The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

While playing tennis and chasing tennis balls at Waitsburg High School, a song from “My Fair Lady” played through my head. “Why can’t a woman be more like a man?” became “Why can’t a tennis court be more like a bowling alley?” Or even a pool table. Bowling alleys and pool tables have bumpers, gutters, and pockets that return the balls to you. Tennis courts were not designed for easy ball retrieval.

I was constantly chasing tennis balls as they landed on the other court, under the fence, in the parking lot, on the school lawn, and in the street. I realize that being a better player would help,...