Cash Hayter Soccer

 

Hayter for March 24, 2024

A game of low scores and a lot of running 

          Jill spent a couple of days with us last week. My kid sister is my favorite visitor. I’d appreciate it if you don’t share that with my other siblings. One of the many great things about Jill is that she never takes advantage of her welcome.

We’ve had guests who would have gladly spent the month with us, had I let them. Kay has always been able to put up with much more discomfort with guests than her husband. Some guests completely ignore any hints about their leaving.

I find only two reasonable responses to the clingers. Honesty or a lie. I’m fairly good with both. For example: “Excuse me, gang. Kay and I have to rush off to Corrigan because of sickness in the family -- or a sale on corn on the cob -- or to visit a sick friend.” -- I use the name of a remote town that would be believable in that it’s unlikely one would make up the name.  I’ve found “Corrigan” a safe town name. I’ve yet to meet anyone with family or friends living there.  

To holdovers, Kay prefers I tell a lie over the truth. --  “Okay, it’s time for you guys to load up and leave. You can get lunch on the road.” – Let’s face it, no chump wants to hear the truth. 

Of course, Jill’s visits are always fun times. In this case, we went to a high school soccer game in Willis. Willis was playing Oak Ridge. I taught at Oak Ridge High and would’ve yelled for the War Eagles. But, I felt obligated to cheer for Willis because Big Al’s grandson plays for the Wildcats. Cash is the tallest player on the team. He’s lean, but not mean. And, he’s fast. I would tell you the position he plays, but the only position I know in soccer is that of goalie.

The goalie doesn’t have to run nearly as much as the other players. You see, he’s guarding the thing with the net, so needs to stay close--by. The rest of the players run their guts out during each of the 40-minute halves. That’s like 80 minutes! Sure some of the players trade off now and again, but there’s no way a normal human being could get his wind back after a six-minute rest.

By the time the first 40-minute half ended, I was bored out of my gourd. The score was one to one. Both teams ran their rears off for one point each. Willis scored first and Oak Ridge scored with about 30 seconds left in the half.  Apparently a few War Eagles got together and agreed to score in the last minute. Sure enough, they ran downfield kicking back and forth until – SCORE!

There weren’t that many fans in the stands, but most of them were rooting for Oak Ridge. The last score in the half impressed me enough to boost my interest in the game.  

Let’s face it, soccer isn’t for everyone. As a novice, I liken it to a basketball game that ends up with a score of 2 to 4. The players run themselves ragged, yet there is a limit to how many missed baskets one cares to watch.

During the short wait at half time, Jill and I got a chance to talk more with Clint, who is Cash’s dad. Clint’s wife, their younger son, and two daughters were also there, as was Clint’s Dad, Big Al.  I see it as important for a kid’s grandpa to go to his game. Be it baseball, football, soccer, or that game where two guys use a curved claw-looking device, to sling a ball back and forth. I don’t remember the name of that game.

Al had purchased three folding stadium seats for Clint, his wife, and himself. They are made out of water-resistant fabric wrapped over two cushions, with straps that enable you to fold the thing up and carry it on your back like a backpack. It’s light as can be.

Clint let Jill sit on his folded foam mat. Jill has a bad back, so she now likes Clint more than the other nephews.  During half-time, Al handed me his folded cushion seat. I tried it out and found it exceptional.

I tried it out for about five minutes and then gave it back to Al. I mean, I tried to give it back. He said, “No, you use it.” Twenty minutes into the second half, I tried to give it back to him again, but he said, “No. I’m good. I don’t want it.” What a brother.

And, the game? Willis won three to two. They made their third point in the last two minutes of the game. How those boys have enough energy to jump around and back-slap one another, after running practically non-stop for 80 minutes or so, is more than any other sportsman would have the energy to do.

After the game ended, I bragged on as many Wild Cats as I could. Oak Ridge had to leave quickly, so I didn’t get to brag on them. Each of the Willis athletes lit up just a bit when I complimented them. They didn’t hear all that much cheering during the game, because there weren’t many fans seated in the stadium.

I wouldn’t have been there had Jill not wanted to go. I tend to go out of my way for my kid sister. We go way back to a time when— Well, I’ll continue with that on another day. The Hayter kids have experienced a lot of strange events… as do many families with multiple kids. – Next time.  

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