softball.....

     Dad joined a mens fast pitch softball league when i was around 12 years old.  The team was a bunch of guys from a local carpenters or plumbers union or something.  A lot of times we would go to the field only to have 6 guys show up and forfeit the game.  That wasnt so bad because he made a few friends on the team.  One guy was a blonde, loud, Finnish electrician named Olli.   Olli had 2 kids eric and zachary.  Erick was around 6 i think at the time and zacky was just a baby.  after most games we would go to Ollis house to watch the then just emerging Ultimate fighting championship on pay per view.  Well Ollis wife Lynn worked nights leaving olli alone with an infant who would never stop crying.  well my dad would pick up the little ball of tears and rock him to sleep like it was nothing.  he wasnt just a good dad to me and my sister he extended that love to so many other kids.  He quickly went from Joe to Uncle Joe in that household and has been ever since.