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Do-over
Sometimes, passions were too strong, convictions too deep, perspectives too
contrasting to reach agreement on a call. Still, it was understood that
unless the opposing team was being absolutely unreasonable or cheating,
preserving friendships and, even more importantly, continuing the game took
precedence over a specific play. After the proper amount of heated discussion
had taken place, one of the player would finally extend the proverbial
fig-leaf by offering his opponent a "do-over", as in "you can do it again."
The do-over was one of childhood's most powerful rites, for it exerted our
dominion over the laws of space and time. The clock was rolled back, the game
was restored to its exact status as before before the contested event and play
was resumed. If the original play was particularly important and the second
attempt was dramatically different (e.g. the player striking out instead of
hitting a multi-base shot as in the original play), the do-over might be
invoked again. This second invocation would give the team another chance
thereby insuring that the universal forces of fair play were being righteously
maintained.
Yes, it is with fond memories that we recall the do-over a divine method of
resolution, and contemplate the untold blessings it could bring if it were
somehow extended into our contemporary lives.
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