but by the mid to late 70s dodgeball was a way for popular kids to fuck with unpopular ones with the teacher's permission.

I'm not sure a kid's popularity or unpopularity necessarily correlates with ability to play dodge ball, or any sports activity.

I'd think a 13 year-old would be too physically immature to safely carry a baby to full term.

I think she can do it fairly safely, but the toll on her own body is considerable. Making a whole new human is taxing enough for a full-grown adult female body; it makes unbelievable demands on a body that still needs another 5-7 years of growth and maturation itself.

I kicked ass at foursquare.

For some reason, my little social group's favorite recess game was a thing we invented where one of us would close our eyes, and then have a Koosh ball thrown at them, and then have to find it with their eyes closed. It was hysterically funny to those of us with our eyes open, and slightly dangerous for whoever had their eyes closed.

kickball

Could you throw the ball at the runner to tag them out? We did.

I'd think a 13 year-old would be too physically immature to safely carry a baby to full term.

This does need to be considered, but most women are technically capable of carrying a baby to term at that age. Many women are full grown at that age. Being forced to do so against her will is yet another matter.

Dodgeball freaks me out in theory, but the games I have seen weren't as bad as the Buffista experiences. My overly protective maternal side wasn't pinged. Parents yelling at their kids when they are playing sports freaks me out more.

The way we played it, nope. At least not after the time the kid got knocked out when the ball hit him in the head and he crashed into the fence. Lots of blood. And lots of screaming first graders.

I was surprisingly good at kickball. Nothing is more fun than having the outfield all come way in, and then kicking the ball over their heads. NOTHING.

Could you throw the ball at the runner to tag them out? We did.

Um, how else do you get someone out? Oh. Catch the ball and tag the person with your hand? Lame.

I'm not sure a kid's popularity or unpopularity necessarily correlates with ability to play dodge ball, or any sports activity.

But a kid's popularity or lack thereof does correlate with the other kids' desire to hit him/her in the head with the ball.

I never played dodgeball with a big rubber ball. I played it with nerf balls, though, and 4-5 at a time so it was a lively game. Also, there were rules to the effect that if you got knocked out, you stood on the sidelines and were allowed to direct the people still in the game, so your side would win. I think the game dynamic is a lot different if the ball can't hurt you.

I did play kickball, though, and I think it was the last organized sport I was any good at.

I forget the name of the organization that did the ad, but I've seen something like it before. Is this some conservative religious thing?

tommy, it might be. But my doctor did say that female fertility does drop significantly as you get into your 30's. Physically, women are better off giving birth in their 20's (according to my doctor). But that's just the physical ability of a younger person. I think older women (late 20's and older) tend to actually plan their pregnancies and get better prenatal care, resulting in healthier babies. It's also more dangerous for older women (late 30's and 40's) to have babies.

Personally, I'm glad I traded a quick physical recovery for emotional stablity and financial security.