What They Did on Vacation

Summer postcards we almost received . . .

Hallo, apakabar:

That’s Indonesian for “Howdy.” Here we are at the Jakarta airport, waiting for our flight home. We just took second place in the Sister Cities men’s volleyball tournament, a dandy little event that featured teams from nine civilized cities around the world and one from someplace in Arkansas. The final match on Sunday came down to us and Seoul and we got squashed in three games. But, hey, we were 4-2 overall and had a great time. Funny, I asked one of our guys if he was interested in Java and he told me he could use all the caffeine he could get. What a riot he is. Anyhow, hang in there and hang 10.

--John Price,

Cal State Northridge coach

*

Bummer, man:

My teammates on the Northridge volleyball team are having fun in Indonesia and I’m stuck here with a bunch of little dudes. That’s what I get for signing up to be a summer camp counselor. I wanted to go so baaad, but noooooo, ‘cause Camp Chaos needed me. You know, organizing the sack races and all. How many times do you have to tell kids that tying someone--me--to an anthill is not cool? I’m going with the team next time, even if it’s to Tierra del Fuego. Hasta la vista.

--Chad Strickland, outside hitter

*

Greetings:

I can’t tell you how excited I am about being the new Glendale baseball coach. But I wish people on campus would stop asking me if I remember Chernobyl. All right, so the team lost 50 of 80 games the last two years. Who cares? I’ve got a whole three high schools to recruit from and by golly, I’m getting myself some impact players. We are going to field a competitive team. (I just borrowed that from a note glued to my desk that was written by the previous two coaches that says, “Give this spiel to the press.”) I’m sorry I won’t be coaching at Chaminade High anymore, but I couldn’t pass up this golden opportunity. Cheers!

--Denny Barrett

*

Hello:

This is the Wolfman, writing you directly from Malibu. I’m up here on a cliff--no, I’m not going to jump--overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean, actually feeling pretty good about not being in Atlanta. What a madhouse that place is, huh? At first I was really hoping to make the U.S. Olympic baseball team and I wasn’t too happy when they cut me, being that I was one of the few good left-handed pitchers on the roster. But don’t cry for me, guys. After hearing about the snafus and pitiful organization of the Games, I don’t think I’m missing much. Plus those Cubans are hitting a lot of dingers so who needs the pressure? I’ll be back next season at Pepperdine, mowing down opposing hitters. See ya then.

--Randy Wolf