The Aha! Moment

Dodger fans are still seething. A vast majority of us still can't watch the games on TV.

Sadly, out of sight often lends to out mind.

I recently got back onto the dating site bandwagon. Everyone was so buried in their phones and determined not to strike a conversation, I figured there mus be something to this. Where was everyone? I thought. They're online!

So online I went.

But since everyone is always figuring there is something better out there, I have found what I found before but hadn't recalled before I spent the money: there is no incentive to meet in person. As soon as you begin to communicate online, there's no reason to meet. Everyone just exchanges emails and phone numbers, then moves on to the next "perfect match." Online dating sites always promise "someone" is out there. Just waiting for you.

So you keep browsing. Waiting for the perfect match.

When do you know it's time to take a commercial break and stop looking? How do you know you haven't already met the perfect match- or at the very least a really good one? And is it ok to give yourself permission to actually take yourself offline and put yourself back in the game?

All people seem to want to do is chat in virtual time. What's the point? If you're not going to eventually meet, then why be on a site that prompts meeting? If it's just to email or text and never meet up, again I have to ask what's the point? Why are we getting farther and farther away from the idea (as a society) of interpersonal communication? Why is face time so difficult?

Back to baseball since that IS supposed to be the point of this blog: the parallel between baseball and a Girl's life.

Why is accessibility to Dodgers on TV so difficult? Why can't we see the Dodgers on TV? Why can't we see our virtual relationships face-to-face? Is it really so difficult?

Apparently, yes.

To be fair, one can go TO the home games in person. See it live. Eat a Dodger dog. Feel the pulse of the L.A. crowd. Be outside. Socialize. However, when it comes to the away games, we're screwed. And let's face it, who has the time (or in many cases, the money) to go to ALL 81 home games? So the next best thing would be to see it on TV.

Once you go to a game, you want more. You know what it feels like to BE there, to be present. And you want to experience the magic in your own home.

The cable negotiations fell through last year and held no promise this year either. Thank you new owners, thank you for not taking the fans into consideration and just cashing the check from the highest bidders, laughing all the way to the bank. We SO appreciate it. And we know you truly needed the money (insert sarcasm). TRUE fans know where the blame for this mess truly lies.

But I digress.

Look, my point for Girls is this: Dodger fans have been forced to go the way of dating sites: you listen on the radio and read about the game online the next day. You can chat about it on a Facebook Group and complain or celebrate... just like you do with your friends about that cute Guy you've been emailing or texting. But at the end of the day, if you don't get to "see" them, the game or the Guy, then isn't it time to just find something else to watch?

The dating site lures you back for more virtual time. Very little feels... real.

Same with the Dodgers.

Out of sight, out of mind....

I don't want to root for another team, but I want to watch baseball. What's a Girl to do? The virtual relationship with my team- and the Guys online- seems to be rather taxing. If a Guy isn't going to suggest dinner or coffee or lunch or a Dodger game, why waste your time Girls? Move on.

I'm sure there's something on TV you COULD be watching.

And I'm sure there are Guys out there who would like to meet you in person. They're the ones NOT online.

