Do You Know How Lucky You Are? (from footbag.org)

Splint · Post by **Splint** » 10 Jun 2004 13:26

I saw this on Footbag.org. It's a post From Ken Somolinos from back in October. I don't think it was posted here and I found it to be very heartening. I wanted to make sure people here saw it.

Ken Somolinos (KenSomolinos) wrote:Do you?

Footbag is easily as dumb as any other sport out there. In footbag you catch a small ball on your feet and dance around while trying not to drop it. In Basketball you bounce around a bigger ball for a long time, and try and put it through a hoop 10 feet off the ground. In Baseball you scratch your nuts, try and hit a ball with a wooden bat, and then run around in circles. In short, footbag is no dumber in the abstract than any other major sport out there.

But while some would argue that we are unlucky that society as a whole doesn`t economically reward us for our talents in this sport (the lowest paid player in the NBA, NFL, or MLB probably makes more than the combined earnings of all Open participants at this year`s worlds) , this may also be something of a blessing. In any case, people who love playing footbag are blessed in a way that fans of most other sports just aren`t.

I remember as a kid watching basketball on TV and fantasizing about playing against Jordan and Pippen. But even back then when I was faking out invisible defenders in my driveway, I was aware that this would never be more than just a fantasy. I knew that even if I should become a very skilled basketballer, I would never get to enjoy playing the sport with the best of the best. Not knocking my self-confidence; I`m just aware of reality.

I remember falling in love with footbag, playing during school in the lunch courtyard, playing after school in my neighbor`s big driveway. My love of the game developed much in the same way as my love of basketball did, and if anything, I had even more fun playing footbag. Now the thing that makes footbag special, is that while it`s totally random what sport you will enjoy the most, if you happen to fall in love with footbag, you will have opportunities that fans of other sports can only dream of.

I remember in January of 99 going to San Francisco for the first time, and calling up the first family to play footbag one day. I had met Sunil before, but he wasn`t at the session. I got to play with Carol W., Eric Wulff, and Tu Vu, all whom I barely knew. I was barely guiltless at the time, and my average string was maybe 5 tricks or so, all completely one-sided. And there I was, playing in the same circle with that year`s Men`s and Women`s World Champions, trading high fives and trying to learn as much from everybody as my nervousness-soaked brain could process. These were people I had watched on video over and over, and here I was, playing with the cream of the sport, giving passbacks, asking questions. Playing footbag. And after that, we went out to dinner.

Think about that.

As many, many footbag newbies over the years can attest to, the top echelon of footbag players will not just play footbag with you, but will hang out with you as well. And most of them are pretty cool too! Seriously, try just getting an autograph from the top players of any other sport, much less going to dinner or a club with them. I still like watching NBA games, but I have even less faith that Nick Van Exel will go eat Mexican with me than I do of him getting a game of one-on-one with me.

Now, you can debate why the top footbag players are so much more accesible. Is it because they don`t get paid anything? Is it because the sport is still such a small community? Is it because the sport is so young? Frankly, the answer doesn`t matter that much. The fact is, somebody who can only do toe stalls on one foot, but loves the game and is a fan, can play the sport they love with the best players in the world. They can learn from the top players. And they can often find good friendships with them. That is something beautiful and rather unique in the world of sports.

The other amazing thing about this open, accessible nature peculiar to footbag, is that when combined with the youth of the sport, you have the historic opportunity to meet some of the creators of the sport! Seriously, while there may be a chance you can meet (and even play baseball with) Derek Jeter, you can`t meet the guy who invented bunting, or even legends like Babe Ruth and Joe Dimaggio. Our sport is so young however, that people like Rippin` Rick Reese and Kenny Shults, architects of modern freestyle, are still shredding at tournaments. Do you realize how lucky you are that the inventor of ripwalk can teach you how to hit it at a tournament? That`s like Babe Ruth giving you batting tips, or George Mikan showing you how to do a jump hook. Our children will be jealous of us. And if that still doesn`t get you excited, there is still the chance to make history yourself in this sport. I remember meeting Yacine Merzouk at 99 Worlds in Chicago. I think he could only hit 2 three add tricks, and this year he took third at worlds. Vasek didn`t know what footbag was, what, 3 years ago?

I have caught myself wondering at times what life would be like if footbaggers were rewarded for their efforts the same way other pro sports players are. But then I realize, that I am just lucky to have found something that I enjoy so much, that still gives me so much enjoyment after 6 years. Massive financial rewards disproportionate to what I do wouldn`t make me enjoy playing any more than I do now. At most it would just give me the freedom to play more. But the way things look now, I`m glad footbag is my hobby. I think about the friends I`ve made, about the places footbag has taken me, and about the fun I`ve had hitting tricks and combos. I think about the combos I want to hit next week, and I get excited knowing I have a good shot at hitting some of them. I`m excited knowing I will probably have fun even if I don`t.

