“Suicide Squeeze: an existential crisis at third base”

[Dr. Richard Grossman]

Hi everybody,

With the encouragement of many here (thanks ann3, Hops, teartracks, sea storm, and Cadbury!) I finished my latest 10-minute play/tragicomedy entitled:  “Suicide Squeeze:  an existential crisis at third base”.  Here’s the description:

"It’s the ninth inning of the last game of “Philosopher First Baseman” Johnny Banner’s major league career, and Banner comes to bat. When he hits a triple and ends up 90 feet away from scoring the winning run, suddenly he’s overcome by the feeling: What’s next in my life? But nobody in the stadium seems to care. Well, almost nobody..."

and the link:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/441446

I know many don’t want to register at yet another web site (although this one is fairly painless), so if I can find another way of sharing it, I’ll let you know.  I’m afraid it is my voice, style, and disturbed thinking again, so I can understand why many won’t like it!  (Once again, given the similarities of our brains, my brother "loved it"!)  But if you do read it, please let me know what you think good and/or bad.  I’m always curious, and always trying to learn.

BTW, if you don’t know what a “suicide squeeze” is in baseball, here’s the Wikipedia description:

"In a suicide squeeze, the runner takes off as soon as the pitcher begins to throw the pitch, before releasing the ball. If properly executed, a play at home plate is extremely unlikely. However, if the batter fails to make contact with the pitch, the runner is likely to be put out at home plate (hence, "suicide"). Therefore, the suicide squeeze usually requires a skilled bunter who can make contact consistently, even on difficult pitches.

These plays are often used in the late innings of a close game in order to score an insurance, winning, or tying run."

For those who read it:  thank you so much!

Richard

[Dr. Richard Grossman]

Hi tt,

Thank you so much for reading the play.  I’m so glad you appreciated it!  There’s nothing better than to hear that a person you respect wants to read it again!

Richard

[Dr. Richard Grossman]

Hi everybody,

A dear Japanese friend just wrote me:  “I want to play the mother's role...sounds like some of Japanese mothers! (Thank goodness my mom isn't like them though.)”  It’s very interesting to me to hear who identifies more with the mother (the "rock") and who identifies more with the father (the "hardball").  In my case, it’s not even close:  the mother—although I certainly lack her public boldness/outspokenness.  But things are complicated:  When I was 5 and my brother 6 (approx.1960), my mother (also like the "rock") put my brother in ballet/dance school.  This was unheard of at that time, at least in our lower-middle-class neck of the woods.  Of course, he was the only boy—I would watch him at his recitals.  When he grew up, he joined the Israeli military—tanks, Gaza, the whole deal.  Is there a connection? LOL!

Thanks again to all for the read!

Richard

[lighter]

I finally got through my existential crisis of setting up the smashword aocount......

I had to make 3 attempts as my preferred usernames were already taken.

Interesting to find the story not really about baseball, and I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next.

Same experience for friend, with editing experience.  She started out not very interested in baseball, then, about the time the mom came onto the field, she(my friend) had her little paws on the computer, then her elbows raised, leaning in, then she was laughing and talking to herself, under her breath, reading faster and faster, then on to THE FINAL RESORT, and by this time she was just sure she recognized your name, and has read some of your other stuff in the New Yorker.

She adored both stories, and uses the words "funny, clever, and very well written," to describe them.

Really, doc......
a pleasure to read.

Lighter

[Dr. Richard Grossman]

Hi lighter,

I’m so glad “Suicide Squeeze” “worked” for both you and your friend!  And also that your friend liked “The Last Resort”!  Thank you both for reading them!  Funny:  I suppose both plays are “The New Yorker”-like humor—I grew up with the magazine in the house, and it’s currently the only magazine I subscribe to.  (As you might guess from "Suicide Squeeze", I cancelled my long-running subscription to Sports Illustrated years ago.)

Thanks again!

Richard

 

[lighter]

Satire.....

::nodding::....

good stuff.

::nodding::

Keep writing, Doc.

Lighter

[Dr. Richard Grossman]

From the New York Times article on Tony Gwynn's (Hall of Fame outfielder and one of the most decent men in professional baseball) untimely death:

"On the 64th birthday of his mother, Vendella, he collected his 3,000th hit, against the Expos in Montreal on Aug. 6, 1999. After he was hugged by teammates and even the first-base umpire, Kerwin Danley, his former teammate at San Diego State, his mother came onto the field and embraced him."

What?  His mother came onto the field during the ballgame and hugged him?  That never happens!  Not in Major League Baseball!

Richard

[Gaining Strength]

Love that!

[Dr. Richard Grossman]

Hi everybody,

Well, “Suicide Squeeze” made it to the finals in the Boston Theater Marathon (based upon public reviews), but unfortunately the judges didn’t pick it.  One possibility is that the play just has too many characters, so no New England theater company would choose to produce it (for free, of course).  Or else it wasn’t good/interesting/entertaining enough.  I wrote and submitted a second play at the last moment and submitted that one too because I was concerned about the number of characters in “Suicide Squeeze.”  It is a play based on a similar mother/son theme—and was, I thought, a bit short for the Marathon.  Interestingly, that one made it to the finals as well (I wasn’t expecting that), but also was not chosen.  So, I continue to be a “one hit wonder.”

Interestingly, I rated a couple packets of plays (10 per packet) last season as part of the public judging.  The play I liked best in the packets--by far--was not selected by the professional judges.  And one of the one's I rated the lowest was selected.  Sit-coms are in, apparently, and plays of character and subtext are out.  Given that, I chose not to rate plays this year because I felt it wouldn't be fair to the playwrights whose work I judged, since it is obvious (just ask my wife) I live in a different universe.

Well, as Brooklyn Dodger fans used to say:  “Wait ‘til next year!” 

Richard

[lighter]

Congrats on getting to the finals, Doc.

Sorry you didn't win this year.

Lighter

[Hopalong]

Keep writing for the joy of it and submit all you like!
Release the outcome and you'll be fine.

GOOD for you for taking the risk.

Hops

[Dr. Richard Grossman]

Thanks, Lighter and Hops!

I appreciate the encouragement and well wishes!

Richard

P.S.  I probably should have added that the director of the Boston Theater Marathon, Kate Snodgrass, also handwrote an encouraging note (which I also appreciated) on the "rejection" letter:  "Very nice writing, Richard."

[lighter]

Did the comment feel like a comforting pat on the head, or something else?

Lighter

[Dr. Richard Grossman]

Hi lighter,

I'm glad she wrote--but because the comment was so non-specific, it's hard to know how significant it was or even what she meant.  But over 400 plays are submitted each year, and Kate can't cater to the needs of every disappointed author.  I'm very much appreciative of all the work she, her colleagues, and her staff at Boston University do to put on such an event.  Because Hildy (my wife) organizes two big events for Upstage Lung Cancer each year, I have an inkling what it's like (I'm always listed in the program as "patient husband"    ).

Richard