An Inspiration

Sometimes we just need an inspiration. And sometimes it comes when we least expect it. Take for instance the documentary I watched last night: The Battered Bastards of Baseball. It got me thinking about what the sport means to me. Based on the true story of the Portland Mavericks, an independent team founded by the actor Bing Russell, I had no idea that this team had ever even existed (I guess you learn something new every day). Part of the inspiration came from the fact that Bing was an actor who was so enamored with baseball. And when he went to Portland to start up up his brainchild, I guess a lot of people thought it was a nutty idea: An actor? Baseball? How do THOSE two concepts fit together? may have been a common thought. Having received my MA in Theatre Arts a few moons ago, I can relate a little. No, I never played a sheriff on Bonanza nor was I ever asked for my autograph, but my love for the stage paralleled my love for the sport. I often found it challenging to talk to one group of friends about theatre and the other group of friends about baseball. Especially being a Girl talking about baseball. Oy. But so much of the time I got my inspiration for what I did on stage from baseball. There on the field would be a cast of characters (and apparently the Mavericks were quite the characters) that I could study and observe and learn about. To me, baseball wasn't just a game of numbers. It's also so much a game of personalities. Stats can only take you so far in understanding the Players. I look for patterns. Trends. Behaviors. Circumstances. When does Matt Kemp start to slump? Could I predict when he would snap out of it? Why was Gagne so focused during his Save Record? When does Kershaw throw his best? Why was Lasorda so successful in managing the team back in his day? Why did we have so many walk off wins when Broxton would "close"- could I predict when he would blow the save and chase the win? Others often scoff when my opinions go against what the numbers say.  But the guys on the field inspire me to think outside the box and look deeper into why things happen- on and off the field.
Girl Talk: Sometimes we need a little inspiration. Inspiration can lead to hope. And hope can leads to achievement. Remember the Zsa Zsa Zsu Carrie Bradshaw spoke about? When she dated Berger. (See pic below for memory refresher- Season 5 Sex and the City.) If you only look at a Guy's "numbers": height, eye color, hair color, weight, age... you're not going to get the full picture. Don't we want to see what lies beneath the skin? Don't we want to see why he does certain things or how he'll behave in certain situations? How will he respond in a crisis? Will he rise to the occasion? Or will he flail helplessly and simply stop trying? For me, it's the Guy who tries who captures my interest. He puts forth the effort. For me, it's the Guy who makes the first move and tries to get to know me. If I hit a fly ball will he try and catch it? Or will he let it just drop? Does he keep throwing the same pitch over and over? Or does he keep me on my toes and throw me a slider every once in awhile? And when the going gets tough, does he go on the DL (disabled list) for an extended vacay or does he work it out during the slumps trying to fix what's wrong so that he can be better? For me, there are a few inspiring Players on this year's Team. Those are the ones I really watch because they inspire me. I take it all in because there's just something about them- something about them that triggers the imagination and truly inspires. For me, the numbers don't tell the whole potential of each Player- or Guy. Each Player's story, each Guy's story, will speak 1,000 words. And that story Girls, THAT story, is where the Zsa Zsa Zsu radiates from. 

Just chalk this one up to things that run through my mind during a rain delay..

Game's not over yet. Rain delay. I've actually never minded rain delays believe it or not. They give me a chance to reflect and relate to the game I've been watching. Oh I'm sure the Players aren't fond of them. Warmed up, on a roll, the adrenaline is going and then well hello Mother Nature like a wet blanket. But here's what I've been seeing today: Kershaw is showing off some good stuff. With the obvious stated, now to discuss Puig and Gordon not in the line up today. With that, we've had a chance to take a look at what Miguel Rojas and Jamie Romak can do as they started today. Both were looking for their first major league hits, and they both found them- one right after the other. Romak hit two runs in with a double (nicely done), followed by Rojas who then drove Romak in (again nicely done). Always nice to see Players succeed, but especially freshly called up Players. Romak has been playing in the minors for over a decade and finally got "the call" almost two weeks ago Can you imagine the feeling? All that time, just working hard, doing your best, finally the phone rings... and you're you're told to go ahead and pack. You're heading up. Now's your chance. What an amazing feeling that must have been! Yes, yes, if you figured that I got teary eyed when I heard Jamie's story you guessed right. All. That. Time. Paying his dues in the minors. The fact that he finally has a chance to play - let alone start today- just gives me chills.
Back to the rain delay for a moment: Girl Talk: like I said, it's a chance to reflect. How many times do we actually get that kind of chance in our daily lives. At work, in our relationships, on a date. Or how often - if we get the chance- do we take advantage if the opportunity to take a step back and do so? Can you imagine how many bad dates would end prematurely (and mercifully) if we could just take a moment to step back and say quietly, "Dear self, how can make this date go better- or go away?" Oh if only it were socially acceptable to do so (step back and talk to one's self I mean). And then to walk away from a stupid situation if indeed we DID take a moment to reflect and admit, yeah, this date is not going well. OR.... OR here's the other side of the coin: if the date is going really well, how many of us allow ourselves the privilege to truly reflect and relish the moment? How many times do we go out on a date that is going really well (I know I can end the sentence right there and single Girls everywhere would understand)- but how many times do we get the chance to truly acknowledge the wonderful time we are having? You know, when the chemistry is clicking and neither of you wants to call it a night? Do we give ourselves the chance to step aside mentally and tell ourselves- "Yeah, this is working. The butterflies are here and I don't want them to leave." That's the zsa zsa zsu. When the butterflies haven't visited for a while. Next time you're ahead in the game, take a moment. Breathe it in. Let him see what he's doing is working too. If you're on the same team, you're probably rooting for each other to win anyway. Doesn't hurt to throw a few signals every now and then that say, "Yeah, that last pitch worked. Go ahead. throw me another. That curve ball of yours so far is the best I've seen."  

