Winning at all costs

Back 50 years ago, I was a Little Leaguer. Thus are the summers for Midwestern boys. One game in particular sticks in my mind.

Near the end of the season that summer so long ago, our team was fighting to stay out of last place in the league. I spent much of my youth trying to avoid last place, it seems.

Regardless, our opponent that particular game was in a similar position. Not much on the line, so to speak.

With the game tied in the final inning, somehow we managed to get a couple of runners on base. I was not among them.

So here's the scenario.

One out, bottom of the last inning, score tied. We had runners on first and third. All we had to do was to nudge that runner from third to cross the plate and it was game over, free sodas for all.

As the baseball gods looked down from above, our batter swung with all of his might and lofted a ball high into center field. All we needed was the runner from third to tag up following the inevitable catch and scurry home with the winning run.

Well, sure enough, the center fielder caught the fly ball and hurled it toward home. But we were Little Leaguers, and his throw barely made it into the infield. By that time, our fearless runner from third had crossed the plate easily, and the celebration began.

But in the background, out popped the opposing coach who rushed to the umpire on third. It's important to know that the third base umpire was probably all of 16 years of age.

The opposing coach yelled and screamed that our runner had left the base before the catch had been made and was therefore out. Instead of winning, the game would remain tied and head toward extra innings.

With no small amount of intimidation, the umpire sheepishly agreed with the bellowing coach and the celebration ended abruptly. We lost in extra innings.

The coach had decided to win this meaningless game at all costs. His antics were bush league, immature and well outside of the spirit of the game. What was to be a "game" had been transformed into some mean-spirited display of winning at any cost.

To this day, I assure you that runner on third remembers how he felt.

Now pardon my leap in connecting the dots, but the so-called "birthers" remind me of that coach. These fringe elements continue to question the birthplace of President Obama with an obsessed fascination that borders on lunacy.

By doing so, these "birthers" discredit the Republican Party, the conservative movement and much more. They need to drop it and move on.

Like that overpassionate coach of my past, they want to win at any cost. They make a mockery of some true objections with Obama by questioning his birthplace.

How absolutely silly!

In my dreams, that coach from so long ago regrets his childish behavior and the pathetic lesson he taught that day. I also dream that these lunatics obsessed with Obama's birth records someday rue their obsession.