Soggy Blogger: Rain Delays, Provisional Plays

All wet: The field of play, that is, while most of you sports fans, the true loyalty of which can be measured in part by just how long you are willing to "wait this one out" sometimes waiting for the very last out even when your team is ahead or behind by what's mercifully in Little Leagues provided for in a "Mercy Ruling"...Or, in the case of a so-called "rain delay" or otherwise inclement weather, the latter of  which has come to include thunder and lightning, which brings yet another set of broad-casters into the booth, action (or lack thereof)...

Provisional Pastime Postponements: What many outdoor stadiums allow you to bring in to minimize your exposure (BTW in our hometown the baseball stadium is almost totally exposed to the elements, which can combine to post-pone, if not completely cancel the event -- in which case you are charitably provided a "rain check" -- which may cause a degree of inconvenience if it's rescheduled on another work day for you...whereas our football stadium finds the team that playing on what looks and almost feels like the living room carpet...(in) complete with grass stains. Allowing them to be oblivious to the so-called 'elements" which may include strong winds, snowy conditions, that could curb travel elsewhere but not cancel the game itself). Curious conditions, eh? The former allowance frequently includes a so-called "slicker" or even in some cases, an umbrella, which has to be stowed when the "current conditions no longer prevail" (obstructed view!)...

Sizing up: When the umbrellas go up, one of the ways to pass the time, is to view the "management team" itself. While I was enduring this rain delay on your behalf (while it may have to a complete standstill on the field of play, you did not think your host would sit idly by, right?), I got reminded that in the case of baseball, at least, the manager, by virtue of taking on more roles, "carries a larger umbrella" -- that is, if they ever bother to venture out of the dugout, under such conditions. While the "coaches" can be spotted, at least when their team is "at bat"...in a relatively confined space, adjacent to either first or third base, but not behind second nor crowding what's an already well occupied space, known to us all as "home plate". Perhaps you will now consider making this space your home page, at least until..."no further delays..."