Sportsmanship in an "All About Me" World

I do a lot of work for free in this “all about me” world, including close to 200 hours per year to youth field hockey.  I continue to be shocked and amazed *but not awed* by adults who seem to feel that they are somehow….different, special, better…

The Setting: A  community-use sports complex in Northern Virginia, with two artificial turf fields surrounded by several grass fields. Sunday evening. 6PM.  Field is marked for field hockey with cones. Football goalposts hold the testosterone at the ends of the field.  Field use permits are in place for our program.

Activity: Controlled chaos. Four local youth programs with teams for 3^rd-6^th graders, primarily girls. Approximately 132 girls on one sports turf field, divided crosswise into four playing fields. Game play is signaled by horns; whistles are used on the field.  18 minute games start every 20 minutes.

The Scene: On any given night there are conflicts between parents who know better than the coaches, folks who bring their dogs despite the fact they are not allowed on the fields (hey, there’s a dog park 100 yards away at the other end of the park), and commonly adult male groups who try to get on the fields before their allotted time.

On this night, just prior to the initial game, in the midst of set up, a small group of men is asked to vacate the field, where they have been playing football. There’s something about the exchange that reminds me of the insolence of high school boys.

Game play ensues.

In the two minute break between Games 3 and 4, the football cluster is back on Field 4. Our field hockey teams are in position and the horn is blown to start Game 4.

The football group continues to kick field goals. Game play is held up due to their presence on the field.

As the commissioner, I walk across the damn field. All 5’1” of me in full, threatening body language, wearing my official sweatshirt.

Me: “You need to get off the field.”

Robust, bald headed guy, Caucasian male, no language issues: “We’re just getting in another kick.”

Me: “Get off the field…do you have a daughter in this program?”

Guy: “My girlfriend’s kid is here….who do you think you are?”

(Thinking: my name is on my official sweatshirt…)

I point to a soccer game on a nearby field: “If you wouldn’t be on that field right now, you shouldn’t be on this field!”

“Lady, you need to get a life!”

“I have a pretty full life. Get OFF the field!”

“Lady, there’s people dying of cancer….”

“If you’ve got cancer, I’m sorry for you, but get OFF THE FIELD!”

So he trounced back to the bleachers and sat in the middle of a cluster of women where he could be heard complaining about me.

But we’re not done. 

Game 5. Two males from the pregame football group, associates of the problem guy, are on Field 2 – DURING game play. They look like a dad and son, throwing and catching a ball, on the field, mid-play during a field hockey game! Again, wearing my official sweatshirt, imposing physical presence, and Commissioner-Mom body language, I walked onto the field and signaled them off.

How can there be 130+ kids on ONE field for a program, with adults/parents who think that they can also be on the field with their other children? I don’t think they’d do it at soccer games, but it’s OK at field hockey? Instead of teaching the kids courtesy and sportsmanship, is this how you teach kids to “get theirs” no matter the impact?

I’m pretty sure these football problem parents belong to the other clubs. If they belong to this one, they may have a permanent position  -- on the waiting list.

Knitted Along the Way, AKA Field Hockey Knits

I don't dare count how many miles we put on the MDX with trips to Boston, Delaware (Vs. UNC), Colgate (Hamilton), Bucknell (Lewisburg), Lafayette (Easton x 7), American U (DC), and Ohio University (Athens).

Another way to measure the time was with the pairs of mittens knit along the way.

Confetti Fingerless Mittens, inspired by Fetching

These are knit flat and then seamed. There are three cable twists (CT) near the wrist and three more near the fingers.

The yarn combinations are a basic (Patons Merino Wool or Brown Sheep Nature Spun Worsted) and a fingering/sock (Koigu KPPPM or Claudia Handpainted Fingering Yarn).

Gauge: 4 to 4.25 sts per inch.

Needles: size 6 or 7, 16-in circular (handy to knit flat) and double points.

Notions: stitch markers, stitch holders, blunt needle

Cable Cast On 33 with cable cast on (counts as row 1)

Row 2 ( Wrong side row):

P6 K1 P4 K1 P4 K1 P4 K1 P4 K1 P6

This establishes the ribbing pattern.

