Shagging fly balls

bicycleprince · Post by **bicycleprince** » Mon Apr 01, 2002 10:24 pm

The Saturday before Easter had beautiful weather.
Happened upon my cousin and two of his buddies, while I was riding; they were jumping a ball field fence. They asked if I'd like to shag some fly balls and maybe hit a few. I said, "Sure, but I have to get go by work, where I left my money. And then I am going to have my haircut. Afterwards, I'll ride home for my glove, and then I'll be back. Won't be too long."

Went to work, and ran into two more of my cousins, and they also wanted to enjoy the sunshiny day. Hence, they had tennis rackets and were going to go to the same park, where I would soon be playing baseball. Told them to meet me there, after the trim

"Where are you going to get your haircut?" one asked.

"Southside"

"Southside is closed"

"Then I'll go to Danny's on the boulevard." I decided.

"He's closed, too. All barbershops close at noon on Saturdays." They broke it too me. "So you'll have to look like a bum on Easter."

Was sort of happy because I really wanted to start catching pop flies. Then rode the two miles past the diamond (rang my incredibell for the guys) then past Danny's, which was open, but he had four heads before mine. Thus, proceeded home to grab the leather.

Then it was a quick downhill ride through traffic and a stretch of Greenway back to the field, where I hoisted my bike over the fence and joined the outfielder. "That was fast," was the first thing he said.

Made some good catches. Judging the ball well, and my running legs were powerful. After tossing a few balls back into the infield, my arm was limber.

Soon the other two came with gloves and bats and a friend. We called a few people because a game would have been fun, but they were enjoying the weather fishing and drinking.

When it was my turn at bat, the guys were feeling worn-out, and they did not think I had much power. So they positioned themselves in the shallow outfield. I proceed to bombard balls well over their heads. Did not take one out of the park, but did rope a few to the 340 mark on the fence. Hit the best out of the 7 batters. They were all impressed. And I was happy. Now I am very excited about the approaching softball season.

Post by **mccutcheon** » Tue Apr 02, 2002 4:28 pm

That sounds like a beautiful experience. I always thought the best time you can have sober was shagging.

<sarah> · Post by **<sarah>** » Wed Apr 03, 2002 6:01 am

Yippee! Finally a sport I can semi-discuss. Best way to spend a sunny spring couple of hours: batting cage, not quite the same as seeing them go the distance on the field, but you can always close your eyes after you connect.

Our batting cage has been closed since i've been here. I know because I used to drive over every afternoon after work, but i'm hopeful that either I can a find someone who likes to pitch as much as I like to hit (prospects look bleak) or that it will open soon!!

Your post makes me jealous. We used to go play ball and then go get ice cream down the road at a place called Bubba's, the name is horrible, the ice cream is heavenly!!

Post by **Sloth** » Wed Apr 03, 2002 9:51 am

I must admit I've never tried shagging fly balls.

In fact I didn't even know that flies had balls.

bicycleprince · Post by **bicycleprince** » Wed Apr 03, 2002 9:37 pm

After playing, we went to a lake for bbq and beer. We watched NCAA basketball under a pavilion. Everyone except me got shitty. Rode my bike on trails circling the lake, and was chased by a three-legged dog. He had a vicious snarl but no bite. I think he just wanted some love, but the missing leg turned me off. The night was very chilly, so we started a fire. Some honeys showed.

Post by **mccutcheon** » Thu Apr 04, 2002 12:14 am

I think this thread is for Jack and Sarah, and the Sloth and I should get the hell off of it before we ruin something genuine.

marky · Post by **marky** » Thu Apr 04, 2002 4:41 am

Yeah, I thought your first reply was pretty
damn funny, McCutcheon, but I wasn't about
to comment on the hilarity for fear of
offending...

<sarah> · Post by **<sarah>** » Thu Apr 04, 2002 5:37 am

sometimes you can't say anything without coming across as a jackass, so I do love shagging fly balls; the pun is cute.

bicycleprince · Post by **bicycleprince** » Thu Apr 04, 2002 8:49 am

Shoestring catching a ball, after a mighty sprint, is fulfilling. But it's frustrating to barely miss such a play, forcing an absolute change in momentum, which wastes much time and energy. Sometimes it's better to let those balls drop. In a game, that puts you in a better position to assist an infield play. While shagging flies, it saves energy.

My favorite position is third base. The “hot-corner” is where I feel most natural or comfortable on the field. I’m proud of my groundball fielding ability, and love throwing out a hard sprinting opponent. Also, the talk around the diamond is more intimate than outfielder yells.

<Jack Chiefton> · Post by **<Jack Chiefton>** » Thu Apr 04, 2002 5:36 pm

You go to college Mizzou Jack? And if so, do you play for their baseball team? You a baseball fan? Why am I asking so many questions? I guess because if you don't play for the team, you must get involved with pick up games. I would love to play baseball again, haven't played since about 9th or 10th grade in high school but can never find pick up games.

I listened to the Brewers get destroyed on the radio last night, and that was unexhilirating. Not the fact of them losing, but the fact of listening to a baseball game on the radio.

However, that Barry Bonds character is on pace to hit 324 home runs this year. That should put him at a total of 895 for his career, which would thrust him past Henry Aaron's total of 755 home runs and negro leauge star Josh Gibson's total of 868 homeruns. I believe the Giants play again tonight, lets see if he can hit two more.

Post by **mccutcheon** » Thu Apr 04, 2002 6:25 pm

Shit Mark, Sarah called you a Jackass.

<sarah> · Post by **<sarah>** » Thu Apr 04, 2002 7:17 pm

I did not -- ya jackass! Okay enough, jackass is my term of endearment

bicycleprince · Post by **bicycleprince** » Thu Apr 04, 2002 7:21 pm

I've studied a few semesters at MU, and never played on their baseball team. Don't follow baseball closely, but I am a fan. Play organized softball in the summer and fall, beginning this summer.

My childhood dream was to play for the St. Louis Cardinals; however, I also wanted to be an Olympic track star. So gave up baseball for track & field during high school.

Barry Bonds is a ripper. I think he will hit at least 100 this year. Do you have a favorite player? Mine is Ozzie Smith.

Post by **Sloth** » Fri Apr 05, 2002 1:12 pm

Actually its not a pun Sarah its a semiopathic phrase.

Like for instance in London you see signs that say "Male changing area", "Police Club Vistors", "Extra thick baby wipes", or a newspaper advert that read "Attract Men with bigger breasts".

<sarah> · Post by **<sarah>** » Fri Apr 05, 2002 3:32 pm

once I had an argument with someone about the word pun -- I lost that one too, but here I go again: A pun is a play on words or for webster's definition -- witticism involving the playful use of a word in different senses

This I really like, and it's a compliment to your sense of humor: A witticism is a remark which manifests the association of apparently unrelated ideas in an unexpected or clever way with an effect of brilliance provoking laughter. (That's what it says; I'm not making it up.)

You were playing with the meanings of the words, shagging, fly, and balls. How is that not a pun?

It was at least a witticism in that the effect of the brilliance of your association of apparently unrelated ideas (a fly's balls / playing baseball) was to provoke laughter!

I had never heard of semiopathic phrase before, and it's not in websters. But you know Noah Webster was an American