Hey, all.
I'm not even sure how to explain this situation, but I'll try to keep it short.
Our "fun" mixed league season is winding down. Two weeks ago was the last regular round of play and we played a team that had a chance to win the second half. We took all four points, and they didn't make it. They were upset, of course, but it was sad that they couldn't even show the decency of shaking hands afterwards.
Monday was position round, and we bowled them again. They took all four points. That's not a problem. We've managed to lose all four points several times this season, and we've laughed about it. The sad thing was that two of the men on that team spent all night mocking, laughing at and teasing about one of my teammates. Now this woman is almost 70 and she's a new bowler. Is she good, heck no. But she has the biggest heart in the world, and she's always gracious to everyone. After she left for the night, I said to the members of the other team that I thought their behavior was below par and that they were unnecessarily cruel. They denied doing anything. I thought we were fortunate that the woman on my team didn't happen to notice the poor behavior, and when they denied doing it, I considered that I might just be overly sensitve to the situation. Well, on the way home from league, my husband told me that our teammate had mentioned near the end of the last game that "those fellows have been picking on me all night." So much for my hopes that she hadn't noticed.
Now the dilemma ... this coming Monday we have our final roll-off. Guess what - we're bowling this team again, for fifth and sixth place. That's three weeks in a row. Poor sports the first week, general meanness the second week. What can be expected next? I've known from the beginning of the year that we probably weren't going to win the league, but I did want it to be a fun and happy experience for my teammates. Anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do on Monday night to help make the end of the season a positive one for our new bowling buddy? Is there anything I can do to difuse the situation should the other team start to show their stripes again? I really don't want this woman to end the year with people being mean to her. I sure hope that when I'm nearing my 70s that I have the guts to try some new physical activity where I'll be routinely pitted against much younger more skilled people. And I hope they'll be nice.
Deb
Edited on 4/27/2004 10:21 AM