Curler refuses to cancel his curling competition to attend his niece's baptism: 'I paid about $200 to participate and my team would be short a player if I didn't show up.'

Author image for Emmy Pratt
Emmy Pratt • Writer and Editor
Feb 7, 2026 8:00 AM EST

He's got his priorities straight.

If you've never played adult recreational sports, you have no idea how much it can take over your life. I don't mean to brag, but I've been playing adult recreational dodgeball for two years, and it has not only taken over my life but also my personality. I do not go a day without talking about something dodgeball-related, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm spending money I used to save on flights to play dodgeball across the country just for the love of the game. It might not be for everyone, but it's certainly for me.

Rec sports really check so many boxes that often remain unchecked for adults. It allows you to be consistently physically active. Most adults aren't getting the exercise they need, and sports give them a chance to do so while having much more fun than they'd have at the gym. They are also incubators for making new friends, which many adults struggle with, especially when they move to a place where they don't know anyone. If you're a single person living in a city, you're probably spending a lot more time with your friends than you are with your immediate family, and that's okay! That's so normal for that particular season of life, and you can't always put family first when you're trying to prioritize yourself. I'm not saying you should miss a family wedding for a night of dodgeball, but you shouldn't put your life on hold to be constantly available.

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  • Curling stone and broom on ice sheet
    via Paris Bilal (Unsplash+)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • The uncle in this story plays curling, a favorite of the Winter Olympics. He has a curling competition coming up, and he just found out it's on the same day as his niece's baptism. He doesn't want to drop out of the competition because he spent money to be there and doesn't want to let his team down, but his sister isn't thrilled with his decision.

  • Am I wrong for not cancelling a long-planned sports competition to attend my niece’s baptism?

    My sister invited me to her child's baptism about a month in advance. The date was already chosen when she told me, and she also asked me to be the godfather.
    via u/MaybeThisTimeIllWin
  • Baby getting baptized
    via Josh Applegate

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • The problem is that I already have a major curling competition that same weekend. I've been looking forward to this event all year, paid about $200 to participate, and I'm part of a team (of four) that would be short a player and let down if I didn't show up.
    via u/MaybeThisTimeIllWin
  • A group of people standing next to each other on an ice rink
    via Yunus Tuğ (Unsplash+)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • We tried to get into this competition last year and missed out (filled up in minutes) and this year we've been really excited, bought outfits, planned around it, and have been talking about it all season.
    via u/MaybeThisTimeIllWin
  • I told my sister I couldn't make the baptism on that date and asked if there was any flexibility.
    via u/MaybeThisTimeIllWin
  • She said no and has been very upset since, saying she would "drop everything" for me and that this shows where my priorities areare.
    via u/MaybeThisTimeIllWin
  • -I'm still happy to be the godfather and be involved in the child's life, I just don't feel right cancelling a long- standing commitment and letting my team down for a symbolic ceremony I understand why she's disappointed, but I also feel like I wasn't really given a chance to say whether the date worked for me, and now I'm being guilt-tripped for not moving heaven and earth.
    via u/MaybeThisTimeIllWin
  • AITA for keeping my commitment and not cancelling the competition?
    via u/MaybeThisTimeIllWin
  • Eestineiu You're meant to be asked to be the godfather, not ordered to be one... She didn't ask you, she told you to show up. You can say no with clear conscience.
    via u/Eestineiu
  • schec1 NTA, the baptism is conflicting with OP's already set plans and cancelling the plans would affect other people. The parents should have consulted OP about the date before scheduling to see if he was free. Good luck in the tournament.
    via u/schec1
  • AnxietyFueledLoser NTA. Your sister will need to learn real fast that the world doesn't revolve around her child.
    via u/AnxietyFueledLoser
  • Silent_Caregiver2086 So she wants you to be the godfather but you weren't included in the arrangements? Weird, it's like being proposed but not considered for the wedding date arrangements (saving obvious proportions) NTA
    via u/Silent_Caregiver2086
  • ColonelBelmont NTA. That frivolous baptism date is important to only her. You're pre- existing commitment is important to you and several other people.
    via u/ColonelBelmont
  • SavingsRhubarb8746 NTA. You had a longstanding prior commitment that also means you would be letting down other people if you cancelled. That's all that matters.
    via u/SavingsRhubarb8746

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Tags

competition sports winter sports godfather niece curling uncle sister mom team
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