Diesel Fume Ponderings

Declan Sartawi, representing babies everywhere.

SLOGS WARNING: If you are easily offended...ah, you know the drill.

Shukri Saleh is not worried about his sperm count.

Slogs Note: The following is an email from Shukri to Mude, modified from a letter Shuk sent to his parents.

First off, I would like to extend my best wishes and congrats to Brooke and Mude on the beautiful addition to their family. I feel I speak on behalf of the league (most of you, at least) and Mr. Jawad, of course, when I say that we are looking forward to getting smashed and inebriated on July 1st, 2010, Declan’s one year birthday! Congratulations. Love, Le Freak. Now, to all other young couples considering taking this big step in life, please reconsider. I prepared this list for my parents, detailing my reasons for not reproducing. 1. Why? Is it supposed to complete me!? My ass. 2. Bad investment. The costs involved in feeding, clothing, and educating the SOB or DOB. Children under 18 are a major financial liability. 3. I have seen too many good parents have their lives ruined because of their “problem child.” 4. Drugs. This can range from having an addict daughter/son, legal fees, legal issues, DUI, vehicular homicide, etc. 5. Raising the child. Having to feed it, bathe it, care for it, provide a loving & nurturing environment (I just tasted my own vomit), advising, guiding, and being a responsible father really seems like too much work and, more importantly, a MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY. 6. Activities like sports events, rehearsals, ballet, piano, Disney World, theme parks. (I’d rather have two root canals and have all my wisdom teeth yanked out again). Wow, is there any time left for my significant other and I? What about “our” activities? Can I really sit through a high school game or a little league season? 7. Birthdays. Mine were fun, but my parents hated it, and for good reason. 8. Family events. Having to do the “Holidays,” taking the children to their grandparents, cousins, and other relatives that come out of nowhere. 9. Education. Parent/teacher conferences, putting them in a good school and keeping up with their school events. I did well in school, but I disliked it. Why put myself through that crap again? 10. Stress. The stress involved with having a child. He goes out to play, she goes skydiving, she goes to the beach, he goes climbing or traveling, etc. I would be concerned and worried about their wellbeing the whole time, when I’d rather be enjoying myself or relaxing. 11. My significant other. Telling her, “Honey, I love you, but don’t love them (the kids).” I’m sure that will not go over very well with her. 12. Golf. I would much rather be golfing than doing the father-son or father-daughter bonding stuff. Yes I can take them out with me, but … no. 13. People say it’s only 18 years that they are with us, then they leave the house. 18 freaking years! That’s like more than a fourth of what I am expecting to live. Is Obama going to bail me out? 14. Religion. If my daughter or son came to me saying they found Jesus, or the words of Mohammed are echoing in their heads, or Moses (never mind…haha), I would lock them in a room and beat the stupidity out of them. The last thing I need is religion in my life. 15. You ever see those parents chasing their kids in the mall, or their child is screaming and kicking in the restaurant, or crying in the bank? Do you really want to be that parent? I have always wanted to walk over to such parents and ask them, “Do you mind if I slap your son and shut him up?” 16. Patience. Raising a child, or just being around him/her, requires patience, which I do not have at all. 17. Sex. What if you want to be loud? What if the kitchen table, sofa, or washing machine are the closest convenient spot? What if we want to invite a third person? I’m just saying, kids get in the way of a healthy sex life. 18. Family name is not a good enough excuse. 19. “This is why we were put on this earth.” Do you also believe in Noah’s Ark? Not good enough. Or, “It will make you happy.” Everyone has his or her definition of that. 20. Divorce. Hey, no marriage is guaranteed. Kids just complicate the divorce.

Poll Results...

Bite me.

Slogsville makes the call.

Just for fun, let's look at the standings, using Roman numerals: I. Slackers II. JoSox III. Camels IV. Canardlys V. Nomads So the "V" stands for five, just as the Nomads had intended. OK, that's not exactly what they had in mind. In real life, Roman numerals are used to add a sense of legacy. In marketing, Roman numerals are used to "dress up" inferior products. You be the judge. Speakin' about the Nomads...

