Cub Scout Kickball

Last week I had the pleasure of taxiing Eli to his monthly Cub Scout event. I heard that it was a picnic and kickball event. So, we dressed warm, cause the temperature was taking a dive and it was chilly and windy. We brought cookies to share. Little did I know what I was in for.

This was not a scouts vs. siblings event, or older vs. younger event, it was Kids vs. Grownups. Participation Mandatory. And that was the moment when I had to decide - will I be one of the 3 parents standing along the wall playing on their phones, or will I join the crowd in the outfield? I wasn't wearing my kickball shoes, but still, I felt I had no choice. Off I marched into the outfield. The kids lined up to take turns at bat/kick. We spread out and waited. What ensured was some hilarious adventuring. Most of the kids were 2nd grade and younger. Many of them didn't understand the basic idea of the game. And so the grownups shouted out instructions/coaching while also pretending to try to get the kids out. Mostly the grownups fumbled the ball, tossed it to a teammate but tossed it too far, ran after the ball laughing. We looked like bumbling clowns. The kids looked like they were having a great time at our expense.

Then, the grownups turn to bat. We kicked the ball, but not too far. Sometimes too far, and the entire mob of kids went chasing after it, like bees swarming to a single flower. When my turn came, I managed to get to first base safely, but at the next chance to run I had to swerve around a crowd of kids that came up only to my waist, trying to run without mowing down any innocent bystanders. "Where's second base??" I shouted - there was a mob of children all standing directly ON the base. Again with my run to third base, don't plow over the children, push the mob off the base so I could stand there safely, attempt to make it to home plate with children hanging on my arms and legs, and AREN'T THERE ANY RULES in this game? Where are the umpires? It's anarchy!

As the innings wore on, the grownups started complaining a little more frequently, a gradually louder. We're hungry, when can we eat? It's too cold out here, can we go inside soon? Three innings of kickball. Only three minor injuries (one kid it in the face with the ball, one kid run over by his dad, another dad fell on top of his daughter as she tried to stop his run). None of the kids cried for more than a couple minutes, so I'd say that was a success.

The whole thing was followed by hot dogs and s'mores. Another Scout Adventure under our belt.