SwirlsOnline Blog

So due to the fact that I am a bit of a hobby hopper, I tend to try a little of many things and master none of them. This would be the case with a little game called softball. A friend of mine came to me with a speech that her team needed players in order to keep going, so despite the fact that I haven’t played since gym in high school, I say I’ll join. How could I say no to such a plea?

The first few games went predictably enough. Swing and miss, right field, and glad to be sitting out half of the game because we had enough players that I was not needed for all of it. This is especially suspicious seeing as I only joined the team because she didn’t have enough players. But don’t get me wrong, I didn’t mind warming the bench. Oh no, in fact, I did learn a little on how to keep score and that was challenging enough. I also had a chance to enjoy sitting outside without the stress of knowing that I was going to strike out again. But believe me, while I am a very poor player, I didn’t feel too badly because the team is nice and supportive of all of its players. Some new friends of mine that I met there were also new and nervous, so I wasn’t alone.

Oh, and also due to the fact that I was one of the few standing around when our catcher of the day got tired, I ended up stepping into that position at the end of game 1, and goodbye to my short but stellar career as a right fielder. Sigh. Catcher is all well and good if they don’t expect me to actually catch the ball. I can throw it back to the pitcher, and that seems to be the most they expect of me. Sweet.

Then came today’s game. A lovely 80-degree day with my allergies behaving themselves and sleeping quietly. I get to the field, courtesy of a ride from a friend since I come directly from work and the train. I find out that the other catcher is out for this one because she isn’t feeling well. Not good…I have to catch for the whole game. Oh boy. But in the spirit of the team, I figure, it can’t be all that much harder than standing back there for half a game.

Much to my surprise, I am actually catching the pitches at a rate of about 85% versus my prior rate of about 5%. Sweet! But then comes the kicker. Because I am not sitting out the first half, I am actually 3rd in the batting order. Criminitly, no! I am used to going up to bat once, striking out, and then happily bouncing off of the field until it is my time to catch again.

Do the math with me. If I am 3rd up to bat, there is no way that I won’t have to go up in the first inning. Can’t possibly get 3 outs with only 2 people. Rats, that’s stress right there. No warm up, no time to let others play better first. I hang my head. I grab some bat that is leaning against the fence, pretend to do some practice swings like that is really going to help me, and take deep breaths.

Batter 1, hits it strong and goes to 1st base. Batter 2, also hits it strong, both runners advance a base. Batter 3, oh wait…that’s right, it’s ME! Well, at least I know that I can’t possibly get all 3 outs at once. So there is a little stress relief. Whoo, I step up to the plate.

Ball 1. Ball 2. Swing.. and… a HIT! I actually managed to tap the ball in the right direction. In that lovely little zone where either the pitcher or the catcher has to run to get it. I actually make it to 1st base! Oh no, now what? I haven’t been here before. Luckily we had base coaches to tell me what to do.

“If it’s a grounder, run. If it’s air, two steps wait, run, come back to me if out.” What? Are you speaking in tongues? I don’t comprehend. Speak a little slower please… RUN!!!!

Oh no, another batter hits, I am freaking out. RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN STOP!!! Breathe in, breathe out… Some stranger is yelling things at me, I think I am supposed to know her. Oh right, isn’t she on our team? What is she saying? Why is everyone speaking gibberish? What…RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN STOP! NO WAIT, DON’T STOP! Some other stranger is waving wildly at me. She seems to be wearing our uniform shirt, keep going? RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN…HOME BASE…SAFE!!!

And that my friends is all that went through my head for my very first run of any season anywhere. This makes me feel proud. Isn’t the game over? I did my part. Oh man, it’s only the first inning.

After that, all I can say is that the softball gods were smiling today. I was actually catching pitches, I went up to bat twice more and hit the ball both times. Granted, I only made 1 run, but man, that was enough for me.

Now I just have to work on playing the actual catcher position…