Former Nomad Ramzey Nassar, in the hospital on game day. Ramzey would've made it to the game, but he insisted on having his temperature taken rectally, and it took the nurse a while to find a big enough thermometer. (Glad it was all OK, Ramzey. Hope this teaches you not to call in sick again. And not to have Zaki snap a pic of you and send it to the Slogs.)

Former Nomad John Simon spots Camel Saif Barhoum.

While Saif lifts to get exercise, his brother Laith just walks.

Nomad Omar Massarweh "points" to another loss. I guess he hasn't lost his passion. The Viagra helps?

Speakin' about another Nomads loss, here's your Week 6 slate: 9:00 AM: Canardlys @ JoSox Umps: 3 Nomads (Not one, not two, but THREE.) 10:45 AM: JoSox @ Nomads Umps: 2 Camels + 1 Canardly 12:30 PM: Slackers @ Camels Umps: 3 JoSox You're on your own for predictions. Use the comments section...and use your real name. Don't forget to vote in the new poll. Top of the green sidebar. Do it now. Photo Credits: Shukri Saleh, Zaki Ibrahim.

Week 4 Recap: Baby Monkeys!

Declan Sartawi, Buckeye

Before we get to this week's recaps, let me issue an official denial. There is no truth to the rumor around the league that Brooke & I purposely had our baby early so that she would be back in time for the Tourney. Yes, the Tourney is exactly six weeks away, and that's the recommended recuperation time for new moms, but come on. All of that was tongue in cheek, as are the allegations. I think.

We have a guest doing part of the recaps this week, but first, check out the new poll (in the green sidebar, on the right). On to the week that was...

JoSox 19 20 Camels 22 When the Camels show up with a full squad and play up to their talent, they are as good as any team in the league. It's nice to see them putting it all together. Well done. From the pen of Jeff "Goldilocks" Sillin, co-captain of the Camels: I know that your newborn child provides you a convenient excuse not to include this unfortunate chapter of JoSox history in the Slogs this week. However, if you do find it in your heart to create an entry, here are our notes from the game. Best defense we have ever played, anchored by a solid effort from George Sahyoun at SS, and a spectacular effort from Laith Barhoum at the hot corner (even though he still won't back up a throw for his f-ing life). Mohamed "Z-man" Zalatimo pitched and I don't think he even knows what a walk is. Nobody was hit in the face on our team this week, but I took four balls off the chest. [Mude Note: Does that mean two naked guys sat on Jeff's chest?] If Kevin Rowlson tries to tell you that every ground ball took a candy hop for our defense, tell him that I have the bruises to prove him wrong. At the plate, Aaron Bouchane went 3-5 with a dinger (inside job, the wind was vicious), Laith was 4-5 with another inside the park HR, Tarek Jallad had 4 hits, and yours truly was 5-5 with a triple and a double. Production came throughout the lineup. In a final note, the umps did an admirable job, especially when it came to controlling stupid comments without escalating them. Zaki deserves a nod for that. [Mude Note 2: Too bad he didn't have the required help from his own team. More punishments comin' down.] Canardlys 5 Slackers 18 I hear there was some yelling. Willie & Ash? Jawad? Somehow, the game was played. Slackers continue to roll and take over 1st place. Are they really the team to beat, or is this all the product of the easy part of their schedule and some shorthanded opponents? After all, they did lose to the shorthanded JoSox in Week 1. Time (and a couple of rematches) will tell. Nomads 6 Canardlys 7 Congrats to Canardlys on their first win. It's been a long time coming, and all of the Slogs are elated for your success. Post some stats or your own recap & I'll add it here. Nomads (except Zaki): We're not your maids. Show up & ump your scheduled games like everyone else. It's disgusting... and disrespectful to the rest of the people in the league. Man up. Finally...

To all of my fellow Americans, wherever you may be:

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

(And to the rest of the Free World: You're Welcome.)

Green Monsters' 'Princess' Is A Mama

After 11 1/2 hours of labor and some three weeks before the due date, former (and future?) Green Monster Jennifer AuCoin and her husband Steve LaBelle welcomed their first child, Simon Micheal LaBelle, into the world. He was born at 4:05 PM on July 7, 2007. (Yup, a 777 kid.)


