Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson for May 03, 2024

Only Pete Rose is allowed to tackle the shortstop.->

Rules were made to be broken…..

“Another problem”. Add that to the already long list of problems with sports.

Yes, you can. But only because it’s you.

With all those stupid “unwritten rules” causing so many altercations during the games, I don’t think the pros even know how to play baseball the real way.

Then you kick the shortstop through the goalposts

Closer to rugby

His athletic abilities will always be stunted!!!

On Charlie Brown’s team, the short stop (Snoopy) growls at the runner and as a runner leap toward the 2nd baseman

Is Moe playing shortstop?

Betcha he gets kicked out the first day—and be subject to another beating from Moe and yet another lecture from Dad on “building character”.

BTW, I bet Susie could outplay any of them!

No, Calvin, you can’t unless you are at silly mid on and par is less than five.

As Ronnie said—-“rules are not the solution to the problem, they ARE the problem.”

And what if you are the keeper?

I love Hobbes’s comment, “Mostly we argue about the rules we make up. That’s the part I like.” It reminds me of a reply that a reader gave to me when I recently quoted Bill Watterson as saying, “I suspect he’s more real than any kid could make up.” The reader replied that Watterson had been saying that he didn’t think Calvin would imagine a friend who argued with him yet Calvin and Hobbes often enjoy their arguments.

I agree that Calvin and Hobbes often enjoy their arguments. Indeed, Hobbes makes that point here. However, there are times when Calvin and Hobbes do not enjoy an argument but are genuinely angry with one another. One such time was in last year’s reprint of the Safety Poster arc. Calvin had been lying on the ground with Hobbes drawing Calvin as a heavily bleeding accident victim. Calvin loved Hobbes’s gory art and said that he would give Hobbes 25% of the prize money. Hobbes replied, “What!? I did all the work. I should get the 75%!” They soon settled on fifty-fifty but both looked angry about it. In the last panel, Calvin commented to us, “A good compromise leaves everyone mad.” This was shown by the fact that Calvin and Hobbes had both started off happy with Hobbes’s drawing but quickly went to being angry with one another as they both wanted 75% of the prize money. Of course, it was Susie who won the five dollars.

It reminds me of the two months I lived in a rural community, and I was forced to go out and play football in addition to recess. I didn’t know the rules, and the coach never bothered to tell me them. I’d thought going out once in the cold of November and December had been more than enough. Still, it was a nice area to live.

The halfback can’t tackle the shortstop unless the pivot has committed a foul against the bowler.

This is not going to end well.

Only if he’s behind the line of scrimmage.

You can tackle the shortstop , but only outside the 3-point line.

First graders are likely to still be playing T-ball.

Good lord, I was Calvin….

Cal’s knowledge of baseball rivals his knowledge of the world. But he is young and eventually will adapt to the latter if not the former. Watch out, World!!

Calvin would be a big fan of the Savannah Bananas!

IF the coach makes you the halfback, you may tackle the shortstop. IF he makes you the fullback then you must not tackle the shortstop BUT you can take out the umpire IF your team is behind by more than 5 goals. I would want to play the power forward as you can then take two laps around the diamond any time a strikeout occurs in the 3rd, 5th, or 7th set but not if the score is love 15 due to rain or snowstorm. js If I think of some more rules that might help I’ll let you know………….

You could then. Today, not so much.

They always forced gym class and playing sports. We all hated it.

No, because then you would both be playing defense.

You’re only allowed to tackle the 2nd baseman, Calvin.

There will always be some adult, who wants to squeeze the joy out of life. Sigh.

They can make me button my collar and stand quietly in line, but I refuse to grow up. There’s a 12 year old boy hiding inside this old man. Curse all the grown ups, who sole purpose in life, is to wring all the happiness from kids.

Reminds me of “Basebrawl” from Mad magazine. (Yes, I’m THAT old)

They call the infield fly rule when you do that.

Calvin has a great idea, have tackle in baseball.

Oh, Calvin, even I know more about baseball than that! You can only tackle the umpire!

Baseball can be a very boring game for kids. Depending on your position, it can be just a lot of standing around.

If only Calvin could convince them to adopt Calvin Ball, instead. That would be beginning of the end, the beginning of insanity to the end of humanity. “But what a ride!” ;-p

Enquiring minds want to know…

Calvin’s got a very valid point!

Tackling the shortstop will get you put in the penalty box.

Calvin has lived all his life in an alternate world. I often wish I could do that myself.

They both pitch, bat, run, and catch all at once? My this sounds like a busy game.

When I was at bat at school, they told me to bunt. Isn’t bunting bad? No, that’s a balk. I don’t know any better.

OMG hopefully he won’t make the team

Schoolyard baseball has umpires?

Calvin could have told Susie and Moe and the other kids he doesn’t know how to play baseball the real way. Of course when I was in school, I learned to play the real way in P.E/gym class.

I rather watch Calvin play baseball than MLB.

LOL… Cavin, you can be Offensive Lineman on the baseball team. What a mess.

I tackled a tight end once. Now we have four kids, not so tight anymore. Hee hee.

Calvin you got it wrong again! Only the quarterback can tackle a shortstop and thats only when they’re on a par 3 hole!! The fullback can only tackle the catcher after the 3rd out.. Baseball is easy once you learn a few rules! lol

Make Calvin the umpire. That’ll make the game interesting for everybody.

That’s how you pick up the spare.

Don’t worry Calvin. Like A LOT of kids nowadays, you might end up with that proverbial phone in your face too!

In a brawl following a hit-by-pitch London Prize Ring rules apply!

No, but if you pitch, you are allowed to bean the team mascot…

I would have advised Calvin to take up wrestling. It’s just you and the other fella (or girl, as the case may be). If you gouge an eye or toss them from the ring, you can be id’d as a heel and bask in the pop of the crowd. Enjoy!!

Try tackling him and see.

I never really liked baseball

I made my first run today

That last line shows he has a lot to learn about baseball.

He signed up for baseball, not softball