Le Provocateur

Issue date: 5/3/04 Section: Sports

That one is headed for the fences

As the cool breezes and brisk winds pave the way for cloudless skies and longer days, the Assumption community will grow considerably more active outside. Walking to class will no longer feel like a chore but rather a relaxing stroll. Sweatshirts and jeans will ultimately be replaced with mesh shorts and T-shirts.

College in the spring is one of the most unique atmospheres you can experience as a human being, especially after enduring the New England weather all winter. We deserve this weather. Therefore, we, as students, owe it to ourselves to enjoy it...athletically.

Assumption is unique in that it is hidden in a somewhat rural part of urban Worcester, which allows us the opportunity to take advantage of the all the grassy areas and fields placed almost strategically all around the campus. There's no better time or place to engage in an intense game of Ultimate Frisbee or a pitcher's duel in wiffleball than at college. The beauty of these different recreational sports is that both men and women can enjoy them.

Understandably, some people get bored easily as we live in an A.D.D generation and people can't sit in the living-room without checking 100 different cable channels before they give into one for at least five minutes. That's why creativity should be encouraged in recreational sports. For example, wiffleball should always have a strike zone, usually a lawn chair. This way it eliminates any arguments concerning balls and strikes.

Now, say you have a pitcher that couldn't hit a rhino in the rear with a snow-shovel. Five straight balls is a walk and most likely an open invitation at heckling, which in my book is completely legal and often encouraged.

Other problems may arise to hold up the game. You might get a guy that never swings the bat; I like to call them "noodle-armed choir boys." In this case, you must get a little creative. My friends and I came up with the "pants down rule." It states that if you get caught looking at a third strike you must play the next half inning with your pants around your ankles. Spectators just think you're an idiot and you'll obviously be swinging the bat next time around.

"The pants down rule is almost essential to keep the game moving. Everyone's swinging the bat and on top of that it's absolutely hysterical," said Junior Joe Galdi. "Try running with your pants around your ankles and see how far you get; obviously you're not going to be a good fielder with your pants down."

This rule makes wiffleball very interesting.

Again, Ultimate Frisbee is a great way to incorporate a large group of people. There's really no set limit to how many people can play, but it's really at its best when its around seven on seven. The football field would make a great place for a game or even the back half of the softball field.

Street hockey is also a great way to spend some down time. The 6-men tennis courts have a great surface to rollerblade on, and there is nothing better than a big game of street hockey on a Saturday.

Whatever sport you choose, make sure you get out and enjoy the weather. The nice days are sometimes few and far between. So kick some tunes, get out on the fields and work up a sweat.

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