Coach

Clare and a former college teammate went to a softball thing Monday. I say “thing” because it was a game where players vie for individual points. Talk about squaring the circle. Anyway, ESPN broadcasts some of the games. So it goes for college players who suddenly find themselves on the other side of their senior-year season. They do that or try to play for one of the four teams that claim to be “pro,” though the pay level might indicate otherwise. The venues are in Florida, Texas and Oklahoma, so heat shouldn’t be a problem, though it will be a concern. Of course, no major-league scout will bother to go any of these games because it’s softball and women. The person I put into that situation is now the mother of a nearly two-year old. I was teasing her the other day how in ten years she’ll be going to tournaments, this time to watch rather than play. “Just as long as it’s ninety degrees.” A parent should have full experience. Clare made a remark that struck me as both true and good: “Leo will be the only player who has his mother for a hitting coach.” I can’t wait.