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For the 2009 Verdasys Softball season, the league staff have unofficially sanctioned an effort to truly capture the spirit and enthusiasm of our favorite past-time here in Waltham.

"... consuming beer can be done just about anywhere with- out even needing a justification like “exercise”"

Given the incredible drive of the members and tremendous support from management, it was decided that even those not present at games should participate in the commentary about them.

Thus was born this inaugural issue of the Absent Fan Report – a brief recap about each game that, unlike other tired sports journalism will not be born of any specific relationships with the players, what the rules are or even what actually may have happened. Indeed this is a new kind of journalism that seeks to capture just the feeling of what people thought of the game… because even the absent fans care about it that much.

The first game of the season was indeed a perfect backdrop for this new initiative. It has been said that the game was cancelled, postponed or maybe even no one decided to not show up – or at least that is what someone may believe. There was probably a game somewhere but who was playing and where is debatable. However, it is clear that there was much anxiety about the impending game and pent up desire to drink beer with a hint of trepidation that no one would have gloves. So while it is probably best that the alleged “weather conditions” were responsible for the game cancellation, for consuming beer can be done just about anywhere without even needing a justification like “exercise”, to the absent fan it makes no difference at all.

As to when the next game will be held and where is anyone’s guess. It is possible that no one will show up, there won’t be enough female infielders or a new episode of Lost is airing that day. In any case, the absent fans will be somewhere in spirit and there will be lively discussion about what may have occurred.

The Absent Fan is an anonymous contributor to the reporting staff of Verdasys Softball. This story was not subject to the approval of the league or its clubs.