Rows 3&4 in pattern
Row 5 begin cable twist

Cable twist (CT): knit into second stitch on left needle, then without removing, knit into first stitch on left needle. Slide to right needle.

Knit 3 CT in stitches 4 and 5, P1, then in each group of four knits:
k1 CT K1

Then in last group of six: K1 CT K3

Continue next three rows in non-cable pattern.

On the next right side row follow CT pattern again.

Continue in this established pattern until three Cable Twist rows are completed.

Follow in pattern with wrong side row.

On right side place markers before and after the center 5 stitches.

Continue in pattern to the first marker, move marker to right needle, Make 1 stitch. Continue in pattern. Before the next marker Make 1, move marker, continue.

Continue to make increases on right side rows until there are 15 stitches between the markers.

On next right side row, place center 9 sts on a holder.

In pattern knit to stitch holder. Increase one stitch, knit across gap knit 1 increase 1, and continue across.

Follow in pattern with wrong side row.

Establish CT pattern again and continue until 3 Cable Twist rows are complete finishing with wrong side row.

On RS row, bind off.

Thumb:

Move thumb stitches from holder onto double pointed needles. Join yarn on open side, pick up two sts. Continue across thumb, pick up two sts and work in the round for 4-5 rows until length desired. Bind off.

Finishing: Neatly fasten off thumb yarn, Seam the mitten. Repeat with second mitten!


(c) Luanne O'Loughlin, 2011

You can request the PDF here.

A Championship Season

A year has passed since the last posting, but what a year it has been. The talented girls, last seen in blazing hot pink, returned this fall to capture the Patriot League title. Photos from Boston, Colgate (Hamilton), snowy Easton, and the Championship at American University in Washington DC.

Oh dear, time warp!

It has been a stunningly long time since my last post. We've crossed several thresholds of time -- the lacrosse season, a party with our field hockey friends, prom, high school graduation, 6th grade promotion, Katie's 12th birthday, a trip to Rome (more on that later), and summer camps!

Books: Just finished Sarah Dunant's Sacred Hearts, set in a convent in Ferrera, Italy, in the Middle Ages. Loved it.

College Bound -- Field Hockey Stick in Hand!

Carly is three for three on the college apps. When the first acceptance came, Tom laughed and said, "she's going to college." The first was nice, the second was nice, the third was the Big Thrill. It was the Early Decision Acceptance, and therefore binding.

On Thursday, December 3rd, I was the first one home, and I got the mail. There was a slightly thick envelope wth 61-cents postage. Postmarked December 1st. I probably haven't been so excited since I received my own acceptance letter. (OK, I'll fess up, I was excited about positive pregnancy tests ~ so this is the outcome?)

So, while on the phone with Tom, we had to wait for Carly to get home from school so she could open the letter. In the mean time, I held it to the light, flexed it a bit, and agitatedly waited.

So, she opened the letter and pulled out a sticker, then the acceptance letter, and then the deposit form. Lafayette generously sent a sticker for the car, which is, in effect, something like the very first tuition discount. Maybe.

Before the evening was out, Carly pulled out my checkbook, wrote the deposit check, and held it out for me to sign. I think she's excited!

Another milestone: Carly's Capitol Pegasus coach, Lloyd Conyers, has a tradition of announcing field hockey commitments. We've all see these milestones announced for others and it was a thrill to read Lloyd's email announcement on Monday, December 7th.

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Out of chronological order...

We spent most of Thanksgiving week in Palm Springs again. "Festival" is quite spectacular. It was truly the last of the uncommitted recruiting showcases for Carly. In her mind, she was already a Leopard, but we were there for great games and any other opportunities that might be needed and wanted. Tidewater Flash played well and they were coached by a very enthusiastic coach (thanks, Bill!). We had fun catching up with our CPeg Parent-friends, and will always have memories of those "Northern Virginia Girls": Carly, Kelsey, Kayleigh, Kim, Melanie, and Meghan.

