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Left Field is a documentary about a very adult version of kick ball played primarily by folks from the old school crustier side of the Wicker Park rock and/or roll bar scene. (There are no hipsters to be found in these reels.) The debut screening is tonight at The Portage Theater, and is sure to be attended by most of the film's subjects, so expect a rowdy showing.
Personally, we got all misty eyes over summer's on the Pontiac patio just by seeing who was involved in the movie.
Portage Theater, 4050 N Milwaukee, 7:30 p.m., $9.99
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lets go fighting cocks!!
A bunch of grimy, coddled 20-somethings playing kickball while spilling beer and tearing up public parks? Pass.
Well, you're free to make those assumptions and miss a fun flick. I can personally attest to the fact that most of those folks are neither 20-somethings nor are they coddled.
They're not assumptions at all. I've been around Wicker Park when these groups, and the more "hipster" filled rosters have been at play. They're noisy, rude and unpleasant. Parks are for families and people who want to relax. Some fool screaming and fighting while playing kickball? It's childish hooligan behavior, and if you're still behaving that way into your thirties, well, mores the pity.
I don't know what league plays in Wicker Park. But the subjects of this movie play their games in Humboldt Park. And parks are for childish behavior. A lot of kickballers bring their families and children to the games. Its not croquet on the back lawn, but its our family, we have a great time, clean up after ourselves and are one of the tightest communities in Chicago.
Nor do we "tear up public parks". We pay the district every summer to use their facilities and often, the fields are in better condition after we clean up after the games than they were when we got them.
Don't come if you don't want. More fun for me.
And you all look at the behavior on this video and can say "This is how adults should comport themselves in public."?
Because I see nothing but people who've taken every step to alienate themselves from the mainstream with their dress, tattoos and general demeanor acting like drunken thugs in a public park.
The fact the park district allows this to go on is shameful.
We're not looking for your pity. And just because you don't choose to comport (nice grown-up word, by the way)yourself in public this way, that doesn't give you the right to judge an entire group of people whom you have never met. These are good people, kind people. People who would give most anyone the shirts off their backs. People who also pay their taxes and have just as good a reason to play in the park on a Sunday as anyone else.
Someone took the time to get to know us and decided that we were the kind of folks that they wanted to make a movie about. If you and your adult friends aren't into it, that's your prerogative. But, if you want to talk about "rude and unpleasant", you need to look no further than your generalizations and judgment.
What she said!
God...no kidding, JHop!
When I saw the video my first thought was that looks like SO much fun!
It's so fun playing kids games...I had a riot a few years back playing Capture the Flag with a bunch of grown ups. I never laughed so hard in my life!
"Because I see nothing but people who've taken every step to alienate themselves from the mainstream with their dress, tattoos"
o.k. where should I start on this.........well how the F*ck you define mainstream? How do they dress? It all sounds mighty whitey linconparkie,suburbanitie to Spookie!
I would much rather grasp my youth, go out and let loose. You sound jealous. Sorry that you are missing out.
mrarey-
You pathetic, friendless, joyless sack of dog turd....
This movie is about a group of free-thinking, creative, vibrant, ALIVE people who embrace one of the most important components of life: fun. Life is mostly boring and tedious and sometimes cruel- fun is essential for survival. You sound like the kind of person who wouldn't know fun if it landed on your face and shat. We make no apologies about how we "comport ourselves in public." Comport. Wow, look at you and your repsplendent vocab. Someone got a word-a day calender for xmas....Stop judging something you know nothing about. Just go cry yourself to sleep in your cubicle, you soulless twit.
Also, I have walked by the "responsible adults" who DO play ball in the actual Wicker Park in the summer, and they are rude, foul-mouthed cave men who couldn't care less about the fact that there are families and children also trying to enjoy the public park. I have heard them curse at people who get too near to their invisible outfield and scream at them to "get the fuck out". Those are your average, normal-job holding, generic, non-tattooed (well, actually they usually have at least one socially acceptable bad armband or cross on their shoulder) thirty year olds.
