Today was my last day of work at The NonProfit Times. After more than nine years I'm moving on. I have greatly appreciated the opportunities that have come my way, and I'm looking forward the new ones ahead at Philanthropy News Digest.
For those I've worked with -- thank you for your kindness. You will be missed and I will not be a stranger.
Friday, July 08, 2005
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Chapter 38.15: Not Too Surprising
Why does this not surprise me? It's being reported that Karl Rove was identified as the source of the leak that led to Valerie Plame's cover being blown. The point is being disputed, of course, and I'm in no position to state emphatically that Rove did it. But why is it not surprising that he's involved at any level? This guy is a brilliant political operative, who appears to be hell bent on dealing with anyone who tries to cross his leader, President George W. Bush. Rove is one dangerous man. I wouldn't trust that man to hold a state secret if he thought revealing it would help his candidate/president. Now, good reporters are facing jail (Judy Miller's already incarcerated) and further court dealings because of his manipulation. He appears to have used their loyalty to liberty and freedom to not only his advantage but their disadvantage. If it's true that Rove leaked this information, I hope he's jailed for a long time. The full extent of the law should apply to him.
Chapter 38.1: Prayers and Hope
My thoughts and prayers go to those innocents injured and killed in the diabolic attacks in London this morning. What savagery mankind can inflict on its own kind knows no bounds.
Though reports are still coming in, it seems obvious that the London attacks were conducted by trained terrorists intent on killing and maiming as many as possible. Those lives must not be tossed away in vain.
Though reports are still coming in, it seems obvious that the London attacks were conducted by trained terrorists intent on killing and maiming as many as possible. Those lives must not be tossed away in vain.
Chapter 38: Catching Up
My legs are sore this morning. For the first time in more than a year I caught a game. In fact, I think it’s the first time I’ve caught an entire game for about five years – and those games were slow pitch softball.
Last night I was catching in the Springfield modified league. Ron Bern, who is a world-class softball pitcher and has literally won the world championship in men’s professional softball (not Olympics) is our pitcher and has as much movement as anyone I’ve caught. And I’ve caught guys who later went on to pitch in the Major Leagues.
The game was excellent, though we lost 3-2 in eight innings. After getting used to how Ron pitches, he and I got into a decent groove. Within a few innings I was able to start getting into the umpire’s head about the advantages the opposing batters were trying to take on my pitcher. Ron throws a lot of rising pitches, so batters try to move up on the plate against him. They were up in the batter’s box – too far in my opinion. I quietly mentioned that to the umpire and let him enforce the rules. More than anything, it got into the batters’ heads and anything that distracts them from their job of hitting works for us.
My own batting wasn’t too strong. I went 1-3 with a single up the middle. I got called out on strikes my first at bat on what I believe was an inside pitch. It caused me to jack-knife backward, but I was sent to put my gear back on.
In the final inning they scored a run on a play that ended with me tagging another runner out at the plate. That felt good. I can’t remember when I’ve last had a close play at the plate as a catcher. It might be all the way back in high school.
Now that I’ve woken up with sore legs, I recall why I love catching. It’s not the soreness or pain, of course, it’s the feeling that I contributed more than I can anywhere else on the field. Even pitchers can’t contribute quite the way a catcher can, though I’d be happy to debate that. A play at the plate, batters walking away confused about the batter’s box. A single up the middle. If only we had won, it would have been a really good night.
Last night I was catching in the Springfield modified league. Ron Bern, who is a world-class softball pitcher and has literally won the world championship in men’s professional softball (not Olympics) is our pitcher and has as much movement as anyone I’ve caught. And I’ve caught guys who later went on to pitch in the Major Leagues.
The game was excellent, though we lost 3-2 in eight innings. After getting used to how Ron pitches, he and I got into a decent groove. Within a few innings I was able to start getting into the umpire’s head about the advantages the opposing batters were trying to take on my pitcher. Ron throws a lot of rising pitches, so batters try to move up on the plate against him. They were up in the batter’s box – too far in my opinion. I quietly mentioned that to the umpire and let him enforce the rules. More than anything, it got into the batters’ heads and anything that distracts them from their job of hitting works for us.
My own batting wasn’t too strong. I went 1-3 with a single up the middle. I got called out on strikes my first at bat on what I believe was an inside pitch. It caused me to jack-knife backward, but I was sent to put my gear back on.
In the final inning they scored a run on a play that ended with me tagging another runner out at the plate. That felt good. I can’t remember when I’ve last had a close play at the plate as a catcher. It might be all the way back in high school.
Now that I’ve woken up with sore legs, I recall why I love catching. It’s not the soreness or pain, of course, it’s the feeling that I contributed more than I can anywhere else on the field. Even pitchers can’t contribute quite the way a catcher can, though I’d be happy to debate that. A play at the plate, batters walking away confused about the batter’s box. A single up the middle. If only we had won, it would have been a really good night.
Monday, July 04, 2005
Chapter 37.9: Just What Was Needed
I thoroughly enjoyed this holiday weekend. Between trips to the shore, softball games, picnics, and the obligatory fireworks show, I found time to simply relax. I haven't done that for far too long. I still have much to do, and not much time before deadlines hit me. But I hope to look back on this past weekend and say "That was a great Independence Day."
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