Page 232 - harryDEC12_clean.iba

The atmosphere was electric, there was shouting everywhere, people waved their caps and the voices that came over the loudspeakers, where those of Radio Commentators, who new their stuff.
Baseball is an allegorical play about America, a poetic, complex, and subtle play of courage, fear, good luck, mistakes, patience about fate, and sober self-esteem.
said an American businessman by the name of Saul Steinberg. Well that was a poetic description of what was going on on the field but certainly true. I really had no clue about the rules, the art of pitching and the role of infielders, outfielders, batters or runners but to see the emotions running - people shouting or loosing their temper - the total atmosphere captivated me. Nor will I forget the wafting, mouth-watering smells of hot dogs and pretzels everybody seemed to be eating. I got the feeling that Baseball isn't all about winning, but enjoying the actual game...but it was very American and difficult to get into, when coming from a different world. But what I took home was, that it was distinctively more dramatic then Cricket, that I had watched many times in the UK and found utterly boring.
"So how did you like it?
Douglas asked me when we left the stadium.
"Great!"
Was my simple reply. And I meant what I said.
"Then let us get quickly to the subway, as hanging around her may get us in trouble - in a radius of 200 yards of the Stadium, you may get stabbed without a reason."
"Great"
I said again and we went to the subway station.
The ride home was anything else than agreeable. The coaches were packed with mainly black people, the air was thick and smelly and troublemakers were spotting subjects. There were armed guards however in every coach, which gave a level of comfort - or was it the opposite? I can't remember. Douglas however was not moved by any of this. No nervousness showed on him and he delivered me safely to the Hotel.
oOo
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