Dan's Papers - October 5, 2007

Dear Dan,
I read with particular interest your coverage of The Artists Writers Soft Ball Game. You see I was the nameless first base umpire you made reference to in the article. I agree with your assessment of the sometimes-thankless job of being an umpire but there are a few corrections you should be aware of. At the age of 81 I haven't loped in years. I was positioned between 1st and 2nd while making the call on Richard Weise's ball hit over the right field fence because their was a man on first and there were no other base umpires on the field to cover 2nd and 3rd.
Although I was out of position to get a good view of where the ball went over the fence there was no doubt in my mind it landed foul. The vitriolic exchange that ensued because of my call over looked a basic rule AND PREROGATIVE OF THE UMPIRE. Ask any kid who plays ball in the Bronx or for that matter any where in New York. That is when in doubt the DO OVER RULE TAKES PRECEDENCE.

I thought you were Mr. Nameless. - DR

Dear Dan,
While trying to avoid being stepped on by supermodels and Hedge Fund managers on Main Street, I noticed that Southampton was one word, while East Hampton was two. I saw this in a shop window and asked my dad why. He told me to be quiet and that it probably had to do with real estate prices.
I am a savvy seven-year-old and knew better, so I asked the really nice lady in the book store (where my dad bought me a 2008 Guinness Book of World Records to distract me). She said it had something to do with some town elder back in the 1600s. My dad said his name was Roger Waters. Is this true Dan? Please help.

I believe they all got switched around by the railroad, screwing up the old names, in 1880. - DR

Dear Dan,
Thank you so much for choosing my painting for the cover of last week's paper. It looks beautiful. It is a wonderful and much needed service that you are doing for artist and for the arts in general. Thank you.
I also was very impressed with your staff. Your art director, Kelly, was very helpful and personable in instructing me with the file that I sent her, and she did a wonderful job with the design.
Ms. Weiss, who was a delight to speak with, did a nice job with the interview. I have gotten many great comments on both the cover and Ms. Weiss's writing.
Thank you again and best regards,

It is a wonderful painting. - DR

Dear Dan,
"2 Hours 15 Minutes On The Hampton Jitney" (by Dan Rattiner September 14), was worth the fare. Why get upset the next time you fill up your car at a local gas station and then sit in traffic? You can look out the window, read a newspaper, magazine or book, listen to music or use your laptop. By letting the Jitney do the driving, you are also contribution to a cleaner environment by taking one car off the road.
My wife and I occasionally patronize the Fresh Meadow, Queens Multiplex Movie Theater. Once, a New York City Transit bus passed us by (guess we dressed with the Hampton look that day) thinking we were waiting for the Jitney. I suspect the franchise agreement, which allows Hampton Jitney to pick up, and discharge riders in Manhattan may have added a requirement to stop in Queens. Enjoy your future travels...

I think it does. - DR

Dear Dan,
I recently read your article about buying a sofa in Hildreth's. As a furniture salesperson at Hildreth's, I was rather surprised to read about your experience.
Firstly, anything, absolutely anything, you see on the floor can be purchased and delivered within a few days. Only because you chose to go with a special order, did you have to wait for delivery.
Secondly, I don't see the relationship between the value of your house and a sofa purchase. Most of my customers live in multi-million dollar homes and yet never find it necessary to mention this fact.
Thirdly, nothing we sell is made in Wisconsin. In the case of your sofa, it was made in North Carolina, where the majority of furniture is manufactured in this country. Also, you misspelled your interior designers name. Perhaps the Dan's Papers fact checker was on vacation the week you published this article...
I feel that the article you wrote was sloppily written and badly researched. Let's hope that in the future Dan's Papers can try a little better in both these areas.

House expensive, sofa expensive. - DR

Dear Dan,
Your article directs drivers going "west" on 27 to make the first left after the light at Abraham's Path. Don't you mean to say going "east?"
Stuart's is such a great shop; maybe a correction would be appropriate?

We're trying to confuse the hordes. -DR

Dear Dan,
This poem is dedicated to the wonderful physical therapy department at Southampton Hospital, Southampton, New York.

No Gifts Allowed

Although there are no gifts allowed
I give you my heart
I give you my soul
I want to thank you for making me whole
I felt like a bird with a broken wing
I didn't feel much like a pretty thing
We should help one another, if we can
It will make us better women and men
We are all Gods' creatures, you know
What we reap we shall sow