICULT for us to win a trophy and place in the Series. I’ve been there. I know how it is. But dang it, there’s always a chance. Always a chance. What if we just get on a roll and we hit like we’ve never hit before? What if our pitching shuts down the opposing teams like we’ve never done before? I know our defense is solid. What if it just gets a little more solid? What if this? What if that? 

Despite the little part of me that says it will be nearly impossible for us to place in the World Series (I believe there are 40 teams in our bracket, at last check) I still hold out hope. Stranger things have happened. That’s why we play the games. Remember New England Patriots v. St. Louis Rams in the Super Bowl. Ugh, bad example...