Simon is healthy and so is Jennifer. But I'm worried about Steve. Congratulations to the Corner Beauty and her family from everyone at Amman Softball League!

Sleeping Stars shaken, not stirred

Abu Mitchell Al-Zarqawi’s cell was still sleeping at 9:00 AM last Friday. They probably didn’t have much of a chance anyway, as 007 himself was keeping an eye on the Stars’ captain and shortstop.

John Manning, your new 007, spies Pat Hillman.

The dapper spy employed Q’s latest gadgetry to foil his foes:

* A diabolical device that stealthily moves first base progressively farther from home plate as a Stars runner approaches.

* A leather-attracting magnetic-type thingy which draws the ball to the Eagles bats, then quickly repels it on contact, resulting in muchos hittos. (How do you say “hits” in Spanish?) Screw it, darbat iktar.

* White-hot dust made from nuclear waste that’s placed inside the hitters’ shoes, forcing the Eagles to take extra bases, even in the last inning of a blowout.

When confronted about his team’s use of technology to vanquish their rivals—and to explain what became of his pledge to start nine newborn babies against the Stars—Eagles’ captain Tom Manning shot back with a look of disbelief on his face:

“You would actually have me put white-hot nuclear waste inside a baby’s booties? What kind of a man are you?”

Abu Mitchell was last seen walking off the field, somehow still smiling. This may explain how he’s able to recruit so many people to his cause. The man oozes charisma and positivity, even when he’s grumbling about the infidels.

Ain't nothin' gonna get us down: The Stars always shine.

Will the Eagles continue on their roll, or are paybacks in their future?

Don’t mess with the bull, young lady. You’ll get the jalapenos.

This wasn’t the game anyone thought it would be. After an inning-and-a-half, the score was tied at one. One Traitor was then heard saying, “We’ve got ourselves a game.” But another Traitor dug deep into the Rules of Softball and discovered that the object of the game is to score runs while preventing the other team from doing the same.

Close game early: Ali Lejlic nails Ash Samawi at home.

And so an eight-run 2nd inning, followed by six in the 3rd (with nothing much in between for the Sluggos) was pretty much all it took for the Traitors to snap up an unexpectedly easy win. With it, the Gatorades took early control of the Long Division.

Swing-and-a-miss: Orrince's hat is cool.

Oh yeah, the call. Prior to the game, the ump (Note: ‘twas I) gave pre-game instructions to the pitchers and captains of both teams. He told them to yell and scream all they wanted, to ridicule the ump as they saw fit, and not to hold back their emotions. The only line in the sand was to not interfere with calls made by the umps. Just don’t make calls, not from the dugout, defense or base coaches. Those calls will be overturned and will go against you for interfering.

Wouldn’t you know, in the bottom of the 4th, your Uncle Mude found himself leaning against Dante’s Furnace. Brooke Sartawi (Note: my wife) failed to get back to first in time and was doubled up on a fly ball. That should have been the third out of the inning, but someone (I’m not saying it was Orrince) yelled “Out!” from the Sluggos dugout before the base ump could make the call.

Not even close: Brooke Sartawi would have been out at first.

Why me? Anyway, the inning went on. (But it would’ve been nice had the Traitors been good sports and just given up an easy out.) The three runs the Traitors put up in that inning had no effect on the game, as the Sluggos themselves stated. Later that night, however, I could hear a bunch of guys at a poker game insulting every member of my family, in vivid detail, from clear across town. Guys, leave my maternal great-great-uncle out of this, eh? The only thing he associated with “soft ball” was labaneh.

After the game, but before the Mude Haters Poker Club convened, I witnessed an event that changed me forever. Sluggo Orrince fed his baby daughter a jalapeno. She cried and cried. He laughed and laughed. Why would he do this to his own adorable baby? Because he can. I will never cross him again.

On a lighter note, here's Kevin Rowlson, taking his punishment like a, um...man...sorta:

Remember to let her into your heart

Lots of words today. Be sure to check the archives, as not all of today's updates appear on the main page.

