Taking One for the Team
SFist Ted, Weatherman, set a new standard for self-sacrifice that is going to be hard to top yesterday. On a cool evening at Jackson Park, SFist and friends took on Wired Magazine in a friendly game of softball. In the bottom of the first inning, on a short pop-up to center field, Ted came charging in and tried to make a diving catch. The ball dropped, but the inning ended when the runner was tagged heading into second.
Going over to check on Ted and congratulate him on his hustle, he told us "I think I broke my wrist. I don't want to look at it." Indeed, it was a grisly sight. After a frantic but ultimately fruitless phone call to Kaiser -- where the automated system told us "You've been selected to participate in a customer service survey," causing us to swear a blue streak and hang up -- SFist Rita drove Ted and Molly Go Lightly to the emergency room. Not exactly an auspicious start to the game, but Ted wanted us to keep playing, so following his example, we sucked it up and soldiered on.
Photos by Niall Kennedy, Min Jung Kim, Sarah Isaacs and Jason Schupp. More at the not-as-sexy-as-it-sounds Super Fisters photo pool.
While SFist struck first with two runs to start the game, Wired ended up winning by a score of something like 13-4 (sorry, Ted). SFist was rusty, as most of us hadn't fielded a grounder or taken a swing in years. But even after losing our star centerfielder and giving up a big third inning, our game began to improve, shutting Wired down in the bottom of the fifth with some excellent defense. We think if we'd played a full nine, we might have had a chance to get back into the game. We'll get you next time, Wired!
SFist's MVP of the game went was young Chris, whom we picked up from Wired off waivers at the last minute to fill a hole in our roster. He finished the day three for three with two runs scored and made some nice put-outs in the field playing second base. Jeffrey O'Brien of Wired, with whom we had organized the game, hit a two run tater, just beating the long throw from deep center field that needed two relay throws to get to the plate. There were some embarrassing fumbles in the field, but there was plenty of hustle and heads-up plays as well, and we're proud of the team effort all around.
The more athletically inclined on the SFist staff -- SFists Cheshire, Jon, Sarah, Jake and Jackson -- were also joined by our 'ringers' -- Heather from Stinky Pinky played first base, Chris Messina of FactoryCity pitched and Glenda from Agendacide roamed the hole at short. SFist Sarah's better half Greg donned a Super Fisters uniform, too, and number-one fan Min Jung Kim brought it with the geek heckles. "404!" she screamed after a foul ball by a Wired batsman. SFists Eve, Krissy, Isaac, MattyMatt, Karen and Mary-Lynn were joined by Niall Kennedy, Matt Mullenweg and even MetBlogger Jason Schupp in cheering for their fellow bloggers.
After a tough game, both teams met on the field to shake hands in a heartwarming display of sportsmanship. SFist Rita returned to let us know that Ted was doing okay and getting only the best painkillers. Then we all retired to Thee Parkside to drink away the twisted ankles and sore shoulders.
Being big old nerds, there was some skepticism going into the game ("Team sports are evil!"), but we think a lot of people were won over by the fun on the field and in the stands. Plans are being made to maybe put some more practice days and games together, so we're going to call the inaugural game of the Intellectual Property Softball League a success. If anyone's interested in playing, email us or leave a note in the comments.
The 'Fisters: Back row, from left to right -- Greg, Jake, Jon, Jackson, Chris, Cheshire, Heather, Chris. Front row -- Glenda, Sarah.
Get well soon, Ted! We'll win the next one for you.