You sound like teenagers "Stop Judging us!". I take my nieces to the park I don't want to see you having your grungy kickball fight/drunk.
Talking about how individual you are, all I see there are people dressing in costumes to define how "free" they are. How "alive" they are. Again, this sounds like teenagers. Anyone who wants to have a peaceful, pleasant park experience, one that doesn't look like a bar has spilled out at closing time is "asleep in their cubicle."
Do you even see how cliche that argument is? How little it has changed from high school? If I don't want to act like an imbecile in public, or if I use multi-syllabic words to make an argument, I'm a soulless twit.
You want to act like a bunch of rowdy thugs, be my guest. Buy some land, cover it in dirt and have at it. I've dealt with these drunken, rude, surly and unpleasant individuals in the park on more than one occasion. The park district should pull their permits and return the parks to families, not carnival trash.
You sound like the "grown up" version of the kid that never got picked in gym class. Shame.
I'm the one who pities you now.
But, anyhoo (that's multi-syllabic, too!) I'm off to gussy up for this shin-dig! Anyone who doesn't have a problem with a good time is more than welcome to join us tonight!
You pathetic, friendless, joyless sack of dog turd....
Thank you for proving my point. Anyone who uses that kind of language to justify their behavior is simply contemptible. No one is as poetic as a failure.
mrarey-
We are in a small corner of the park and can be easily avoided by you and your nieces. We don't need to define how free and alive we are. We just are. You seemed to be fixated on teenagers/ high school. What's the matter? I think that the people in this league have left that behind. Most maintain gainful employment and use this time with their friends as a fun outlet. Again, I realize that this concept is foreign to you. Except in the context of gleaning a false sense of superiority and self-righteousness by judging a group of people who probably wouldn't want anything to do with you anyway. You're not a soulless twit because you use multi-sylabbic words or don't want to act like an imbecile in public. You're one because you seem to have been born without a sense of humor. And I pity you for that. The Humboldt Park kickball league is the finest group of imbeciles I've ever known and I'm proud to be a part of it. You and your "dignity" have a nice life. I say good day to you, sir. (flings his scarf around his neck, puts on his derby, turns on his heels and exits stage left.)
I find it kind of interesting, for all the hoopla about individuality, you have a very narrow definition of fun. Reminds me of how many liberals will talk endlessly about tolerance and openness but get very cagey when someone expresses a conservative point of view.
I've had more than a handful of run-ins in Wicker park with these sorts of groups. Having someone screaming the f-word while I'm playing with my toddler relatives is simply bad behavior. There's drinking, foul language and I've seen how torn up these groups leave the grounds, much to their claims otherwise.
I've also seen families avoid them or even leave the park entirely. Many of those families are Hispanic and see a rowdy group of young white people some something best avoided.
I wasn't a gym class hero, or zero. You can make fun of me all you like, I don't draw my self-esteem from tattoos and beer brands so I can take the heat.
Public parks are there for everyone to enjoy, but especially families. Young kids and older adults might not enjoy your activities, and might be scared to complain.
@mrarey
I was sad to glance at your profile and see that you are in the Navy. I've never met a Navy man I didn't like (its a small sample set, but nonetheless, I was surprised). Further, I thought you were in the business of protecting Our (yours, mine and ours) right to be and do as we please; whether that's playing kick-ball in the park or half-asleep in our carpet covered cubicles. For shame.
@jhop & crew
Sounds like a fun party tonight. I wish I could make it. Have fun!
can we all just stop satiating this jerk's obvious fetish for provocation. i mean, look at his/her profile. do you see the ramblings he posts on an almost daily basis showcasing his overuse of thesaurus.com? ("bilious"? really? who use that word?) clearly this person doesn't get the fact that people can come together and act a bit crazy with like-minded people and still be able to navigate through society with a respect for it and each other.
notice there is never a mention from he/she about actually witnessing a game in OUR league? ignorance, my friends, in its richest form. remember the days before the internet where you had to actually know what you were talking about before spewing filth all over message boards? i miss those days.