Seniors -- High School Field Hockey Final Events

Just a couple of pictures from Senior Night and the end of the season Awards Ceremony. I particularly love the cake photo with Kelsey, Kelly, Becca, and Carly. Kelsey, Kelly, and Carly have played sports together since third or fourth grade, I think! In the other photo, Katie and Campbell award Carly with gag gifts including the crown. Most notably, they said she always had the scoop on their opponents.

Homecoming and Field Hockey

Just enough time to upload a couple of photos of Carly and Carlo -- and Carly and Carolyn. (Why are all the names so similar?) Carlo is obviously the Boyfriend, and Carolyn is a good friend from Club Field Hockey. They play against each other on high school teams.

Home Again: Field Hockey Summer

For the last two months, it seems that the suitcases have not left our bedrooms. Each time we returned, the next trip was imminent. Until now. We’re home. And, we actually have no hotel reservations until November. But I might make some today. Since March, there have been 17 room-nights and only two were booked on Priceline.

One simmering thought is of the conditions encountered at the Mostly Marriott hotels along the way:

Best Western near Harrisburg and Hershey Park: Although we booked using the Girl Scout rate, they seemed surprised that we actually wanted seven sets of towels in a suite for seven! At the front desk, I was informed that our four sets were enough. (Does this speak to a shortage of towels or poor training for employees?). There's a reason we don't stay at Best Western very often.

Marriott Town Place Suites, Chesapeake VA. Although it is a Marriott property, this property gave us daily quandaries from exceedingly polite employees. A two-bedroom suite did not have enough towels for four people. We requested a sufficient quantity, but they were not replaced on the next room change. Same for the shampoos. If the cleaning staff removes empty shampoo bottles, shouldn’t they be replaced? But I am being petty. Perhaps the A/C unit with the deep BASS (like a booming car in traffic) could be serviced? Alas, the real highlight: the stunning CAR FIRE in the parking lot that did significant damage to the car across the way.

Great Wolf Lodge, Williamsburg, VA: You can’t beat the size of the rooms at this indoor water park resort, but out first floor room was a bit damp and dark – and let’s face it, we had no cell service unless we walked into the parking lot. We weren’t exactly hiking the Appalachian Trail with the Governor of South Carolina, and we desired electronic connections.

Marriott Courtyard, Bethlehem, PA: It was our second stay at this property since March. The first stay was perfect. This time: not so perfect. Someone had “an accident” in the pool, so we were also restricted from using the hot tub. (Um, why?) Then at 11:00 PM, I pulled back the sheets – on the new all-white bedding that is so popular, and found coffee stains on the comforter. (I hope?) So, at that hour, I re-dressed so that I could await delivery of new bedding.

Hampton Inn & Suites, Vestal, NY: We’ve stayed here every-other-year for the past dozen years. It’s our Family Reunion hotel. At each stay the clan takes at least 15 rooms and suites. It’s a great set up and we all look forward to it. The food offerings were a bit more “budget” this time. The TVs have been replaced with flat models and new window coverings adorn the windows. (Please fill the holes in the wall from the former electronics and window treatments?!?) The kitchen table was “set” albeit with a dirty napkin encrusted with some food substance.

A note on Priceline: We’ve had three Priceline nights this year. The first landed a nice Courtyard in the suburbs of Philadelphia. The second, a Doubletree in Wilmington DE, and the third, an Extended Stay America (right before their financial troubles made the news). The first two were successful stays, and the last, was not so good. Actually, it was bad enough that we won’t Priceline again in that zone for fear of getting that property again!

Notes from a Former Early Adopter

Last week, Linda reminded me that it’s been quite some time since this blog has been updated. In the closing month of school I found myself involved in the coordination of or attendance at -- an import of Italian extra virgin olive oil (eight labels from seven producers) for Olio2go, a girls lacrosse team that went to the state finals, a Girl Scout trip to HersheyPark, a significant field hockey event known as College Connection, a Care Calendar for another family, a soccer tournament, end of season, and the preparation for the next soccer season, a birthday party, and an unfinished task of trying to get an elementary school bus stop off a 55 mph divided highway. (Does that meet the test of a sane adult?)