UPDATE: Final Score: Dodgers 6, Rockies 1. Game called early due to rain. Nice to see the Umps were able to reflect a little, too.

Out of Sight Out Of Mind

It occurred to me the other night when a Twitter Dodger fan posted a picture of the Stadium. She was at the game Friday night (presumably). Her tweet wondered where everyone was due to the visibly sparse attendance. Now, it being a Friday night AND the LA Kings were playing Game 6 (they lost but that's another story), could have been factors in the sad sight of attendance. Then of course, there is the fact that we are seven games back of the first place Giants as of today. But I couldn't help but wonder if perhaps there was a certain element of out-of-sight-out-of-mind. With Time Warner Cable having hi-jacked the viewership of the LA fans (albeit with the 25-year contractual blessing of the Dodger ownership), I wondered if that had something to do with it. I would be curious to know if overall attendance has been down or not this season compared to last season- but then again last season TWC held their viewers hostage as they "negotiated" with CBS and KCAL and once again blackouts were the norm. Tuesdays and Wednesdays were inaccessible on television. So this leads me to believe the Owners don't really care about the fans at all- after all, they did give sole distribution rights to the very cable company who took away games before AND who is known for lengthy blackouts during Superbowl games. Look, if I can't watch game at home, I forget about the games altogether. I don't get the privilege of watching the game at home and thinking: "Hm, that looks like fun. I haven't been to a game in awhile. Maybe I'll go." If I can't see on TV, I forget to go see it in person.
The season did have a weird start to it I felt. First there was the trip to Australia (DON'T get me started on THAT- we should have NEVER gone on the first place).  Second, last year the minimum game plan for season tickets was 15 in order to secure Opening Day- this year it was 30. Priced out a lot of people. And now recently, the fans were not able to watch history being made with Josh Beckett's no-hitter. Look, I couldn't switch cable providers if I wanted to- it doesn't work that way. Most cities have limited options- Pasadena has Charter and AT&T U-Verse. Time Warner isn't even an option. And the cable providers know this. So when they advertise to "Switch to Time Warner today!" it's ridiculous. There is no way I can watch the games in Pasadena. None.
Look, I thought it was neat when they made all the upgrades to the Stadium. I figured they would raise the prices some too. But to take access away altogether from so many fans? That's just rude. So now, I don't think about going to games too much. This time last year, I had gone to about ten games already (I checked my 2013 calendar). This year so far, three games. And here we are almost to June, and I only have tickets for two games in August- only because a friend is going on vacation and didn't want her tickets to be wasted. I doubt I'll go before then. I'm losing interest. Sad. I never thought that would happen. Oh I'll listen to the games on the radio since that's all the Owners want us to do anyway I guess. Maybe check the scores online. But watching it- seeing the Stadium on TV- seeing the close up of the fans- the camera panning the sky above Chavez Ravine as the blimp flies over... that all reminds me I want to go. My senses are stirred. It all reminds me that I want to be there in person. So yeah, if attendance was down yesterday according to that one Twitter Fan, that would be my guess why. Out of sight, out of mind. But hey, the Owners are getting what they wanted. I guess. I just don't understand why they wanted this. A lot of people who have Time Warner aren't even watching out of protest and disgust from what I have heard.
(Oh, and really glad they didn't buy the Clippers. Wouldn't want them taking them away too.)
Girl Talk: It's like when you and your Guy don't see each other for a while. You can sit around waiting for him to call... you can sit around waiting for Time Warner and the other cable providers to get their act together and make friends... but what are the chances? You just kinda find other things to do.
Oh sure, absence can make the heart grow fonder. But if you weren't in first place to begin with, he's never available and you were trailing behind by 7 games anyway, chances are... he's just not that into you. Out of sight, out of mind. 
Time Warner has once again blown it, as have the Dodger Owners. I guess what I would need is a surge of Fan Love. I need to be swept off my feet. By the Owners, Cable Providers and the [hypothetical] Guy.

