I Still Have It! Do You?

In my dedication, or is it determination, to post something at least once per day, I’m taking a bit of a sidetrack here and posting about my recent experience in the world of adult softball. Why? Because I can that’s why. I mean what would you prefer I write about?

The recent acquisition of three virtually unknown defencemen? Nah, too boring.

The potential of Erik Gudbranson making the team this year against the competition of the above mentioned no names? Nope, save that for later.

Will Chris Higgins keep his nose clean and find his way back to the 20 goal mark? Some other time.

Life without Nathan Horton? Now there’s something….On second thought, I’m too lazy to write about it. Get it?

Or maybe you want to read about the recent acquisition of forward Michael Santorelli from the Nashville Predators? Here’s the quick lowdown on him. Can score in AHL, can’t in the NHL. A younger version of Jeff Taffe or Graham Mink. All you need to know.

So this past week, I was asked by my colleagues at the office to pariticpate in a softball game since they were short-handed due to some players that were hurt. I play in a Sunday morning league, but we’ve been off since May so, I might be a little rusty, but what the heck. I was asked beforehand what position I played in order to make me feel comfortable. Well, in my baseball life I played third base, and pitched. I could play first if needed, but if you put me anywhere near second base, I sticking my bat through your ear and out your arse! Five errors in one game will do that to you. I don’t care that it happened when I was 16, it still hurts! Bad memories die hard for me.

That said a couple hours later I received a text that I’d be starting at shortstop. What? Shortstop? At my age I can’t cover that ground I said,. And I also said, it’s a long throw! I was promptly told that it’s not as long as it is from third (liar), but you have a gun for an arm, so let’s start there and see how it goes. I don’t know where you heard about the gun reference, but ok, I’m a team player. You need my help, and that’s what I’ll do.

The shortstop experiment lasted but one inning. No fault of mine as I had no plays to make, yet there was an outfield problem and some switching would take place, as the opposition scored four runs in the top of the first. I would begin the second inning in my natural position of third base. Big smile! You won’t regret it coach….I mean Julio (the coach).

Needless to say, and I’m no spring chicken being over 40, hell I’m almost….nevermind. Anyway the long and short of it is, I went 3 for 3 at bat with a few rbi’s. Made a couple good plays at third, one which apparently was ESPN Top Ten worthy according to some. We won the game by a score of 24-6, and the game ended after four innings due to the run rule.

I wanted to keep playing. It felt good to be out there, and it felt good to compete and be able to still do the things I did when I was younger. Maybe not as quick, but at least I didn’t embarrass myself.

Thursday morning the coach, Julio asked me if I would play this coming week again. I said do you need me? He told me yes. You did a good job and you came as advertised. Hmmm. Thanks for the compliment. See you next week. Anyone know who my PR person is? Need to talk to them.

Ok, so after my arm is broken from patting myself on the back, why did I write this? Sometimes the competitive nature and passion for sports that we have needs to be justified, and or proven to ourselves that yes we can.

To my colleagues at the office, thanks for asking me to play! I had a blast and look forward to next week.