In the midst of all of this, on June 12, the Digital TV signal conversion took place. We knew it was coming (even in February) but never made it a priority. We’re really not in the dark. There are two other TVs and a computer running the Microsoft Media package—all on cable. It’s just the bedroom TV that lost the signal previously perceived by cute rabbit ears. Call me nostalgic, but this is the TV that carried me through months of pregnancy bedrest with just five channels. To think, I was once an early adopter.

As I now listen to the radio in the morning, I’m enjoying the fresh chatter. No longer the Barbara Harrison (NBC4) variety. WMAL doesn’t bring forth the same bleak daily intensity of shootings.

Perhaps by fall when the mornings are darker and the school schedules have returned, we’ll have a resolution on the TV. Black, silver, or white. Flat screen. Wall mount or stand. Cable or not.

Field Hockey at Disney Showcase

Once more the Disney machine has shown they know how to run a venue! The Wide World of Sports complex is phenomenal and it hosted the Field Hockey Showcase on 6-8 February. (While we were there, Disney was also hosting a far different event: the national cheerleading championships. Cheerleaders and Field Hockey players demonstrated just how different they are). Here are a few shots of our Capitol Pegasus U19 team.

As Anne Marie took hundreds of photos, I shot only a few, as I know she'll share her shots with all of us.

We hope that Anne Marie is working on the companion piece, How Field Hockey Players Are Different from Cheerleaders:

#1: Field Hockey Players do not dress alike when out of Uniform.

#2: Field Hockey Players do not wear matching hair ribbons. They might wear sinister bandanas.

Thanksgiving Revisited

We're well on our way to Christmas as I post this photo from Thanksgiving. If it doesn't look like Thankgiving to you, it is one that we will always remember.

This photo of Capitol Pegasus U16 was taken at the polo grounds in Indio, California (near Palm Springs), where the U.S. Field Hockey Festival was held!

All the great things we'd heard about Festival were true! We just didn't know the trip would also include an ER visit on Thanksgiving!

We greatly enjoyed our travels with this great group of girls and their parents.

Ski, Knit, Read.....Eat, Pray, Love?

The girls had a long weekend and it was filled with activities. Tubing at Liberty, Futsol in Alexandria, Field Hockey in Rockville, and Skiing at Bryce.

My 30th High School Reunion is coming up and I'm having fun trying to locate folks. It was great to find Gary Umholtz -- because he has an easy name to Google!

The knitting projects haven't changed. I'm not sure if the red vest will be the right size, but I'm going to knit a couple more inches before making the final decision. Right now, the red scarf is the most satisfying because there's no fit issue, and it seems I will have just the right amount of yarn. It's a great stitch pattern and the yarn is Classic Elite's Wool Bam Boo. It's a perfect red, a Talbots blue-red.

Current reads have included Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love (I really wanted to know more about her first husband! Where is his blog?) and Adriana Trigiani's Queen of the Big Time (I cried buckets at the end). I'm now reading a book of Katie's: The Diary of Melanie Martin or how I survived Matt the Brat, Michelangelo and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Such fun--and child-like irreverence!

Field Hockey Fun

Field Hockey season has begun and the challenge is in how to prepare at least a decent dinner with games encompassing the 4:00-7:00 time period. For the first challenge, I used the oven timer and a roasting pan!

Italian (turkey) sausage, onions, peppers, and garlic, were placed in the roasting pan and drizzled with Merlano Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I set the oven timer to begin a half hour after we left the house and to roast at 325F for 1 hour and 20 minutes. Upon return, we sliced heirloom tomatoes and added a splash of Olio2go's Merlano and Goccia Umbra Balsamic Vinegar (not from Olio2go) -- along with a few tiny ball of fresh mozzarella. With a good loaf of bread, it was a nice dinner to come home to after sitting through a foggy and drizzly game.

Carly was voted as one of the team's three Captains. I'm also coordinating the Sports Booster side of the team's activities.

Now reading: Vivaldi's Virgins and it is highly recommended. I just wish I knew where in Venice the Ospedale della Pietà is located!