A League of Their Own

So I had DVR'ed this movie the week before the ban began, and today, while waiting for the plumbers to install a new hot water heater after a major failure today, I decided to watch it.  Not really thinking about being sports-celibate, not truly caring...  And yes, I've seen it before, but not for years.

Allyson came home right after the great scene that the movie is famous for.  (sidenote: best line in that exchange to me is "Use your head, it's that lump three feet above your ass!", which of course causes the crying)  But as the movie went on, and they ended up in the world series, I started getting into it.  I started explaining to Allyson about why missing the cutoff man is such a no-no, and how modern ball players screw that up all the time too, then I started talking pitching strategy.  "If the batter knows you know her tendencies, then the catcher has to change it up.  You can't throw three straight high heaters, thinking she's gonna keep swinging and missing, you have to throw the third one in the dirt damnit, just to keep her honest.  Some great catcher she is!", referring to the main character Geena Davis plays who is the catcher making the pitch calls against her kid sister the batter.  Next thing you know, kid sister smacks an inside the park home run (I knew this already) and wins the world series.  And how did I feel?  Pissed.  Angry.  Kinda yelling a little bit at the absurdity of that pitch call.  Yes, I'm a Rockford Peaches fan too, I guess.  I was definitely into it, and it was a fake game to which I knew the outcome well in advance.

Of course, Geena's character is my total opposite.  Great ball player (except in that instance), but totally willing to walk away and not give another thought to the game.  She could let it go, or compartmentalize it, or something.  Not me.  I'm still annoyed by it 4 hours later, and willing to admit that clearly, I have violated the spirit of my celibacy period (only took 12 days).  Still, I was so thrilled to see Cooperstown, Doubleday Field, and the outside of the HOF in the movie, if for no other reason than they're home to me now.  I love going over there and dreaming about my favorite game (in spite of the futility of my hometown team).   There is an exhibit on the AAGPBL there which is well done (and nothing like the one in the movie). 

Guess I'll hop back on the wagon in the morning.  And for the record, I would have told the pitcher to throw one behind the kid sister's head, just to mess with her - Bull Durham style.