If you're here for Rookie Night news, fun and entertainment, please click this link ....
The Disclaimer
I do this part annually. The only affiliation between this BLOG and the Tottenham Old Timers league is that I play in the league. The BLOG has never published anything on demand from the league nor has it been asked to not publish by the league. The point in is this: If you have a problem with what you read here; complaining to the league or its officials will do you no good. However; if you talk to me, I'll make sure to listen and do my best to rectify the problem. I enjoy my autonomy, but have no intention of making anyone feel uncomfortable. Not on purpose anyway.
Why The Disclaimer?
Because once (sometimes twice) a year, I write something serious. When that happens there's bound to be a person or two who doesn't like, thinks its inappropriate or thinks this isn't right vehicle for a serious conversations. Those people are entitled to those opinions. They can speak with me and I'll endeavor to explain my actions. The league has no authority here. My up front explanation is that I feel a need to speak. Facebook isn't the place for me, it is for others and that's completely okay. I will write with all the dignity and decorum that I can muster and will avoid names in this one case.
My Commentary.
Our wee town is dealing with another tragedy. Every tragedy is unique. It has its own story, its own heartbreak, its own struggle for understanding, its own painful ache and its own compassionate congregation of support and sympathy.
We are small town by definition and by action. If you ask city-folk, small town people are simple, isolated and not terribly aware of the rest of the world. The truth; my truth, is that small town people are warm, engaging, inviting to new people and wonderfully supportive individuals. We are also intensely proud of who we are and what we stand for. We aren't too shy to shake hands. We aren't too distrustful to say hello. We use our car horns to wave at people; not to show anger. That is small town. This is us.
Because we are who we are, we know each other. We know a lot about each other, maybe sometimes we know too much. But I believe the overwhelming majority of us use that information to help each other. Our community is small. Smaller still is our baseball community, and as has happened too often for anyone, our baseball community has been touched by this tragedy.
What I've heard people say in addition to what I've seen written (facebook) this week has reaffirmed some things that I've known for some time. Its re-energized the pride I have for this town and my friends. And in seeing these things in action yet again; I can't help but smile in the face of terrible sadness.
We, the people of this town and those affiliated with both the womens and mens ball leagues are good people. Don't undervalue the word 'good'. I've seen good people supported through breakups, I've seen relationships saved with the help of good people from ball. I've seen good people supported through job loss and I've seen our community rally to help these good people find employment. I've seen good people assisted through financial difficulty. I've seen good people supported through horrific personal losses.
We are good and balanced people. We support those in need in various ways. Some are very visible in their help. That's great. Some are quiet voices of encouragement. That's great too. Some are supportive in their thoughts and prayers. Great again. We all come at support from different angles which allows the principles involved to utilize various tools if and when they are needed.
The 250 or so women and men who play ball are a different kettle of fish. If you're in for a penny you're in for a pound. We take care of each other. Its been that way since I've been here and I trust that sentiment will outlast me. We are good people. Please don't forget that as you work through this tragedy. You have a support structure. A fantastic support structure that will listen to you, talk to you, laugh with you, cry with you and pray with you.
Thank you for listening to me.
If you're here for Rookie Night news, fun and entertainment, please click this link ....
The Disclaimer
I do this part annually. The only affiliation between this BLOG and the Tottenham Old Timers league is that I play in the league. The BLOG has never published anything on demand from the league nor has it been asked to not publish by the league. The point in is this: If you have a problem with what you read here; complaining to the league or its officials will do you no good. However; if you talk to me, I'll make sure to listen and do my best to rectify the problem. I enjoy my autonomy, but have no intention of making anyone feel uncomfortable. Not on purpose anyway.
Why The Disclaimer?
Because once (sometimes twice) a year, I write something serious. When that happens there's bound to be a person or two who doesn't like, thinks its inappropriate or thinks this isn't right vehicle for a serious conversations. Those people are entitled to those opinions. They can speak with me and I'll endeavor to explain my actions. The league has no authority here. My up front explanation is that I feel a need to speak. Facebook isn't the place for me, it is for others and that's completely okay. I will write with all the dignity and decorum that I can muster and will avoid names in this one case.
My Commentary.
Our wee town is dealing with another tragedy. Every tragedy is unique. It has its own story, its own heartbreak, its own struggle for understanding, its own painful ache and its own compassionate congregation of support and sympathy.
We are small town by definition and by action. If you ask city-folk, small town people are simple, isolated and not terribly aware of the rest of the world. The truth; my truth, is that small town people are warm, engaging, inviting to new people and wonderfully supportive individuals. We are also intensely proud of who we are and what we stand for. We aren't too shy to shake hands. We aren't too distrustful to say hello. We use our car horns to wave at people; not to show anger. That is small town. This is us.
Because we are who we are, we know each other. We know a lot about each other, maybe sometimes we know too much. But I believe the overwhelming majority of us use that information to help each other. Our community is small. Smaller still is our baseball community, and as has happened too often for anyone, our baseball community has been touched by this tragedy.
What I've heard people say in addition to what I've seen written (facebook) this week has reaffirmed some things that I've known for some time. Its re-energized the pride I have for this town and my friends. And in seeing these things in action yet again; I can't help but smile in the face of terrible sadness.
We, the people of this town and those affiliated with both the womens and mens ball leagues are good people. Don't undervalue the word 'good'. I've seen good people supported through breakups, I've seen relationships saved with the help of good people from ball. I've seen good people supported through job loss and I've seen our community rally to help these good people find employment. I've seen good people assisted through financial difficulty. I've seen good people supported through horrific personal losses.
We are good and balanced people. We support those in need in various ways. Some are very visible in their help. That's great. Some are quiet voices of encouragement. That's great too. Some are supportive in their thoughts and prayers. Great again. We all come at support from different angles which allows the principles involved to utilize various tools if and when they are needed.
The 250 or so women and men who play ball are a different kettle of fish. If you're in for a penny you're in for a pound. We take care of each other. Its been that way since I've been here and I trust that sentiment will outlast me. We are good people. Please don't forget that as you work through this tragedy. You have a support structure. A fantastic support structure that will listen to you, talk to you, laugh with you, cry with you and pray with you.
Thank you for listening to me.
If you're here for Rookie Night news, fun and entertainment, please click this link ....
ROOKIE NIGHT BLOG
In case the link isn't working you can cut and paste this URL. http://www.tottenhamoldtimers.blogspot.ca/2014/04/rookie-night-2014.html
2 comments:
You are a great friend.
Thank you Doug. Proud to be part of this kettle of fish.
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