Cricket - The "GENTLEMAN's" sport

The gentleman's sport,
a just as fine of a sport
perfect for the lanky teen
of the female variety
who has only played one other,
(if you count arriving to class on time
right before as the bell rings
as a full body workout.)

Lined up against women aged fourty five and more
Who wield a bat like straight outta medieval jousting lore.
their knees crack
every time the bat smacks
a ball straight towards
your eyes until you see heaven's doors.

To be respectful
her voice never raises, 
only quivers politely, patiently,
ever seemingly on best behavior,
like she didn't just crypto scam last night your neighbor over.
Nevertheless, she seems to be the 'cute team mascot',
a human trophy they pat on the head
when she hits or bowls the other team dead.

Her current placement is a tragedy, 
directly in front of the batter.
Intimidation works no wonders
on middle aged women you could call as your mother.
A position so dangerous
that 'dodging a flying ball'
feels like training for the Olympics
and possibly the next season of Survivor.

The perks of youth, truly:
getting hit in the face
without a hint of insurance benefits,
learning humility
from women who call you 'sweetie'
while simultaneously breaking your dreams,
and discovering that even the most polite nod
cannot protect you
from the wrath of fifty year old arms
hurled like catapults.

Ah, yes,
the unparalleled joys
of being young,
lanky, and inexplicably polite
in a world that is mostly forty five year old killer mothers
in disguise.

A 'refined pastime,' They insist.
Mind you, the only thing of mine refined, 
is the bridge of my nose after last Saturday's game.