At the top of your Softblog this fine Wednesday are a few pics of a beautiful young girl, Maryam. She had open-heart surgery in March, 2007, one of ten children that Gift of Life Amman (GOLA) helped as part of a medical mission between Al-Khalidi Hospital here in Amman, Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis, and many generous corporations, individuals, and volunteers from all over the world.

Maryam is back at home, and she's doing great. (Her aunt & I message each other frequently.) I want to thank each of you for joining Amman Softball League and contributing to GOLA's success in saving the lives of needy children. And thanks to Amman Little League Association and its president, Mr. Nabil Khoury, as well as all of their volunteers, for hosting us and making ASL a win-win for both organizations.

GOLA is an officially-regsitered charity, and we are always in need of financial contributions. Thanks once again for your generosity, and if you can afford to give a little more and wish to do so, please email AmmanSoftball@gmail.com, and I will put you in touch with our co-chairmen.

And now, here's Maryam...

Adoring Dr. Mark Turrentine, the surgeon from Riley.

Breaking my heart...

...and on her way home.

But when you talk about destruction: Eagles @ Stars

9:00 AM (81F/27C)
Umps: Slackers

Quite a war of words erupted between the two captains in the days leading to this much-anticipated game between two fired up teams.

Eagles captain and gyroball pitcher Tom Manning was in a confident mood, practically guaranteeing his team’s victory.

“We’re known as the team with all the kids, and that may give some of our opponents false hope,” said Manning, “But I have faith in our players because we all believe in our system.”

When reached for comment, Stars’ captain Pat Hillman, AKA Abu Mitchell Al-Zarqawi, all but issued a fatwa. “The blood of my enemies,” began an agitated Hillman, “shall flow like a river through the heart of the thirsty ballfield. Once quenched, the sand will shoot trees up to the heavens. And from these trees, we shall fashion wooden bats with which to score a whole lotta runs.”

“He’s all talk,” retorted Manning. “I’ll tell you what I’m going to do. I’ll head over to Farah Women’s Hospital right before game time and pick up their nine newest babies. Me and nine newborns, and we’ll pound the Stars.”

“Wait a minute,” shot back an incredulous Hillman. “There’s a women’s hospital in Jordan? Is that even legal?”

The Eagles and the Stars. You can’t make this stuff up.

(Actually, I just did make it up. All of it. But ignore the Fear Factor System at your own peril.)

I’ve got blisters on my fingers: Nomads @ Bling Bling

1:30 PM (90F/32C)
Umps: Traitors

Now that my calluses have disintegrated into my keyboard, we get to the final game of the day. Nomads’ captain Omar Massarweh remained strong and silent about the game, while Neal Zureikat was cordial and sportsmanlike on behalf of his Bling.

Yawn.

At least we have the unveiling of Schwa & Ziggy's picks, exclusively for this game:


Ziggy's Pick: Bling Bling

"Ooh, Bling. I can has shiny stuff, pls?"






Schwa's Pick: Nomads

"They're all red. Are they meat? Can I snack on them?"





Aside from the excitement of our cats' picks, there was some breakin' news involving the Nomads that needed fixin' right quick.

When Traitor Kevin Rowlson, the George Steinbrenner of Amman Softball League, expressed interest in acquiring the services of his former teammate, perennial basher and current Nomad Shukri Saleh, the League had to get to the bottom of these nefarious trickerations.

“I shot that birdie down,” replied Omar Massarweh within seconds. “My #10 is staying put.”

Kevin was too busy backpedaling to the shores of his Evil Emirate to comment. He was last seen trying to steal insulin from diabetics so he could trade it in for this darling orange bracelet that would just totally go with his outfit—er, uniform.

NEWS FLASH: We hear from reliable sources that Kevin is asking female members of his team how long they think it would take for his hair to grow out enough for him to wear a scrunchy on the field. UPDATE: We have been able to confirm that the scrunchy in question is more of a “bow thingy,” and that it is, in fact, orange:

And that’s what you get for trying to steal other teams’ players.

On a happy note for the Bling-It-Ons (Oh, it’s been bloughten), they have been bailed out of umpiring duties. Replied an ecstatic Neal, “[We] appreciate not having to ump. We took a lot of heat last game, literally.”

I hadn’t noticed, but then again, I never do.