In Junior High we used to play softball for gym class. Since there were only 2 softball diamonds, there used to be 12 to 15 players per team. It was amazing that any player was able to get a hit.
The few times I was forced into “playing” baseball, I always just took left field. Deeeeep left field. Then when nobody was watching I walked away. It actually worked out pretty well: Nobody wanted me to play on their team, so I ended up just sitting out. Win win.
I was a terrible fielder. But once I actually caught a ball, throwing up my hand to keep it from hitting me in the nose. So I got put in center field, at least till they figured out their mistake. Then I was “hidden” in right field.
Notice that Coach Lockjaw isn’t interested in seeing how skilled (or skill-less) Calvin is. He just assumes that Calvin’s another Babe Ruth and throws him onto the field.
I grew up playing cricket. Baseball has unimaginative names for fielding positions, except for shortstop. Cricket has fielding positions named slips, cover, long leg, short leg, silly mid off, and silly mid on. Seriously. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fielding_(cricket)#/media/File:Cricketfieldingpositions.jpg
You know, for a kid with a dad that likes and knows sports, you would think that he watched more than one baseball game. I didn’t even like baseball, but I grew up and saw it on the televison. And when my sons were little, I played catch with them.
I played right field (yeah i was that bad). It wasn’t all my fault, i actually could catch OK, but I was always surrounded by all-star wannabes who liked to hog the ball (if there is such a thing in baseball). You know, the kids who would go for the fly even after you had already called for it? Which led to me letting down my guard out of boredom on a couple occasions, and watching passing aircraft (for instance), until suddenly my name would get called because our Junior A-Rod had misjudged the ball and it went sailing over his head. Naturally, I’d miss the catch too, but I’d be the one who got the blame for blowing the play. It was annoying. It wouldn’t have been so bad if I could hit, but I was a lefty you see, and young pitchers seem to have a hard time pitching to southpaws. I got on base due to walks and beanballs more times than I can count. I remember getting one hit (the guy floated it right over the plate, maybe out of pity) and I shocked him by actually connecting!
TL;DR I feel for poor Calvin on this one. He brings a lot of crap on himself, but let’s face it: youth sports are a jungle.
Left field is behind third base, not a good position for a beginner because more fly balls go there since the majority of batters are right handed. Also note that Calvin has JUST shown this coach that he has NO IDEA how the game works, and his solution is to just try and stick him out of the way instead of taking 5 minutes to explain the basic rule set (again, he is SIX, he isn’t old enough to know “common sense” stuff like sports rules. Heck when I was 6 I wasn’t even totally sure how TV schedules worked.)
BE THIS GUY over 4 years ago
In Junior High we used to play softball for gym class. Since there were only 2 softball diamonds, there used to be 12 to 15 players per team. It was amazing that any player was able to get a hit.
Templo S.U.D. over 4 years ago
the field reminds me a little of this Jim Varney (1949-2000) skit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUFT6Zum-UA
SHIVA over 4 years ago
Looks like his notoriety has preceded him!!
The Calvinosaurus That Calvin Wanted To Discover over 4 years ago
Wormwood, Spittle, and Lockjaw. This school has some weird teacher last names.
codycab over 4 years ago
Too deep, even for Calvin.
Concretionist over 4 years ago
The few times I was forced into “playing” baseball, I always just took left field. Deeeeep left field. Then when nobody was watching I walked away. It actually worked out pretty well: Nobody wanted me to play on their team, so I ended up just sitting out. Win win.
rshive over 4 years ago
I was a terrible fielder. But once I actually caught a ball, throwing up my hand to keep it from hitting me in the nose. So I got put in center field, at least till they figured out their mistake. Then I was “hidden” in right field.
rentier over 4 years ago
Best place, Calvin! You can rest in nature!!
Baarorso over 4 years ago
Notice that Coach Lockjaw isn’t interested in seeing how skilled (or skill-less) Calvin is. He just assumes that Calvin’s another Babe Ruth and throws him onto the field.
orinoco womble over 4 years ago
Stay deep Calvin and you won’t have to play, which is what you wanted.
