Pink Houses

I spent the weekend off in a Neverland of BBQ, beers and softball. I played in a beer-league softball game Saturday afternoon, followed by a fast pitch game with my team the “Black Sheep” this morning.

Saturday was an amazing display of American influence and ex-pat culture. I found myself playing 3rd, sniffing out my next burger over at the grill and the classic rock drifting from somewhere in the stands only reinforced this oasis of “middle America” in a Berlin suburb.

Everybody seems to be friends and there are some real characters. There’s even a team from the Taiwan embassy who’s captain is the actual ambassador. Another guy has got a world-class mullet and can’t stop cracking jokes. Worth mentioning was our umpire who was classic: moustache, sunglasses, and direct orders all made for efficient administration.

“You throw the bat, I call you out, you bring the bat with you, I call you out, I don’t give a damn, take a lead, I call you out, when I tell you to get to the fence, go! I don’t’ got all day out here.

Eventually little details reminded me where I was: “Two down” accented in German, Becks and Berliner Pilsner. That didn’t spoil my fun though. BBQ just happens to be the natural accompaniment to baseball no matter where you are.

Arriving back at the field Sunday We donned out black jerseys that have in red, in Japanese “Black Sheep War Machine” across the chest. My buddy David, another Fulbrighter, plays short for our opponents the Jolly Dodgers. He made some great digs during the day and wasn’t shy with the bat either.

I was surprised to be starting in Left since I’m new to the team. But as my buddy Mike from Canada (Mike #2) pointed out, you get extra points when you are from North America. Mike had actually just joined the team last Thursday when I invited him along after a class. He fit right in and did well hitting DH for the Sheep today. Going 2 for 4 with a handful of RBI’s I’m feeling pretty good although I had limited action in the field.

The day ending in victory, we hung out and took in the next came and chatted up some locals. I am loving it to enter a work week having played a little ball, got some sun. Now time to return home and squeeze in the last bit of free time before what should be one heck of a week.