Flanders

Last night my son's little league team had it's second game of the season. We walked away winners, despite the fact that the other team rallied late in the game. I say "we," because somewhere along the way I got dragged into this thing and now I'm an assistant coach.

Here's a hint for all you single ladies out there: When a guy in Oakley sunglasses holding an aluminum bat asks you to grab a glove and go help warm up the kids while we wait for the field to clear up, tell him if he don't put a ring on it to go screw.
Otherwise you might end up standing in a dugout having this conversation:
(Not my) Kid: Is that a lip ring?
Me: Yep.
Kid: Does it hurt?
Me: Nope.
Kid: Did it hurt when you got it put in?
Me: A little bit.
Kid: I have a fake tattoo (shows me his arm).
Me: Cool.
Kid: Do you have any tattoos?
Me: A few.
Kid: You have a fat belly.
You know what kid? Screw you. Santa Claus doesn't exist. Honestly, where the hell did that come from? And of course the brat's dad (another assistant coach) is standing right there -- not saying a goddamn thing while his son continues to rattle off observations about my physical appearance while I have to sort of just stand there and eat it in the name of team spirit.

It's this whole weird thing going on with this team -- the majority of whom apparently have all been together since T-ball, and are all pretty buddy-buddy (most of the kids on the team go to school together). I chose this particular league because they play close to my father house -- meaning my son's grandfather would be able to see the games fairly easily (it's also a good midpoint between the opposing sides of town that my ex and I live at) -- but because it's not a neighborhood league, my son and I are kinda outsiders.
When you're a kid who likes the same cartoons and candy as everyone else that's apparently not a problem.
But when you're the dude with the tatts and the piercings who's not yet accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior, it's another thing entirely.
And it's starting to get old.
For the record, I like the people involved with this team. Aside from the zealotry, they're all pretty nice guys. They've accepted me and my son with open arms, and have taken the extra time to ensure that his lack of experience (this is Curren's first time playing a team sport) isn't a hindrance. It's just that whenever practice is over and we're all heading to the parking lot -- at least one of these dudes has felt the burning need to come up to me and let me know just how "cool" their church is, and maybe I'd like to come by Sunday to see how I like it?
It's like I have the word "Heathen" written on my forehead or something.
Look, I got no problem with the G-man. God created Megan Fox, and anyone who thinks like that can't be all bad. But lay off with the evangelizing already. Seriously, isn't there something in the constitution about the separation of church and baseball?

Of course the worst part of the whole thing is that the kid who called me fat wasn't doing it out of any sort of spite, he was just stating a fact in that adorable way that 8-year olds tend to do. They see something, they say something about it. It took a little while, but I'm kind of used to my son having no filter when he observes the world around him. It reminds me sometimes to look at things for what they are, and not to wonder so much what everything freaking means all the time.
All that being said, I'm seriously considering introducing that
kid to as much devil music as I can before the season is over.

[Listening To:  Return to Forever"Sorceress" ]

Comments

Monster said…
I have a similar issue with the other baseball parents. I'm a big big big baseball fan, but I'm also clearly not the typical baseball fan. When these guys act like they're talking above me with OBP and the in-field fly rule, I have this burning desire (usually denied) to first correct their retarded understanding of the game, and then start a conversation about Dungeons and Dragons - just to fuck with 'em.
Satorical said…
The evangelizing is part of the town, not the game. And, as you've made clear, this is all about Curren. You're a good dad.

That said, it doesn't take much imagination to piss off someone who's out to convert you. It sure would be tempting to counter that church invitation with "sorry, my boyfriend gets crabby if I don't spend Sundays with him. But you're welcome to join us."

Other possibilities:

"I'm Jewish."
"I'm Muslim."
"Fuck off."
Anonymous said…
Children are refreshingly honest, aren't they? My son is four and tends to speak his mind. So when he does things like point out that I do not have a penis, I counter with some unfiltered observations of my own, like, "You're short" or "You can't drive a car" and usually that distracts him enough so that he knocks it off. I call it taste-of-your-own-medicine parenting, which is why I also outscream him during tantrums. One day he will relive his childhood in a therapist's office.
The Kaiser said…
My all time favorite response to an evangelist (door to door in this case):

Them- "Have you heard about the Bible?"
Me- "Yes." [close door]

Honestly it's the constant harangue of god stuff that keeps me from associating with most religious people. I don't go around pushing my theories about the rational basis of ethical behavior on them all the time, so if they'd just lay off about their invisible friends, nature spirits, thetans or whatever the fuck gets them through the day without murdering and stealing shit I think we could all have a good time and be friends.
Anonymous said…
That little dialogue reminds me of Kindergarten Cop.
Heff said…
Break out the "Slayer" ! Time is of the essence !
Anonymous said…
It's not a tumor!

I'm in the same boat (drafted into coaching T-ball). I've coached 5 and under soccer, which I'm qualified for (it just takes love of the game and kid wrangling skills, I was at one time good at soccer also).

But I'm not qualified for T-ball coaching (I mean I know baseball and statistically the sport, but I was never a fan or much of a player- I like beer and hot dogs at the game and that is about it).

I just ignore the other dads when they are dicks and make friends with the ones who aren't. They are just a bunch of people I have to get along with and show my son how to get along with for a couple hours a week.

My kid has also called me fat. Apropos of nothing. I don't usually stream of consciousness him. He couldn't handle it yet. He does say some hillarious stuff.
Melissa T said…
LMAO!..... Sorry..... Nope, still LMAO...
I'd like to put you in a room with my Bible-thumping Mother and watch the fireworks.... safely from the other side of the two-way mirror...
If I end up where she says I am going before you do, I'll save you a seat.