'You're Killing Us, Buddy'

Well no one died and no one had to go to the hospital - although one and a half people almost had to. See, this girl was there, and she is pretty far along on her pregnancy. She was having pains and they thought the baby was coming. And they wondered why the father wasn't at the plate ready for his at-bat. Tsk tsk.

No baby, and he struck out. We let this one slide as he probably had something else on his mind.

But, one of the other team players commented that I was killing them. I don't know why. We did win, but we had to score 8 runs, I was only responsible for 4 I believe.

My first at-bat I had an in the park home run (yeah, boring, I know). But what was more impressive was I was the first batter for our team. One batter, one run and the game is all tied up going into the second inning.

And then we let them have 6 outs and 6 runs. Not the way to start off the game, ya think?

So, we started out in a hole and we needed to claw our way back up to 7 runs to make the game more interesting.

2 runs in the third inning, 1 in the fourth, 3 in the fifth and the game is all tied up. Somewhere in there I had 3 at-bats and 3 runs. One previously mentioned homerun, a single and a bunt single. Not necessarily a big evening hit wise, but I still managed to get on base and score some runs to get us back in the game.

Now, about the other team we played. They like to bunt. A lot. So, as an outfielder, I didn't get much action (I know, I'm selfish). So me and the other outfielders were relegated to spectators as we watched our pitcher pitch, hit batters and try and field bunts.

Boy was it interesting.

But in the last inning it did get interesting. We were all tied up going into the last inning. We were the home team, if we score the game is over and we win. If we don't score we go into extra innings and continue until one team has more runs than the other to end a full inning. Rules get real simple.

So we start to bat in the last inning. My dad starts out with a single and moves to second on a passed ball - where the catcher fails to catch the ball the pitcher has pitched. The next batter flies out/strikes out/ gets out somehow. Either way there is one out when I get up.

Now the pitcher has realized I like to swing at the first pitch. I don't usually hit it, but I swing anyway. But I know he knows this, so I haven't swung at the first pitch the last two times up. I think he realized this also. But I don't know he knows this. So instead of throwing me a pitch on the outskirts of the strikezone he throws one right down the middle of the plate.

I get mad at myself for not swinging. That was a perfect pitch. It's like seeing a baby deer in the middle of the road and swerving to miss it. You just don't do it.

So I get back in the batter's box and await the next pitch. I don't know where it is, but I hit it. In fact, if you ask Ted Williams (although you can't now, he's dead with his head frozen in a Cryo lab in Arizona or something like that) he could read the writing on the ball (it's a good read, you should pick one up. Best seller's list for a couple weeks) as it left the pitcher's hand. Me? I can't tell you where the ball is where I hit it. Sometimes I can try and remember, like the homerun was up and outside. But I couldn't tell where this one was.

Anyway, I hit the ball to the right side (makes me think it was outside somewhat) just under the second baseman's glove for a single into right field. Right fielder picks it up and throws it in. I hesitate, see it's going to home, and take off for second.

Here my dad is trying to score the winning run from second. He says he was safe as the ball beat him to the plate but the catcher did not place the tag upon him until after he had touched the plate. Umpire did not see it that way, he thought the ball beat him and the tag was applied. The umpire has more say in the matter and called my dad out. So now we are tied with a runner on second (me!) and two outs (for those of you unfamiliar there are 3 outs per team's at bat).

Now our second batter gets up, and he hasn't hit the ball well all day. So I think about trying to steal third and hope for a passed ball to score the winning run. But then I remember the rule 'don't make the first or third out at third base.' But as I struggle with the decision the batter hits a lazy line drive into centerfield.

I tear around third base and score standing up. With the emphatic 'thud' of my cleat on home I have scored the winning run and the game is over. We have completed the comeback down 7-1 to win 8-7.

Exhilirating.

I finished 4-4 with 1 run, 1 RBI and 1 HR.

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And before the game we got an email from our manager/statistician. I'll let the numbers speak for themselves.

Brian ~ 20 Hits, 38 At Bats, reached base 23 times, 40 Total Bases, 1.053 slugging percentage, 5-Doubles, 3 Homeruns, 11 Extra Base Hits, 18 Runs Batted In, 6 multi-Hit games, tied with Don with 20 runs. (I lead or am tied for the lead in these catagories.)

So I think I am doing pretty well in this league. In fact they are trying to get me to play in another league with most of the team. A little more competitive. Let's see how I do then.

It's Like a Friday Game, Only Sooner

Yes, for some reason we played this week's game on Thursday, instead of Friday. And yet we played the Friday of the July 4th Weekend? Yeah, apparently people aren't looking at their schedules.

Anyway, as we are driving to the game it's raining. But we go anyway, just in case. So we get there and people are there, the ump has arrived, so we play on. Granted we started late as the other team had to grab some people because they didn't have enough. But we played. And the rain stopped. And it was good.

