Second Best in Show...
My first year in Little League was terrible. I was smaller than anyone else in the league, slow, uncoordinated, and not well-liked. I also had a coach that was more focused on his connection with his son, who played first base, post-divorce. I went 0-15 that season, with a couple walks and collected a HBP. My team was terrible as well.
This is how I felt entering my first dog show with Bison. I felt unprepared for the game, poorly coached, and stuck in the outfield.We left the house a little after 6:00 am to get ready for the ring at 9:00 am. He was bathed and groomed the night before, but was incredibly curly still. But we looked the part at least. I had the show lead, the grooming supplies, an apron, and I was wearing a tie. I groom and condition him until he's less curly. I walk him around to burn off energy, and ward off boredom. I happen upon fellow Berner groomers, and get advice on what shampoo to use to get him less curly.
Amy went off to buy the catalog for the show — it's something to see your name in a scorecard.8:45 am rolls around, and I pick up my armband at the stewards table, stating "#12 Bernese Mountain Dog, Southwind TME Purple Majesty." We have to wait for the Boxers to go first at 9:00 am, so the Berner folk stand around talking. At 9:00 am, the Star Spangled Banner is sung to open the proceedings. Nicely renditioned, but all the dogs howling backup (on key most of them) is just too funny. Play Ball!
The Boxers go in, I feel like we are playing in the second game of the day on the field. At 9:30, my number #12 is called, and I enter the ring with two other dogs. I've met the #11
dog that morning, and I met the #13 dog six weeks ago at a meeting. He's the one I know will win the class.We stack our dogs for inspection, and watch the #11 get the close attention. Up and back, to the end of the line. Our turn. Bison allows the inspection, but is a little fidgetdy. We go up and back nicely, and around nicely. Cash, #13, does the same, but doesn't fidget, trots beautifully. Judge says "Reverse order of how you are standing." I happily pick up my second place ribbon and go to ringside. He gives us non-winners a little bit of helpful advice.
I half watch the competition, talk with my wife at my surprise of him beating another dog. Other dogs go in and out of the ring, and suddenly people are calling me to go back in.Panicked, I have a hard time getting his show lead back on, but I get back into the ring. (Later, it's explained to me that because Cash, who won our class, also beat all the other regular class males, that Bison was called back into to face all the dogs Cash just beat for Reserve Winners Dog — basically determining who the second best male in the regular classes).
We join the end of the line behind the two other dogs already there (the puppies go at the end in these situations) and set up. The judge is much more thorough this time, and we chat a little bit more. Same routine as before,
except he comes down the line twice and touches each dog on the shoulder. Up and back on our turn, lovely. Since we are last in line, after we return, we all go around the ring.The judge looks at me and says "Sir, it's yours."
It's mine? We go over to the judges table, and get a nice purple and white ribbon signifying he received "Reserve Winners Dog". He gives a little more advice to me.
Everyone comes up and congratulates us on this accomplishment.On Sunday, Bison was a disaster. E-Handler. E-Dog. Booted both ends of a double play and got third in our class.
The one play I remember best from my first season of Little League was against my friend Brian Blair's team...
In the last inning, we were actually winning with two outs. I was somehow in Left Field. Someone hit the ball to me and I ran in (too far) and had to jump up to barely make the catch on the fly. My buddy Brian reached me to hug me before any of my teammates bothered to make any notice. There was my first real taste of victory, and I liked it.
The rest of the season was a disaster, and I decided to play soccer the next season. I returned to baseball and played very well as a 12 year old, and even better in 13-year old league.
I anticipate losing a lot with Bison in our first "season", but we will be going back. We have that first taste of victory... and who knows, some day we'll get to play against the girls...
File last modified March 01, 2004
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