Yeah, that title's a real stretch. Sorry. It's real cloudy and rainy out. Dark as anything. So that just makes it real tough to come up with something punny and witty and clever. If it helps, I'm off to see the new "Harry Potter" flick tonight, so that's also distracting me. Hmm... Sports Authority... sports. Sporting goods. Oh, here's a good sports-related anecdote...

It's a beautiful sunny day. I'm back at Elementary School, probably around 2nd or 3rd grade. It's a Saturday and I'm at my school for a little league practice. It also just so happens that there's a "fair" going on that day at the school. So while we're all running around the bases, throwing balls in the wrong direction and swinging wildly with large pieces of wood, off in the distance can be heard the shrieks, screams and laughter of children enjoying rides, games, cotton candy and assorted hoopla. Yes, I said hoopla. Anyways, my whole family was there that day. My mom and older sis were off enjoying the festivities, while my dad (and several other proud poppas) were enjoying just hanging around the practice watching us try to learn the fine art of baseball.

Now I'm not the most athletic person out there, but I'm not a total klutz either. So it was my turn at bat. I doubt I ever hit the dang ball and if so most likely a little dribbler back to the pitcher. So since it's practice, and I'm up at the plate and the coach was short-handed that day, he asked if any dads would help out. My dad jumped at the chance to play catcher behind the plate. But for some reason, dear ol' dad didn't bother putting on the catcher's mask. Or maybe it was too small. I honestly don't remember. All I remember is the pitch coming... me swinging... the KRACK of the bat.. followed by yet another KRACK and yelp of pain... You see, apparently I foul-tipped the ball straight back into my father's nose. Do you know how much blood comes pouring out of someone's nose when it's busted open by a baseball? Yeah I didn't either. But it's a lot, trust me. So somehow my mom found out, came over and took my dad to the hospital while a neighbor watched my sister and I. I think I actually finished practice even, though I was beyond freaked out that I somehow "broke my dad." They came back later with my dad's nose totally bandaged up. Yeah, he broke it but he thanked me later, because he always had really bad sinuses, so I think after it healed, his breathing actually improved a bit. Heh.

So the moral of this story is... always wear a catcher's mask when you're around your kids. That goes double if they're playing baseball.

And today's anecdote is sponsored by the Sports Authority who have a sweet coupon offer good through this weekend:

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