Hey there sports fans, Bas here....I figured it was about time I explained American sports to all of Mom's Netherlands friends. So as they say in baseball...PLAY BALL!!!
Speaking of baseball, Mom is all gung-ho right now over those Texas Rangers fellas. It seems they've never won the World Series and actually only made it there for the first time last year and there's a good chance they may win. So Mom has been glued to the tv and by glued I mean stuck to the edge of her seat on the couch. Which, by the way, has created a bit of a problem. You see normally at night, once Mom and Dad have gone to bed I set up my guard post on 'their ' couch (they actually think that they have a couch...haha..they're both mine) , but since Mom's baseball is only on at 2am she's taken over...she has no idea how this has messed up my sleeping patterns. To make matters worse it's football season as well. Anyway, as I said she has been stuck to the couch, but it has given me the opportunity to learn and start to understand sports a bit better.
For example, I believe I finally have the language of sports down. Below I will give you a few phrases and such along with their meaning.
1. GO,GO, GO, GOOOO! Now this was very confusing at first , I assumed it meant get off the couch...now why she would say this to me is beyond me, but I finally figured out that it was her way of communicating with the TV. Apparently, if you yell this enough the little people inside the Tv do what you want them to ....sometimes. Now this is only a theory and I have not attempted it myself.
2. Nooooooo! This was confusing as well, I actually I thought I was in trouble at first..imagine that...me? in trouble? Puhhlleeassse!! No, it actually means something bad happened on the TV. Either the other team scored a homerun (baseball) or a touchdown (football) or something else bad has happened. This was yelled quite frequently during the Texas Longhorns vs. Oklahoma Sooners game.
3. YESSSSSSSSSSS! Now I know most would assume that this means I did something really good, but alas, no, it only means something really good happened with the little people on the TV again.
4. Kiss it GOODBYE! This refers to when one of the little Texas Rangers hits a homerun. Unfortunately, I haven't come to a full understanding of baseball. I just don't get why anyone would intentionally hit a ball only to run after it. Seems silly to me, but then I've never cared much for the game of fetch anyway.
5. AW, C'MON! Generally means that Mom is mad at either the little men in the striped shirts or the black outfits. Clothing depends on whether it's football or baseball.
Now it's not only the speaking language of the games you need to understand, but also the body language.
For example,
1. When Mom jumps up it's usually a good thing.
2. Claps her hands...great thing.
3. Pulls on her hair...bad thing.
4. Grabs Dad, possibly a good thing. She did this frequently during something called extra innings.
5. Hands over face in almost a prayer fashion...very intense..actually sometimes I think she is praying..oh, and it's best not to stand in front of the TV during one of these prayers...I learned that the hard way.
Now for those of you just learning about sports, there is one other area you must have an understanding of before you can truly appreciate them. And that is simply how to watch the games. Postioning of oneself on the couch is detrimental to the enjoyment of the game. I have complied a few photo examples below. My personal favorite is on my back, belly exposed, and head on Mom's lap. This position provides for ultimate petting coverage.
Well, that's it for tonight. I'm sure after the World Series and as football progresses I will be able to include more tips for you. Until then Let's Go Rangers!!! I did that just for you, Mom.