Now mind you, we had enough people that we didn't need anyone. And the other team had 9 people, the bare minimum. But they were without a suitable pitcher. This isn't like baseball where you can just throw anyone in to pitch (get it, throw?) because the motion is different in softball. Since it is a hard underhand throw it is hard to get used to. So we lent them three of our pitchers. Each for two innings (the last for the seventh, if they needed it). So, instead of facing another team we were really facing ourselves. Kinda.

But, anyway, their first pitcher had a lack of control. 4 straight balls and I was walked to first my first at bat. 4 balls and 1 strike I was walked my second at bat. My first two walks of the season. I don't like walking. Nothing in life is free and first is no exception. But when the ump says ball four, who am I to argue?

My third time up I hit a high and away pitch over the right fielders head. As I was racing around the bases I vaguely heard the other team tell me to slow down. As I got near the third baseman he had his hands up and was telling me to take it easy. And, being the sucker I am I slowed down and looked for the ball. The right fielder was no where near the ball yet, but still, had the ball been on the way into the infield I would have had to stay at third because I looked at the other team. If I had been thinking I would have rounded the bag at full speed and then looked for the ball as then I wouldn't have had to turn around. But it doesn't matter, I still hit another in the park homerun for my third of the season.

And for my fourth at bat I came away with a double. Well, actually I don't know what the official score was, for I hit in the right-center gap and made it to first fine, but the centerfielder had trouble picking the ball up on the move. I made it to second before the ball came in, but I don't know if his difficulty picking the ball up allowed me to get to second. Well, actually I know his difficulty picking it up allowed me to get to second, but I don't know if the official record keeper was thinking that way.

And for my fifth at bat they brought in thier only homegrown pitcher. She was pitching pretty well, slower than we were used to. And because of that most of us were out in front of the ball. With the bases loaded (but less than two outs) I lined a drive right at the shortstop who caught the ball. I was out but at least the inning wasn't over. Not that we needed those runs, but still, it sucks to leave runners on base.

So for the night I was 2-3 with two walks and a homerun. Not bad, it helps my on-base percentage and presumambly my batting average as well as my slugging percentage.

Oh, and we won 12-1. Just like Tuesday.

Just Call Me an All-Star

Hey, since my dad likes telling people how I do in softball (much to my dismay. Seriously. If I wanted someone to know I would tell them myself, don't you think? And since I don't tell them then that means I don't think they will care to know. And yes the blog and speaking are two totally different things. I am not forcing anyone into reading this. If they want to know how I do they can read it here, that way I don't take up any of their time by me personally telling them. And it would cost too much to call them.)

But anyway, I would like you to know that eleven games into the season I now lead the team in hits (18), total bases (34), slugging percentage (.971), runs batted in (16), doubles (4) and multi-hit games (5). I am tied for the lead with homeruns (2) and runs scored (17).

And although I don't think I lead the team in strikeouts, but I do have three. Which, I believe, is a lot. I don't like the idea of striking out. I understand that even good baseball (and softball players) get out about 6 or 7 times every 10 at-bats. But I'd rather not strikeout. A groundout, a popout, a lineout is all better than striking out. At least with those I've hit the ball. A strikeout is really bad because I didn't get the bat on the ball and I look like a loser. Kinda like Laird.

But seriously, don't call me an All-Star, the league doesn't have any All-Star game. And I'm content with that. Because, outside of this blog, I'm humble.

My Weekend Travels

Well the picture is too big and those little pictures on the right go over top the really big one. So in other words it is screwed up. That is why you have the thumbnail. But if you click it you get to read about my weekend. And you know you want to...

We Was Playing Football

Actually, we were playing softball. But with a score 25-4 (or was it 3?) it only seems like football. And we were on the high end of that score. So, we won. By a lot. It wasn't close after the second inning . In fact we were the visiting team and i think we scored the first few runs and never relenquished the lead.

And of course I am going to tell you how I did. It's only natural. It is my blog by the way.

First at bat: Triple down just inside first base down the right field line. 1 run scored.
Second at bat: Weak ground ball to the pitcher. Bad throw? Bad catch? Either way I was on second after the error and the throw home.
Thrid at bat: Long line drive over the left fielder's head for a double. A really long double. That's what happens when you play with retirees and they can't run fast.
Fourth at bat: Single up the middle, took second on the throw home.
Fifth at bat: For those of you counting, that's a single, double and a triple. All I need now is a homerun for the cycle. So what do I do? I bloop a single into left field. (They were playing me deep, I had to hit it soft.

So for the night I was 4 for 5 with 5 RBI's and three runs scored. Not bad. But I still wanted that homerun.

So, for the season (8 games so far) I now have 13 hits, 21 total bases, 13 RBI's, 4 multi hit games, and 3 doubles and 5 total extra base hits.

And with Chelsea coming down to see me play on Friday, I'm going to strike out everytime up.