Yeah, sometimes I have a bad session. But even then, I always take a moment to remind myself how lucky I am. Because really, footbaggers are amongst the luckiest fans and athletes in the world of sports.
Signed,
a fan.

Chris Hanratty · Post by **Chris Hanratty** » 10 Jun 2004 14:00

I actually remember reading this, it made me want to play footbag so much more... as I read it when I was just starting out.

Thanks for posting it again, brings back old memories

Spadrick · Post by **Spadrick** » 10 Jun 2004 15:00

I agree with everything he wrote.

Footbag rocks!

AIvanyo · Post by **AIvanyo** » 21 Jun 2004 18:11

thats heart-warming.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 21 Jun 2004 18:32

Great Post by Ken. I remember reading it, then going out, and having a great session. I think I hit Dimwalk for the first time that session.

Where is Ken? He hasn't posted here for a while.

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 22 Jun 2004 05:36

yeah having reached 666 posts he's finally been ordained into the local satanist club (having been knocked back twice in the past) and is too busy keeping up with meetings and what not to post here

Actually I think it something to do with certain issues involving the management here, so hopefully he'll be back sometime.

mosher · Post by **mosher** » 22 Jun 2004 05:59

That was an inspiring post. Thank you for re-posting it here.

I am thankful that there are not lucritive financial rewards in this game. It ensures that those that continue to play are playing solely out of love. My passion drives me to keep trying.

The financial rewards are essentially non-existant, but that doesn't mean we aren't all rewarded lavishly. Simply playing is a free workout! We also gain a fabulous understanding of our own bodies and how a person can connect with a thing.

Again, thanks for sharing this.

shredj · Post by **shredj** » 22 Jun 2004 06:05

very nice i give an honest applause to that very fine speech. indeed what he speakes is TRUE. I totally agree we are very fortunate to have footbags in this community. well thats all i can think of right now
sorry fellas, alright then later
(bye)
Notify me when a reply is posted.

P.S. Please be careful when you are shipping this package to my door. BREAKABLE. Thank you lada man

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 22 Jun 2004 07:05

unemployed769 wrote:I totally agree we are very fortunate to have footbags in this community.

What a sport footbag would be without any footbags!

marc · Post by **marc** » 22 Jun 2004 19:05

That was pretty inspiring... especially being new to the sport.

cheebs · Post by **cheebs** » 22 Jun 2004 20:19

Wow, I just gotta go play now. very inspiring and oh so true!

By the way, my first post, so hello all!

shredj · Post by **shredj** » 22 Jun 2004 20:24

hey

welcome to the boards Chris!

Juice · Post by **Juice** » 23 Jun 2004 02:12

mosher wrote:That was an inspiring post. Thank you for re-posting it here.

Yes, I agree. I found that post pretty inspiring. I enjoyed reading it.

jay7 · Post by **jay7** » 17 Sep 2009 16:23

Thanks for posting that Ken. I couldn't agree more with how completely mind numbingly stupendous it is that footbag has the community it does.

Vasek is so, ugh. What a god. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_bMdUhHdZk ...

Slowsis · Post by **Slowsis** » 17 Sep 2009 19:02

Jay.....how did you dig this one up? Wow. I had a bit of a slow session today, but now feel on top of the world. What a post.

ThisIsFate · Post by **ThisIsFate** » 18 Sep 2009 00:07

Good one, Ill say im the first Hong kong footbagger in history

.

Alex Dworetzky · Post by **Alex Dworetzky** » 18 Sep 2009 02:20

TCP!!!!

Ken & Steve for president!!!!!

best/most inspiring post I've ever read on modified..

thanks Ken, very well written... inspiring, is all I can say.

and thanks Jay, for bringing this post to my attention!

this post reminds me of what modified is all about, thx guys

Asmus · Post by **Asmus** » 18 Sep 2009 04:21

Great post for sure. Thanks alot Jay and Ken (looking forward to hang out with both of you legends soon again).

matt_bailey · Post by **matt_bailey** » 18 Sep 2009 06:13

Alex Dworetzky wrote:thanks Ken, very well written... inspiring, is all I can say

TuRbi · Post by **TuRbi** » 18 Sep 2009 20:05

Very inspiring. Thanks for this post mate. Kudos to you