USA UNIVERSITY TEAM
The logistical difficulties encountered by the USA University team pale by order of magnitude in comparison to Lord Kitcheners march across the Sudan to defeat the Mahdi at Obdurman, but their passage across the South China Sea was fraught with challenge, frustration and a few harrowing moments.
When we arrived from Frisco, we could not connect in Hong Kong with the Dragon Air flight to Taiwan because of the typhoon. So the team bedded down in the rather upscale Regal Hotel at the HK airport. After breakfast at 6am, the entourage walked a country mile to the Dragon Air gate and were buoyed by the news that Flight 432 would leave as scheduled at 930am. Alas, after an hour-plus flight to Tainan in northern Taiwan, the weather conditions did not meet safety minimums and the flight returned to Hong Kong. The wheels had just stopped rolling – some of us noticed we were not at a gate but out on the tarmac – when the pilot informed us that the Tainan ceiling had lifted. Graciously, he announced that the two bathrooms would be open during refueling – and 300 passengers emulated Mao’s Great March – to the head. So, Flight 432 was refueled and off we went.
Once again over Tainan, and the turbulence increased – like sitting on the hurricane deck of a Brahma bull. Our intrepid pilot announced we had enough fuel to stay up for 30 minutes waiting for ground conditions to improve. There was no ceiling. At times we could not see the ends of the wings. I was hoping the pilot, an Australian, would head for Shanghai – great town – but he announced he would now try for Taipei at the South end of Taiwan. The pilot found some smooth air – and once again the toilets were opened and a rush something like the opening of the Cimarron Strip ensued. (One small Oriental lady forgot to put down the seat and got her tush wedged, and beat on the door).
Finally, at 530pm, we disembarked , having spent most of the day in a container I described as a cigar tube with wings, claimed our luggage – no clean clothes since leaving San Diego -- and our good leaders –coach Hutchins, assistant coach Miller, and asst national teams director McCormack – negotiated passage on a bus for the four hour-plus ride across the length of Taiwan. Very uncomfortable.
At 1030, we finally reached the University and found a dozen or more students who had volunteered for the games eager to take our luggage and assist us to our assigned rooms. Very accommodating, genuinely eager to help. Our players raced toward a bank of computers, all on broadband, to send “I’ve arrived” messages home.
Then, we found our rooms. Not a surprise for the players, perhaps, who are collegians. But, the adults have the same rooms. Broadband access! But, bunk beds which are 6 feet off the floor and accessible only by aluminum ladders. With 57 down and 43 across stitches, I could not climb that ladder. The young lady tasked with helping me get settled offered a boost. But, I outweigh her by more than 100 pounds, and she suggested I sleep on the floor – on a pallet thinner than Sammy’s – but my bed for the night. Had to change rooms – the toilet in my assigned room was broken and flooding the room. So, I am all alone on the 6th floor, the team on the 4th.
Lovable young people, but we are 30 minutes from the ballfields – and that’s w/o traffic. On the morrow, I will look for a hotel. RFH
Reminder: game reports, which begin Saturday, will be posted on www.usasoftball.org.