Sam Finch Stands Up; Softball Predictions Gone Wrong
As a kid, my parents taught me responsibility. In a world today that sometimes doesn’t seem to have much of it, and as much as I sometimes try to avoid it, I just can’t seem to shake it. Harkening back to a different era, if “Take your medicine and admit when you’re wrong” wasn’t the message from your own Mom, you heard it from Ward and June Cleaver and Ozzie and Harriet Nelson. I was always encouraged to do the right thing, even if it was hard, so here goes…
I was wrong. I made predictions on the softball Super-Regionals. Researched, thoughtful, “educated” prognostications. I wasn’t sick, I wasn’t coerced nor blackmailed. The sun wasn’t in my eye and my dog had nothing to do with it. I just made a bad pick (or four.) I was just wrong. Flat-out, The-World-Will-End-On-December 12, 2012- wrong.
If I were Kaitlin Inglesby and Bryana Walker, I would be wanting an apology. You deserve one, and here it is-I’m sorry. The pitching pair from University of Washington carried the Huskies to a Super Sweep of the higher seeded Missouri Tigers. You two and your teammates deserved more respect than I gave you, I was wrong, and I am Super sorry.
Next up-Ashley Lane and the rest of the Michigan Wolverines. Microscopically closer to being right on the Michigan/Louisiana Lafayette outcome, Lane’s double with the Maize and Blue just a few outs from elimination justified the Ann-Arbor faithful view that I am an amateur when it comes to picking winners. To Lane, Coach Carol Hutchins, pitcher Sara Driesenga and the entire crew-I apologize. Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa, Michigan.
With that out of the way, Come on Down Tennessee Volunteers! Not only did I place too much faith in the Tide, I placed too little in a team as solid as you. Why I believed the Renfroe sisters (along with a quick dose of Cheyanne Tarango) would be outdueled is anyone’s guess…Rocky Top Rocks and I am really, really regretful I didn’t back you. Please find forgiveness in your sea of victorious Orange.
If that weren’t enough, I am ready for 20 lashes with a wet Cornhusk. Pardon me please, Lincoln Ladies. Emily Lockman, Mattie Fowler, Alicia Armstrong et al: I am filled with remorse. You ended any chance of a Duck Dynasty before it had a chance to get airborne and I didn’t see it coming. I should have known what you knew-that you would go on the road against #3 and come back winners.
There, I’m done. Gotta go now, my Crystal Ball needs packing.