Troglodyte over 4 years ago
Calvin’s teachers certainly have the best surnames: Ms. Wormwood, Mr. Lockjaw… :D
BigDaveGlass over 4 years ago
Mr. Lockjaw isn’t daft…
comixbomix over 4 years ago
Calvin gets his wish – he’s now left out…
jmworacle over 4 years ago
Hmm, don’t they place the weaker players in right field?
Painted Wolf over 4 years ago
I grew up playing cricket. Baseball has unimaginative names for fielding positions, except for shortstop. Cricket has fielding positions named slips, cover, long leg, short leg, silly mid off, and silly mid on. Seriously. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fielding_(cricket)#/media/File:Cricketfieldingpositions.jpg
jpayne4040 over 4 years ago
I think you need to go a little bit further left, Calvin! /s
tripwire45 over 4 years ago
This actually works for Calvin since he’s alone, plus the ball can’t possibly reach him way out there.
YippiKiAyMofo over 4 years ago
I also played that deep…but out in right field….waaaaaay out in right field. Like…in a different zipcode.
verticallychallenged Premium Member over 4 years ago
Bonus: you won’t hear them calling you back in from recess, Calvin.
joshuamarkwakefield over 4 years ago
I’m just saying, but how the hell does go comics have access to all of bill watersons comics, and can give them out for free?
A Hip loving Canadian... over 4 years ago
Far enough, now lay down and have a nice nap. See, baseball isn’t so bad after all.
Oarsman over 4 years ago
My daughter mispronounced a teacher’s name: Armbruster became Arm Buster.
kab2rb over 4 years ago
I go far away too. I totally despised baseball.
dflak over 4 years ago
Better to play left field than left out.
Doctor Go over 4 years ago
Been there, done that. :(
stamps over 4 years ago
That’s what I did during gym class in grade school – hid in the woods.
billdaviswords over 4 years ago
Where would that coach be sitting that his thumb would be pointing to left field?
smorbie the great and beautiful over 4 years ago
I always played waaaay deep, roving right field. The only way a ball came my way was if….well, it never happened.
serial232 over 4 years ago
You know, for a kid with a dad that likes and knows sports, you would think that he watched more than one baseball game. I didn’t even like baseball, but I grew up and saw it on the televison. And when my sons were little, I played catch with them.
Geezer over 4 years ago
I thought it was right field. See:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zslUua_jGy4
InquireWithin over 4 years ago
I played right field (yeah i was that bad). It wasn’t all my fault, i actually could catch OK, but I was always surrounded by all-star wannabes who liked to hog the ball (if there is such a thing in baseball). You know, the kids who would go for the fly even after you had already called for it? Which led to me letting down my guard out of boredom on a couple occasions, and watching passing aircraft (for instance), until suddenly my name would get called because our Junior A-Rod had misjudged the ball and it went sailing over his head. Naturally, I’d miss the catch too, but I’d be the one who got the blame for blowing the play. It was annoying. It wouldn’t have been so bad if I could hit, but I was a lefty you see, and young pitchers seem to have a hard time pitching to southpaws. I got on base due to walks and beanballs more times than I can count. I remember getting one hit (the guy floated it right over the plate, maybe out of pity) and I shocked him by actually connecting!
TL;DR I feel for poor Calvin on this one. He brings a lot of crap on himself, but let’s face it: youth sports are a jungle.
yangeldf over 4 years ago
Left field is behind third base, not a good position for a beginner because more fly balls go there since the majority of batters are right handed. Also note that Calvin has JUST shown this coach that he has NO IDEA how the game works, and his solution is to just try and stick him out of the way instead of taking 5 minutes to explain the basic rule set (again, he is SIX, he isn’t old enough to know “common sense” stuff like sports rules. Heck when I was 6 I wasn’t even totally sure how TV schedules worked.)
GlowSqu!dxx over 4 years ago
this is something my brother would do
ex window inspector over 4 years ago
left field was always my position…maybe so that I wouldn’t have to field the ball much….maybe also I figured the right hand hitters would swing late
fstop8 over 4 years ago
my wood shop teachers name was Mr. Wood
WhereisPogo? over 4 years ago
AKA Left Out.