Sorry, I don't need a website to use strong, specific language. Bilious is a fine word. So is excoriate, lambaste, wallop, and cudgel. That you, and others here, are so offended by my word use says more about your substance than mine, friend.
Perhaps glancing at a grammar text might help you a bit though. You seem to have forgotten how to form sentences, where to capitalize.
@clark901: Sorry you've formed your opinion of my from my opinion of some jerks making a muck in the park. We get plenty rowdy up here at Great Lakes, we just don't do it in a public park.
I'd just like to add a point of order and I'll stop. We play in HUMBOLDT park. Not Wicker. We aren't responsible for groups that mrarey classifies as our "sort." You're right, clark. I'll stop now. I have to get ready to a hot show with a bunch of talented people from our league. It's going to be great. Love you guys. You too, mrarey. There's room enough for all of us in America.
There's room enough for all of us in America.
I agree and I'll admit to getting a bit hot under the collar. The bad experiences I've had, and they were pretty bad-once almost coming to a physical altercation, have made me quite knee-jerk and for that I am sorry.
I grew up with a naturalist for a mother so I view parks and forest preserves as hallowed places. Chicago is so luck to have them, especially in dense neighborhoods like Wicker Park and Humboldt, I get more than a little, I suppose, protective of them.
Listen, I don't care what one does for fun, and the idea behind the movie, and what happened in the making of this movie, sounds interesting.
That said:
1. It's kickball. Not a political movement, not some grand community, not a religious movement or intellectual school or form of protest or anything that involves emotional or physical risk. It a fun childhood game that certain adults have fun playing now--nothing more, nothing less. Let's not be ridiculous about the self-importance of this game.
2. Thesaurus.com? Really--you guys are making fun of someone who actually uses a fuller range of vocab on a blog? That's a step away from wanting it to dumb it down, which is rather offensive.
I find it funny, however, that a kickballer "community" apparently exists in Chicago, but I also find it funny that bike messengers and others niche groups have their "communities" as well, so perhaps I am just an insentive, unhip SOB (we likely have our own "community" as well, but I've not been extended a formal invitation as of yet).
mrarey-
You just couldn't resist the temptation to judge the people in the short trailer you watched as "A bunch of grimy, coddled 20-somethings"? I know posting comments on Chicagoist probably helps you feel important and involved in the community but you could have said something more like, "This movie is not for me." No one would have taken issue with such a statement.
Sadly, you are coming off as judgmental, lonely and bitter. Perhaps you should consider moving out of the city. I'm sure you've noticed that there are lots of different types of people living in this large metropolis. You don't seem to have the ability to understand people who are different than you. Your life could benefit from freeing yourself of such silly constraints. Get out there and enjoy life by interacting with live, actual people instead of sitting at your keyboard and looking down your nose at the world.
Maybe someday you will see the error of your ways, but until then try not to cast aspersions at things you don't fully understand.
Thank you and good luck!
I'm sorry to disabuse you of your summation, but I'm far from "lonely and bitter". I just carry myself very, very differently than the people we're talking about. Is it that hard to imagine someone who has fun and doesn't drink, smoke or cuss? I know for a fact those things are quite fun, they just aren't for me.
I think it's great that so many different groups exist in a metropolis, but simply existing together is very different than being a community. I think Matilda brings up an interesting point. So many "communities" seem to form, but doesn't that just segment us more?
What segments the world is the idea that people in one community are "below" the people in another community. The idea that any group of people you don't agree with is worth your contempt based on a 2 minute movie trailer or a run-in with an entirely different group of people.
It's totally fine that you carry yourself differently than we choose to. Not that you need my approval or anything. What's unfortunate is that you are choosing to use this lifestyle to give you an excuse to pass judgment on others.