After the clear neglect during this Time Warner experiment gone awry, I would expect nothing less than full access from all cable providers. And fresh flowers wouldn't hurt. Stargazer lilies, lilacs and/ or daffodils please.

Cold pizza for breakfast

Ever had cold pizza for breakfast? It's good, but it's never as good as the first warm, gooey cheezy slice you had the night before. Even if you stick it in the microwave, it's still not the same. Nonetheless, you eat it because it's there, and at least it's something for breakfast and it simply works. Dodgers won today. Yay! But there was something anticlimactic about today's win, especially after yesterday's no hitter. Ryu was magnificent! Striking out batters left and right, he was amazing. And up to the eighth inning, it was a perfect game. New Girls: Something very important to note: Baseball is an extremely superstitious game. Players, Fans, Announcers (MOST Announcers) all know the rule: DO NOT SPEAK of a Perfect Game DURING the said possible Perfect Game while it is happening. Doing so runs the risk of jinxing it. Do not argue logic here. Just respect the tradition. So if you are ever watching a game with someone and you happen to notice they have grown quiet and still, and you happen to realize that the other Team hasn't had a hit or any base runners DO NOT - I repeat- DO NOT bring it up in conversation! Ok, back to today's game. Ryu was brilliant on the mound. PIZZA! But the Announcer kept jabbering on and on and on and on and on... worse than a Girl!- about the fact that there might be a perfect game at stake here. True to superstition, the "Perfect Game" was spoiled when a runner was allowed on base. Ryu finally handed control of his near perfection to the bullpen (always a YIKES lately). By the time the game was over, Dodgers had won, but the other team had scored a few runs. Once again, the bull pen struggled to get the final outs.The game had lost some of its luster. Cold pizza. Let's relate: Girl Talk: You're all set for the date. Favorite heels, favorite lip gloss, and he even shows up with flowers. (Do Guys even do that anymore?) The first hour or so goes well. Then he says something stupid. I mean really stupid. (Insert your own definition of stupid here.) But he instantly realizes his mistake, backpedals and apologizes. You can tell he's sincere with the apology, and so you decide to overlook the stupid, but the rest of the evening is just awkward. He leans in to kiss you goodnight, you go with it, and thank goodness he's a good kisser. So on that note you agree to see him again. As you go inside, you shake your head to yourself.... a slightly anticlimactic ending after a great start. This was today's game. We won- yes. I'll take the win. But in the end, it was like a sandwich that fell in the sand. You still eat it because it's all you brought and you're hungry, but just not as enjoyable.
Look, I know life's not easy, and it wouldn't be any fun if it were (although I might be willing to try the easy route now and again). Life's not easy and "Perfect" is rare. But here's the thing: you know it when you see it. Or hear it. Or feel it. You just know it. And if you don't know it, then the butterflies will tell you. That's the zsa zsa zsu. You don't dare speak of it so as not to jinx it. You just... go with it. You just... enjoy it. And if you're lucky, Perfect will linger a little longer than 8 innings. And so will the flowers.

