Solubility

Abstract

There was a park near my house when I was growing up and during the summer months a group of us boys would go there and divide into two teams to play baseball. Usually everyone was selected to be on one of the teams but the wait could be agonizingly long for those of us who were likely to be among the last selected. Everyone wanted to be one of the first ones selected because that would mean that they were considered to be one of the better players. However, the fact that someone was selected first did not mean that they were the best in all areas. Joe could hit the ball a mile and make super catches in the outfield, but he could not pitch and did strike out more than some others; Don was a good pitcher, but he certainly did not hit the ball very far; and Jack could play in the infield like no one else on either team. As the teams were chosen, the same few would be among the last. There was George who was just a great kid and everyone wanted to be around but did not play ball well; Bob made everyone laugh and so he would be chosen; then it would be my turn. I tended to be a holdout with the expectation that my contract would be re-negotiated, but, to no avail, and I would always be put in the position where I could cause the least amount of damage. This was not all bad for me since it allowed me the time to think about science (this was before girls) but as a result my career as a baseball player was significantly affected.