A casual visit from a column reader at the Bangor Mall triggered interest in today’s piece.

“Do you ever write anything funny?”

Well, truth be known, I’ve only tackled the lighter side of sports a time or two in print, but I thought today might be as good a time as any to address some of the humorous things I witnessed firsthand in my career in sports.

Thoughts turn immediately to a slow-pitch softball tournament in Caribou. I was a pitcher for an L.C. Tyler insurance company softball squad.

The stage was set for the day by a female fan who badgered any opponent of her favorite hometown Aroostook County teams – and there were several – with a laughing box if the opposition made an error or an out. You’ve seen those devices: a small little box. Push a button. Out comes raucous, annoying laughter.

Well, this set the tone for one of the most incredible fielding plays I’ve ever witnessed in softball or baseball, for that matter.

Bobby Cayford was roaming the outfield for us that day when a long fly ball was hit in his direction. For the record, Bobby was as good an athlete to come out of our area who never got the publicity or the recognition that others received.

Well, the ball took off, and so did Mister C. We could tell at our infield positions that he had a bead on the thing. Suddenly, he settled under it, snagged it, then smacked into the plywood outfield fence and just kept running.

Bobby ran through the fence as if it were made of paper, righted himself, then threw back into the infield, who were as stunned as delighted.

Bob’s catch was fabulous, but it ranks right up there with the funniest plays I’ve ever seen. Bobby was so casual about it that when he flicked the ball back into the infield, he acted as if he had been doing it all his life.

I knew from an early age that I wanted to be a coach. Having said that, I admit that I was allowed to spend a lot of time following a lot of my favorite mentors around in their day-to-day duties.

One of those gentlemen was Bangor High football coach Gerry Hodge. One particular day after practice – I was not on the team – Hodge was approached by a rugged lineman, who was complaining about a backache.

“Two aspirin, kid,” the coach said. “That will help.”

The next day, the kid entered the locker room, approached the coach, then said, “They – the aspirin – didn’t work.” He pulled up his large jersey and showed the coach where he had taped them to his back.

Keeping a straight face – none of us knew how – Hodge took the boy into his office and explained politely what he had meant in his initial instruction.

The story is timeless – and funny.

The funniest of all times, however, had to be Bangor High JV basketball player Andy Soldati’s shot from the Bangor Auditorium floor that somehow found its way up and in from 10 feet down. By the way, Sol was sitting in the lane on the floor at the time.

Thoughts of that one always leave me smiling.

30-Second Time Out

Add Internet blogger to retired hoop coach Bob Cimbollek’s impressive list of credentials.

Cimbollek is now answering hoop-related questions under the heading of “Ask Coach Cimbollek questions about the game” for mainebasketballreport.org’s Web site.

Cimbollek is currently a high school and college basketball referee in Eastern Maine.

BDN columnist Ron Brown, a retired high school basketball coach, can be reached at bdnsports@bangordailynews.net