What’s In A Bracket?

Some of my fondest memories as a young boy includes fishing with my dad and brothers, riding my bicycle, reading my comic books, playing baseball, walking in the rain, thunderstorms and listening to a baseball game on my transistor radio. Sometimes I could pick up a broadcast of a west coast game. I would tune in the radio and put it under my pillow. Though I was supposed to be sleeping, I would be secretly routing for all the players because I didn’t have favorites (except for Carl Yastrzemski).

Now, I said all that to say all this, “thanks a lot, March Madness.” Notice the hint of sarcasm in my words.   Thanks to the college basketball whatever tournaments, I can’t watch my regular programs on television and therefore, have no excuse not to take care of the work around the house that I’ve been putting off. Yep, I can’t use my favorite programs as an excuse for not getting the work done.

What am I supposed to say to my wife? “Oh Honey, I’ve suddenly developed an appreciation for basketball.” She’d just laugh because she knows me. I don’t like basketball and I especially don’t like college basketball. I would rather do chores around the house in pure silence (except my tinnitus) than to even have a game on in the background.

On the news, brackets; customers, brackets; in the store, brackets…brackets, brackets, brackets…aaaaahhhhhhh!

So, some of you women understand when you’re surrounded by sports of any kind that you don’t care for – well, I understand you’re disdain when it comes to college sports and tournaments and brackets.

You see, it just doesn’t interest me. Yep, that’s right. For those of you into all of this stuff, guess what? Not every guy is into it. I don’t do brackets. In fairness, I enjoy Major League Baseball and pro American football but I don’t do fantasy any of them; oh, and I don’t do NASCAR either but I am aware of a few of the drivers (duh, I live in North Carolina—can’t get away from it), more than knowing any basketball players or teams for that matter.

So, I may be polite and let you speak of your teams and players without interruption; I may ask you about your interest in baseball; but I will not (because I can’t) join in the conversation about colleges or their respective sports teams. I have learned from past experience, at least Duke fans will still talk to me when I say I’m not into it – UNC fans are another story. 😉

I can’t wait for April 5^th and the start of baseball season. Well, I can but it ain’t easy.

Jay 🙂