It´s a whole new game.

It is very well known by my friends and family that I am a competitive person-a very competitive person. However, curiously, I never really participated in organized sports in high school or college. I did play high school soccer my sophomore year in an attempt to meet people after my family moved to Ohio, and I joined the cross-country team my senior year of college to help balance out the calories I was consuming from Pabst Blue Ribbon. And though I ended up competing in nationals that year, it wasn´t anything that I ever took too seriously. So the sportsman status I´ve acquired since moving down here has come with both surprise and a little bit of shame.

I started off playing goalie in Santa Maria Tzejá in a sincere attempt to get to know other people my age in the community. There was a soccer tournament starting in the neighboring community, so I agreed to join the team and my humble soccer career began. What had started off as a hobby, something for me to pass the time and get to know people, soon ballooned beyond my expectations.

Similar to my running in college, I tended to take the individual competitions seriously but not so much the larger picture. So, when I was recently asked to join the regional team a huge compliment, I shyly turned it down. I was surprised to learn that the captain of the team who consistently beat us (mostly figuratively but at times literally - see picture)in the neighboring town announced publicly that they would be even better “If we had that expletive gringo for a goalie“. Likewise, I was surprised when the organizer for our community team announced that “During this tournament we may have to make some changes, and no one, except Eduardo, is guaranteed to make it.” Seeing how he had only seen me play for one game, I felt more amazed and embarrassed by the praise than pride.

During the soccer games, my naturally competitive edge is only peaked when players on the opposing team inform me that they will be scoring several goals on me before the end of the game (to date, none of those guys actually have, something my competitive nature is all too pleased to share). It´s peaked even further when most of the heckling on the field isn´t directly targeted at me but players from the other team harassing each other that they can´t score on the gringo goalie. The competitiveness goes into full fury when the fans on the opposing team throw rocks at me during the game and call out ”My name is! My name is!” over and over in English. Thankfully at the end, win or lose, I shake hands and shake it off. Out of sight out of mind.

I freely admit my intensity on the field can be little much but that my attitude on the basketball court is plain out of control. Audrey is taller then most Guatemalans at her 5´3”. At close to six feet, I am nearly a giant. An overhand chuck from the three point line is the preferred method for a shot. 20 minute games usually end 10-6 or less, not a scoring bonanza. I, on the other hand, can make a layup. There is no reason what-so-ever for me to feel the need to take this sport competitively. I clearly have the advantages when it comes to playing basketball and I would do more than well to enjoy the sunshine, the exercise and the team play. Sadly my career on the court can best be illustrated by the last tournament I participated in.

The other team quickly realized that they could swat my arms and neck to prevent me from making my shots. It worked frustratingly well. At half time I “calmly” asked the ref what was and what was not considered a foul. It turns out that a push to the back is the only thing that constitutes a foul in Guatemalan Basketball. Was my holding onto the hips of the player trying to make a breakaway when my competitive nature got the best of me? Or was it me pushing the ball down the hill after every time I made a basket so I had more time to get back on defense? Or was it me intentionally coming down hard on players after they took their shot that proved my over reaching desire to win? I´m sure all of these acts contributed greatly to the fact that my victory over the middle school team for a $12 prize (to be split 6 ways) has really stung me as quite shameful. Not even the 35-6 victory consoled me.

I´m a nice guy; I am genuinely a caring compassionate person, but for some reason, be it playing cribbage with Audrey, Wii bowling against my mother or a friendly community sporting event, my competitive nature takes over. Perhaps it was best that I haven´t taken a keen interest in competitive sports till later in life, when I´m more…mature.