Well, when I'm having a picnic with my family and someone else is having a free-for-all, yeah, I'm going to judge that. As for judging the style, I see that mode of dress, hairstyle and general mannerisms as a means of rejecting society and distancing themselves, often becoming clannish. That's never sat well with me.
Dude. You joined the Navy and you're going to accuse others of distancing themselves and becoming clannish?
I'm done.
Touche JHop. Well done!
You're very welcome for all the liberties and freedoms that generations of military men and women have fought, sacrificed and died for Jhop.
"something that's very bloody, sweaty and stinky" Yeah, where do I sign up.
P.s. I'm glade to see diverse groups using my local park! I mean I aint getting all dirty and dustly like that, but people like that bring Humboldt Park alive and send a signal to the larger community that Humboldt park belongs to the community instead of the gang bangers and winos.
I'm glade they selected Humboldt Park as oppossed to Wicker Parl where all the "alternative" cowards do community activities safe in the confines of protected nouveau yuppiedom.
Bring it on, I say, bring it on.
And Matilda the last invite you got to any thing was in the 3rd grade and even that was from your teacher Miss Hardpockface. So don't hold yer breath waiting for a formal invite or invite of any kind
When's the first game? I'll be there...PBR Tall Boy in hand. Have a great time tonight guys! I wish I could be there! I've never seen a closer knit group of people. I've lived here for almost ten years and have nothing comparable to the amount of support and "looking out for each other" attitude that this community has.
As for SAILOR SEAMAN...concentrate on swabbing the deck. Aye? Aye? You should be ashamed of yourself.
You've never actually met a Sailor have you? Good thing too.
And Again, you're very welcome for all the liberties and protection you enjoy thanks to the volunteer military.
@mrarey
Don't throw that in people's faces, the fact that you serve. Seriously man. Not cool. I'm a reservist in the Illinois National Guard, did a tour in Afghanistan, and one thing we do (at least in our unit) is to not throw that in peoples faces. It really is unbecoming, to say the least.
I'm not going to pick on you otherwise, although I don't abide by your particular world view. I believe in adults having the right to do whatever it is they please so long as they do not harm anybody else. And I'm sorry, but your insistence that they are somehow ruining family outings in our parks is anecdotal at best, it's not as bad as you make it out to be. Children and families do not take precedent over grown, responsible adults out to just have a good time. Children are not everything. Adults have rights too.
@Matilda
There's a book I have to recommend to you, and don't take it the wrong way, I just know that you're well read and hopefully will give it a gander. It's called "Tribes" by the marketing guru Seth Godin. It basically breaks down the (quote) "communities" you speak of, and how powerful they can be, not only as demographics but as movements. Give it a look, I think you'll enjoy it and gain some insight into these so called "communities."
Okay just to clarify Mrarey, I do realize that somebody else brought up the fact that you're in the Navy first. Understood. What I meant was that whole "you're welcome for your freedom" type of rhetoric that you are spewing. Please don't do that. That's not what we are about, you should know that.
See you at the PX.
It's a quote from one of the founders of the VFW actually, slightly abridged here and there. It's not about rubbing their face in it at all. It's a statement of fact. When someone rips on the military or just on me using the Navy as a comic foil I simply state it and leave it. I'm not going to debated the armed forces or get into a "yo momma" contest with someone who hasn't served. And only someone who hasn't served would make some of the wisecracks these people did.
I've been in the Navy for 8 years, joined after college and just before 9/11. It's not about making people feel lesser because they chose not to serve, it's about reminding them that when they slag off about "seamen" or other scatological humor they're insulting the men and women who fought, sacrificed and died to give them that right. I don't expect them to stop, but maybe it gives them pause?
I hope you understand where I'm coming from and what I meant by that. Guardies are good eggs. Better than regular Army anyway :)
So mrarey...you're what an E-4 at best? I've been in the military for 13 years. So yea...go swab the decks.
o you have so much to learn about the world mrarey. Good luck to you.