A simple matter of giving and receiving?

It starts with an empty field. Add three bases and a pitching screen (eventually). Stir in an umpire, a couple of captains and an assorted array of combatants, separated into two distinct parts, one set to give (hit), the other set to receive (catch). Let things cook at an outdoor temperature for up to 60 minutes (probably less), stir in some hits, runs, catches, sprinkle in a few errors for good measure and remove once activity has taken place. Repeat as necessary. Once more, in our case. When all is done, you essentially have an evening of what we like to call baseball. Some damn fine baseball it was. Some stellar hits, some exceptional catches. Some ups, some downs and even a come from behind win. Even some amazing acrobatics. Okay, perhaps just people falling down, but still doing it incredibly well. Even the passed balls, the missed catches, the bobbled bats, all were handled in an amazingly fine fashion. Good thing considering the number of errors that are bound to occur in the course of the evening. Unfortunately, we are only three weeks in and we already have someone on the DL. Out for at least six weeks with an injury, one that occurred off the field. One should always take care what they do between games. Plenty enough opportunity to incur injury while playing the game, you don’t need to do it in your regular every day activities. Take care Paula, heal well and we hope to have you hobbling back onto the field soon. The Mooseheads will be less without you. In the interim, there is a new player brought up from the minors to fill in, too keep the roster at capacity. Seek her out, be forthcoming with the introductions and make your presence known.

Now back to the giving and receiving part (hitting and catching). Essentially, each team takes a turn trying to give, while the other stands in front of them trying to receive. Even though we attempt to share both equally, there is, at times, more giving than receiving and, at other times, there is unsuccessful attempts at giving, which is sometimes never well received. The ratio of giving to receiving and vice-versa determines the outcome, victory normally falling to those who give the most with little concern for those who receive, at times completely avoiding the recipient. The same team must also display the opposite when it comes their turn to receive, scooping up all that is given, preventing those that give any chance to receive any benefit from their actions.

“It is better to give than receive”. Well, perhaps morally precise. Logistically, can be a bit confusing, as wholly indicated by the preceding paragraphs and those that are sure to follow. In baseball, it is better to give when no one is there to receive, but it is best to receive every time someone tries to give. Perhaps then, it is better to give and receive. That is, as long as you occupy both sides of the stick. Even further, even if you are ready to receive, it is still better if no one gives, unless it is your turn to give, then it is better if no one is able to receive. So, it may be no better to give or receive, unless you are doing more giving and receiving than those receiving and giving. Still, perhaps, confusing. Perplexing at the very least. Fortunately, I was never one for clarity. Yes, it is better to give than receive, simply because when you give, you hope there is no one to successfully receive. If no one successfully receives, then your act of giving will allow you to receive as well, in the form of a scored run. So, you both give and receive. On the other hand, when you are receiving, you may still wish someone to give, although you wish to successfully receive so the person giving does not receive reward for their act of giving. So, in that instance, it would be better to receive than give. Better maybe to neither give or receive. But then we would all just be standing around, doing little but looking silly, so I guess it is fundamental to maintain a certain amount of back and forth, a certain degree of giving and receiving. Still, it appears I continue to confuse rather than clarify, perplex rather than rectify. But I continue to give, even if it is only my opinion and is bound to put me on the receiving end at some point. Therefore, with apologies to humanitarians everywhere, it is probably best for you and for the benefit of your team to simply give and take. Appears to be a lot of give and take in our league, even if it is only someone giving it and someone else taking it. Hopefully, they take it off the chin, except when they are assuming a position on the field, waiting for someone to give something for them to receive. Then it would be better to take it in the glove. So, it may be better to give than receive, but it might be more opportunistic to give and take. Just to be safe, be sure to keep your receipts.