Something Better

One of Austin’s favorite shows is ABC’s Wipeout. It was on last night so we sat downstairs as a family watching it. That has nothing to do with this story, other than to establish the fact that we were all together watching TV last night. Well, the College World Series was on too, so we were flipping back and forth. More specifically it was game 3 of the best-of-three Championship Round between Texas and LSU. It wasn’t all that close, but I definitely wanted to see the last out and subsequent dogpile celebration. When LSU finally won, the dogpile ensued.

Angie said to Austin, “Someday you’ll get to do that” in hopes that someday we’ll get to attend the College World Series and watch one of our boys celebrate a national championship. Are we setting expectations too high? Anyway, back to the story.

He vehemently denied that he would ever participate in any such celebration.

“I will not do that,” he said, “because I’m going to play something better than baseball.”

I blacked out for a moment, but Angie was able to resuscitate me. When I finally came to, we inquired as to what could possibly be better than baseball (both of us were quite worried at this point, with our dreams of a College World Series hanging by a thread).

Austin’s response?

“I’m going to play SOFTBALL” he exclaimed.

The rest of the night was a blur for me. Not from my brief fainting spell, but because Angie was literally bouncing off the walls with happiness and excitement. All I could see was a blur as she raced around the room dancing with joy.

I guess we’ll have to be a little more specific when we mention attendance at the "College World Series" next time. Baseball/Softball, Omaha/Oklahoma City, 60 feet 6 inches/43 feet, not much difference, right? Oh yeah, then there’s that whole men/women thing too.