this story took place s*ral years ago, when our boys were about eight years old. it was the first * of the season, and the first * in which the boys began pitching. i went out to discuss ground rules with the umpire and realized that is was also the first year that the boys could steal bases. unfortunately, we had not gone over this in practice. so i hurried back to the dugout, gathered my players and proceeded to go over the rules. as i got to the subject of stealing bases, i announced enthusiastically, "and this year we get to steal!" the news caused the boys to erupt into yelling1 and cheering. their response left me thinking positively2 that this might all work out okay after all. then the cheers died down, and as our team was about to take the field, one player loudly exclaimed, "steal what?!" i let out a groan3 as i realized that the question had come from my son! __