Wednesday, August 17, 2011

"You Queers!" Political incorrectness by senior softballers.

My Samoa Athletic Club softball team played their final 2011 game against Babe's Pizza at Cooper Gulch last night. The players were in a good mood and we were still fielding a complete team after many injuries that will happen to players over 50 years old. During the game our Left Fielder Mike Burghart had a line drive hit his way and went down on his knees to scoop it off the ground. One of the players for Babe's was at 3rd base and thought the ball was trapped and ran home. Mike threw the ball to our 3rd baseman Randy Landowski and Randy stepped on the bag for a double play. The Babe's players threw a fit at umpire Henry Felix and for whatever reason started yelling obscenities to our team for the call. One of their players who is around 60 yelled "You Queers" out loud and tried to start a fist fight with one of our players! Talk about not good sportsmanship. I did not expect a homophobic slur during a game between Senior adults. May his AARP card be revoked!

Oh, we have been guilty of whinning but not at this level. And yes, I have been guilty of telling the Babe's players that their team name should be "Babie's". We are just trying to have fun and get some exercise and social interaction in a semi competitive setting.

I would like to thank the "Mossbacks" of Eureka and "Lets Play Ball" of Blue Lake for their participation and hope to see you with wood bats next year. Overall we had fun.

Samoa Athletic Club players for 2011 were Bob Sprague, John Parker, Dudley Walters, Jamie Robertson, Tony Hernandez, Randy and Billy Landowski, "Doc" Jones, Mike Burghart, Dave Damme, Scott Griswold, Glen Ferguson, Steve Ritter and Bob Borden.

May the DL list avoid us all next year!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a bummer. No one likes to be called that. Did you know there was a gay softball team in the Eureka Rec league this year? The OUTfielders

Ross Rowley said...

I wouldn't say yelling "You Queers" at a softball game is that big of a deal. Heck, some folks turn that disparaging slur around into a huge money making fundraiser!

Mark your calendars for September 9th at the Arcata Ballpark.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bat-N-Rouge/184412048275020

samoasoftball said...

Ross: The way he said it was hate filled. And then to challenge someone with a fist fight over a umpire judgement call? He should be banned from the league.

Anonymous said...

Maybe its time you grew up Richard. If thats what is said on the field, I can only imagine what is said off the field. These are the people you choose to spend time playing with? Its sad to think a man your age would still be desperately clinging to glory days now some 40 years in the past. But these are the same people you slap on the ass after a good play, and they're the same people you like to have slapping your own ass after you've ran around the bases. Maybe its time to grow up.

Ross Rowley said...

Actually, Richard, I was being facetious about the comment being yelled on the field. In my attempt at humor I was trying to promote the Bat N Rouge event. I totally understand your sentiment about heariing that kind of slur filled with anger being used. There is no place for such ignorance and hate on the ballfield or anywhere else.

Anonymous said...

Didn't an actual fight occur in the Arcata league between an umpire and a player over a call at 1st base when you were called out earlier this year?

Anonymous said...

If you thought "little league" parents were bad just watch and listen to the over 50 and 60 year olds on Babes. It is sad to see people take a "recreation" league so serious:(

Anonymous said...

...I think if this is the type of team Babe's is going to sponsor and put their name behind, I don't want to do business with them anymore

samoasoftball said...

12:37pm-I will never grow up when it comes to softball! It is my security blanket. Glory days? These are my glory days, not stuff from the past. Each game is a new real life drama, and I will participate.

2:57: Please don't judge Babe's by one poor sport. I was there this past Friday buying a pizza.

samoasoftball said...

9:08pm-Guilty as charged. That was a fiasco!