SPEEDBALL

Ever play the game? we did in high school. let me explain:

the game is played on a soccer field (futbol) for my spanish speaking friends.

the game is continuous no stops, no pauses,no whistles

the object is to put the ball into the net (a soccer ball)

you may move the ball by throwing it to a compatriot whom must catch it on the fly and run or throw

or by kicking it-which allows the ball to be caught on the fly or on 1 bounce.

drop the ball on throw or kick, or catch on 2 bounces or more-foul

the other team now controls and action returns the other way.

get my drift-comprende?

to score? 3 ways

throw the ball past the goalie and into the net= 1 point

kick the ball=2 points

run the ball past the goal line and into the net=3 points

O.K.

we are out at gym class 1 day at high school east and the other team drops the ball

i am closest- so i run towards and kick

the ball flew high and far (mr sterling)

i see the goaltender and david bauer (a gangly un-athletic socially stunted team member)

alone in front of the net as the ball is approaching.

the goalie attempts to catch-but david(much taller) tips the ball over his head and receives

he is now standing alone 10 feet from the net.

he hesitated. (i thought-"uh-oh")

he went to throw and then stopped-then dropped kicked

and clanged the ball off the goal post- action returned the other way...

(a few players fell to the ground in hysterical laughter)

after the game i asked david-"what were you thinking?"

"run the ball over the line=3!"

"i know i know" "all i could think was a kick was better than a throw"
"i got stressed"

i saw david at our high school reunion and reminded him of this story.

he laughed (he was dressed to the nines)

"do you know what's really funny mr.bauer"

(i graduated 37th in the class-david? 3rd) {of 750}

"look around - i'll bet my bottom dollar that you're the richest man in the room"

he smiled

demurely...

PS: some things never change-it's just the way it is

  (bruce hornsby)