It's just a game. It's only a game. But the game is baseball, and it is full of metaphor and lessons that can be brought to our lives. On Wednesday night, the LA Angels and the Chicago White Sox were locked in a one-all tie in the bottom of the ninth inning. White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski swung and missed for strike three and the third out of the inning. The Angels' catcher threw the ball toward the mound and ran toward the dugout as they headed for extra innings. As many people know now, that did not occur.

Home plate umpire Doug Eddings signaled strike three and an out, but Pierzynski ran to first on the faint hope that the catcher trapped the ball. For those who need a refresher on the rule, here's my best attempt: If the ball hits the ground on a swinging strike three and first base is open, the batter may run to first base. The catcher must throw the ball to first base to record the out. The Angel's catcher, Josh Paul, assumed he caught the ball cleanly and rolled the ball slowly toward the mound as is typical of catchers at the end of an inning, so Pierzynski reached first without a throw.

All the umpires declared him safe, and arguments ensued. Did the catcher trap the ball? Did he catch it cleanly? Who paid off the umpires? What's up, Blue? Upon my first glance, it appeared that the catcher caught the low throw cleanly. Every glance since has not changed my mind. The next White Sox batter, Joe Crede hit a double which scored Pierzynski and ended the game. Controversy galore.

What is the lesson we can take from this incident? Is it really just a silly game with silly rules that backfire on the players by the umpires? YES! THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT IS!

Life is also a silly game with silly rules that backfire on us by the rulings of others. If you work a job and do everything you're supposed to do, your boss can still walk up to you and tell you YOU'RE FIRED. Your superior can cite some specific reason, or just give you the heave ho without an explanation. You're out, go back to the dug out.

Sometimes, the bizarre rulings benefit you. By running to first, Pierzynski made sure every opportunity was exhausted. In life, if you work every angle to succeed, you will catch a break now and again.

Sometimes, THE MAN GETS IT WRONG, AND YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. My President declared war with bogus intelligence. I could argue and protest as much as I want about missing WMDs, but it doesn't change the call. Baseball mimics life, and life mimics baseball.

Playoff baseball is full of missed calls and incorrect decisions by umpires. In 1985, my Royals were blessed with such a call. Jorge Orta was called safe at first to start the bottom of the ninth of Game 6 of the World Series. The St. Louis Cardinals were winning the game 1-0 and the series 3-2. If they could get through the ninth, they would win the World Series. The call unraveled them, and a little known player named Dane Iorg hit a pinch hit single later in the inning to score two runs for the Royals. The next night, the Royal would blow out the Cardinals 11-0 and win their one and only World Series. Sometimes, the gods are on your side. Sometimes, they are not.

The White Sox now lead the ALCS 3-1, and that call may become the big memory that helps Chicago win their first World Series since the Black Sox debacle in 1919. That's a whole other story, metaphor and lesson to learn from baseball, but I'll save you my commentary and just tell you to watch Eight Men Out.

It's just a game, it's only a game. But I still learn a great deal about how the way things are from watching baseball. Next up, The World Series.

Chris Jungle can find meaning in almost anything.