"A better strategy for next time might be to share the coffee during pre-game warm-ups."

Team Verdasys, and perhaps their competitor, entered the game with the idea of having some fun on a nice summer day while drinking a little coffee between plays. Unfortunately, the terms “non-competitive”, “slow-pitch”, and “co-ed” softball fails to resonate with some individuals.

Take Game #5. A few players from the other “scientific” community team apparently were suffering from personal self-confidence problems – not altogether uncommon for serious introverts. As a result, said players played aggressively and competitively – even crowding in on the ladies at bat. Perhaps this made them feel better about themselves as it is all too difficult to fight the human urge to humiliate those with smaller statures.

No doubt the science team needed the coffee more than Verdasys did. A better strategy for next time might be to share the coffee during pre-game warm-ups. This might take the edge off and lead to a better understanding of how to have “fun”.

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.