Unplanned History

OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG! Josh Beckett threw a no hitter today! New Girls:A no hitter simply means just that- the Pitcher does not allow any hits. The next best thing would be a perfect game in which the Pitcher would not allow any runner to reach base- no walks, no hits.  A no hitter is difficult to achieve and happens infrequently to say the least. The last Dodger to throw a no hitter was Hideo Nomo, September 17, 1996.
Last year Josh Beckett was experiencing physical challenges and had to have surgery. No feeling in his finger tips. He missed most of the season. Here we are, it's May 2014, and he throws a no hitter.
There are a couple of ways I wrap my brain around something like today. I'll start with a frivolous comparison:
1. The near perfect date. Maybe he's a little late picking you up, but once he arrives, the rest of the night just falls into place. The way he looks at you, the sound of his voice, the way he holds the door open for you, the way his hand feels on the small of your back as you walk out together... it's nothing you can plan. Oh you plan the date and hope all goes well, or at the very least hope he remembered to shower, but you can't plan the feeling. You can't plan the spark. You can't plan the chemistry. When the right stuff just happens, when the right guy smiles at you, the zsa zsa zsu  hits... and everything just falls into place and you just go with it.
You just... enjoy the moment.
That's my mushy side making a comparison between baseball and life. Again.
The more practical outlook my brain adopts is this:
2. With the right support from those you love around you (Beckett thanked his family in a post game interview for their support this past year), you can bounce back from anything.
The whole reason I write this blog is to spark interest in Girls who may know very little about the sport. I try and capture the interest through the spirit of the game- an interest by drawing parallels to the game from a Girl's perspective on just about anything else. This way the Girl can relate to her Guy's perspective a little more when he's watching the game. She can draw her own parallels. It's kinda nice when the minds can meet. In this case, in today's game, I think we can all relate to being immersed in something so unique an amazing that we get caught up in the moment. Everyone likes to feel special. Whether on a first date, landing an awesome job, buying a new pair of awesome heels on an impulse buy.... Anything awesome that comes our way, especially when there was no way we could have planned it,  we should acknowledge it and appreciate it to the fullest. Beckett said in his interview he was taking nothing for granted. Nice.    
Tonight is Josh Beckett's night. He should feel pretty darned good about what he did out there. Congrats to Josh Beckett.Welcome to the history books!

Life's Funny like that.. Like Baseball

Not gonna lie, last year was rough for me. From a single girl's perspective. I was looking for a permanent job (I was temping fairly steadily but I wanted something permanent), the dating scene was a flop, and everything just seemed to be a struggle. I felt like I was moving forward, slowly, but there were lots of hurdles to over come.
Last year I turned 42. I often match my age to a Dodger number. Last year was my Jackie Robinson year. New Girls: Jackie Robinson wore #42. The number has since been retired across all teams. No one wears it any longer. I tried to learn from Jackie: I didn't lose my cool, I hung in there and I always did my best. It paid off. I recently went permanent at a great company in a great role, working in the field that I adore: legal.
This year I turned 43. That's Brandon League's number. New Girls: Brandon League had a real rough year last year. He's one of our relief pitchers, and let's just say he had a REAL rough year last year. On my birthday this year, (which happened in April), I quietly promised myself I would just have a little faith that this year was gonna be better. I really wanted Brandon League to have a better year- and I really wanted to have a better year as well.
Well, Brandon League, #43, has been bouncing back lately. This season has definitely been better for him. While the rest of the Dodger bullpen has been questionable to say the least, Brandon League seems to have turned things around for himself. He has once again become the pitcher who we can kinda breathe a sigh of relief when he takes the mound. He's worked hard to over come his pitching falters. He's really turned things around for himself and thus re-proven himself.
I can relate. I'm no former All Star pitcher, but haven't we all had our moments when we thought no one was rooting for us? The lump in your throat makes it hurt to swallow. But all you can do is keep moving forward with your head up, surrounding yourself with those who believe in you, work hard and do your best... and hope it pays off.
Like I said earlier, I am thrilled that I recently went permanent at a job I adore. And it clearly looks like Brandon League's hard work is paying off too. Bouncing back after a rough patch feels good.
Kirk Gibson once said in an interview something to the effect of: "That's the beauty of the game. Just when they think they've got you, you go out there and you prove them wrong."
That's how I take a step back and reflect. Life is funny like that. Life is like baseball. Just when they think they've got you... you can go out there and show 'em what you're made of. It is SUCH an awesome feeling! So.... Here's to a good year- for the Dodgers, for Brandon League #43,... and for single girls everywhere... cheers!