My baggy shorts

One thing about having a kid who plays a sport seriously, you get to be friends with the parents of all the other kids who play on the same team because you travel to games (or meets or matches) together. Either that or you go crazy because you are spending a ton of time with people who aren't your friends. Trust me, friendship works better.

In my case, my son Ethan played baseball, and all we baseball parents bonded. My book "Who Stole Uncle Sam?" was inspired by being involved with Little League, Babe Ruth, and high school baseball.

Anyway, one of the baseball dads, who I will call Unnamed Dad to protect his privacy and reputation, was renowned among us for his distinctive wardrobe, which consisted of baggy shorts and a blue polo shirt that he wore day after day, season after season to the point that both shorts and shirt became both shapeless and colorless.

In fact, I kind of admired Unnamed Dad for his lack of uptightness about his appearance and because I figured somewhere he had a bank account full of the money he had saved on clothes all those years. Also, I could relate because I don't like to shop for clothes either.

But one summer season I broke tradition and actually ordered a spanking new pair of what I considered stylish shorts from a catalog. They weren't even on sale. When I wore them with pride to a baseball game, the other baseball moms giggled and I wondered why till finally one explained, "Your wardrobe looks just like Unnamed Dad's!"

Good thing I have a sense of humor.

This Labor Day weekend I wore my attractive baggy shorts camping with my daughter, who does not find them especially attractive either. What do you think?