Sour Grapes

This past week I heard comments or had conversations with some students about Canada's victory over Taiwan last Monday night in Taichung.

Background - in the 8th both benches cleared after a Canadian baserunner bowled over the Taiwanese catcher in a not so close play at the plate. He was called out and Taiwan took a 5-4 lead into the 9th. It was a legitimate hit and well within the rules of baseball though a lot of Taiwanese I've spoken to about it have been horrified at the sudden and brutal violence of the collision. And the Taiwanese media has had a field day sensationalizing the supposed "unfair" play of the Canadian squad, especially after they blew the lead with 2 out in the 9th.

"Canada very bad." - said Fat Phil, 11th grade

"Canada is very rude." - said Lascivious Darren, 7th grade

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And then this conversation with an 11th grader about Canada's style of play:

Student: They (Canada) have small hits too much.

Me: You mean bunts?

Student: Yeah. Bunts.

Me: So?

Student: That's not good baseball. You supposed to hit the ball.

Me: It's called 'small ball'. It's tried and true strategy.

Student: It's wrong.

Me: Why? It's not against the rules.

Student: Yeah, but it's bad baseball.

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And then another student, also grade 11, definitely in denial:

Student: Canada can't beat Chinese Taipei.

Me: But they did.

Student: But they can't.

Me: But they did. It happened. Taiwan blew it in the 9th. You had a one run lead with 2 out and nobody on in the 9th.

Student: Yes. They can't win.

Me: Who?

Student: Canada.

Me: Are you trying to say that Chinese Taipei is a better team than Canada?

Student: Yes.

Me: So why did they lose?

Student: They can't. Canada so bad.

Me: Canada won. Taiwan lost. On this day Canada was the better team.

Student: No.

Me: (sigh)

And on and on in this fashion til we had to go to class...

Sour grapes, that's what I says, sour grapes...