Group activities..........

When I first started working with this group of 20 somethings...it was still warm out...and we were at the end of softball season....I was hearing many comments about the softball team...but the one I heard the most was, "We never win".....but they went out there week and after week and had a good time....now, fast forward to the next season...I decided to attend a game and see for myself how bad they were.....(if this is any hint, they let me play)...the girl playing catcher ( who joined the team to meet guys, and ironically , none of them talked to her) would let the ball hit the ground, then shuffle around and stop it with her shins...then pick it up and throw it back to the pitcher....Hell...I can at least catch it with a mitt...so they let me play. (Mostly I just wanted to tell people that I took up softball at 51.) So I played a few games...either as catcher, or out in right field where I could do no damage.

There actually were some pretty good players on the team....but they were by far out-numbered by the inefficiencies of the rest of the team to really make a difference. It doesn't matter how far you can throw a ball, if the one you are throwing to, can't catch it. But...this was a group activity...so, many of the other servers showed up in support of the team. (Did I mention that the softball complex where said games were held...also sold beer?)

Oh! then there's that batting part! I actually went to the batting cage to see if I could even hit the ball.....I could....cool....however, the batting cage is not a good indicator as to how far you can hit the ball...so my goal became, to see if I could hit it past the pitcher....then ultimately I decided that if I ever got a base hit...I could then retire. Thank God that happened sooner, rather than later........as soon as I touched first base....they called me back and put in a pinch runner....(a wise decision)