Some People

I've recently had to deal with a rather negative personality on the softball field. This person has very specifically gone out of her way to be hurtful, vindictive and mean at all times, often working feverishly in the background to instigate trouble between my team and others. Her machinations have manifested in many ways, but all have been benign.

But what makes the entire scenario troubling is that neither me nor anyone else I know can recall any instance where we'd deserve the treatment we are receiving from this individual. Further, we were given no opportunity to mitigate the situation before her hateful antics began.

In the end, I believe that ignoring the negativity from this individual is by far the best and most appropriate action any of us can take; further, she appears to be completely unaware that her efforts are earning her a rather unenviable reputation as a trouble maker, which slowly erodes her overall ability to cause trouble in the first place.

Each time she makes trouble with another team, those team captains come to me for clarification, which allows both sides to come away with a stronger mutual respect. At the same time, this individual, however, is increasingly seen as unreliable and an instigator by the parties she intends to pit against me. From her perspective, I suspect rather strongly that this is precisely the opposite of the intended effect.

All that being said, I personally harbor no malice for this individual or her male friend, Tommy, and I never have.

I wish they both knew that, and perhaps publishing the sentiment here may eventually allow the words to get to her. After all, I know she's reading at least some of the blogs belonging to my teammates.