No game comes down to a single play; it just seems that way

Elect to play sports and be prepared to be kneed in the groin, punched in the mouth, whacked in the head with a wet plank -all followed by a litany of tired clichés like, “Keep your head up; you have nothing to be ashamed of” and “Sports is just like life; you never know when the light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train.” Playing sports myself, then coaching and finally writing about them, I have seen my share of fat balloons popped by sharp pins. Sometimes the calamity focuses on a single moment and involves one player, perhaps a pitcher or goalie, a favored wrestler who gets stuck and costs a team the championship or a defensive back who misplaces a receiver resulting in a game-losing touchdown. It could be as simple as an infielder dropping a routine throw or a lacrosse player throwing the ball to the wrong person which results in a game-winning goal. I tell athletes, “Don’t step out there if you’re not tough enough to accept whatever may happen.” That is the lesson - no justice between the lines - work as hard as you can; it gives you the best chance at success, but there are no guarantees. No game comes down to a single play; it just seems that way sometimes. “Rock the goat and embrace the hero.” If god calls your number, remember everything happens for a reason and you’ll never know what it is, which means the reason may be bad for you but good for someone else. I’m starting to slide in sarcasm; it’s how I protect myself. I live by the parting words of Grand Mom Rose, ”Play hard, and die harder.”

Despondent respondent - None of us can help ourselves when it gets to the core of our personality. I like messing with athletes who are down and depressed after their team wins a big game because they didn’t play well. I remember telling a football team captain, “Despondency in the wake of victory is a real luxury.” He responded predictably, “What are you talking about now?” “You don’t get to be sad when your team is happy! It ain’t about you! So you got torched for three deep touchdowns; look on the bright side. Maybe next week you’ll be on the bench.”

Filly fever! After the J.J. 5K last Sunday morning in Rehoboth, I was introduced to Alicia Marchioni by Roxy Castillo as “Uncle Freddog” and probably asked the young filly, ”So how old are you and how much do you weigh?” Alicia laughed warmly, a preferable response to getting hit in the head with her newly earned first-place trophy for first filly in the race. “I weigh 164 pounds and I’m 26,” said the young triathlete, who looks like an Olympic swimmer. “I live in Easton, Pa., went to high school in Johnson City, Tenn., then to the University of South Carolina, but I have no accent as my parents are from New York and New Jersey.” Alicia was a cheerleader in high school and said she was mostly the fat girl in a small school at 5’4” and 185 pounds. “I grew six inches and dropped my weight to 115, but I wasn’t healthy. Three years ago I couldn’t run a mile, and now I do triathlons and use a sensible diet and working out to stay fit and healthy doing running, biking, weight lifting and swimming.”

Snippets - Go to websites4sports.com and bookmark the site. That is absolutely the best place to follow high school sports in Delaware from scores to schedule changes. You can even submit photos including JV shots; it is very friendly and interactive, unlike me. Anyone interested in participating in USA Futures Field Hockey for the winter of 2010-11 or for a U16 outdoor team to compete in Disney in February, there will be on open tryout organized by Gottaloveit! Oranje Hockey Club from 4 to 5 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 5, at Cape during the last session of Gottaloveit! summer league. If you have questions, go to coachkk.net. I am still running point raising money for the Iron Mike DeStasio ALS Fund and you may be happy to learn that Mike has tricked out the family van, pimping his rod with a power chair lift. Thanks to the many community contributors, Mike was able to do that without procuring an installment loan. All County Bank branches will accept your donation to the fund. It’s not how much; more importantly, it’s showing that you care. Philly made a good trade picking up pinch bunter Roy Oswalt for $15 million. He pitches as well.