I have a lot to say in this post, so bear with me as the thoughts come out. Yes, that is me ripping one to the right side, over the fence, over the lights, and into the night. This was a slow pitch softball game I was invited to play in a month ago. The "swing" is still there, but I am not as fast as I used to be. Father time creeps up every year. LOL. When I run, it takes me a lot longer to get going AND maybe more importantly to stop! I still love the game. I love the comeraderie. I love hearing guys rip each other, telling jokes, and laughing in the dugout. Grown men, lots of cussing, and a need to let off some steam. I often think about the great times with the Smash Softball team I played on, and even the teams I played with before that. So many different people, players, and fond memories.
Friday July 21, 2023-
I will always remember this day because it was the day I got to play in the same slow pitch softball game as my son. The other team had some problem getting enough players so they actually played the game with nine guys. The second baseman was catching a line drive near second base and landed awkwardly. All of us old guys "cringed" as the player tried to get up. I think he really messed up his hamstring. He had a hard time walkin off so I think it was really bad.
Well, Lil' Shaka who is now 14 years old comes and watches the games. This year he has asked me to play several times. 😀 I told some of the guys on the other team that Lil' Shaka could play for your guy that is injured. "Yes we'd love to have him!" So I grabbed him from the bench, and told him he was in on the other team.
1st At Bat
I could tell he was excited to step to the plate. I was playing first base so I had a good view. He swung at the second pitch and popped it straight back! Ha Ha. Our catcher caught it and that was three outs. I know he was upset. He told me so many times that he thinks he can crush a softball, so I know he was upset.
2nd At Bat
The game went on and he finally got back up to the plate. This time was a bit different, or maybe a lot different. He's an athlete. Athletes figure it out. Again, second at bat he took a pitch. Then, Boom! The second pitch he hit it on a line drive into left field. The whole crowd yelled whoa! I have to admit for a 14 year old to hit a ball that hard...even I was amazed. The left fielder had to go back quick and made a great play on the ball for an out. He turned a lot of heads and I think he'll get some hits next time.
A Special Night
This was the first game we played in together. I hope at some point this year he gets a chance to sub for our team so I can play with him on the same team. We both had a ton of fun, and he made some comments that it was the most fun he had all year playing ball. I thought that was pretty awesome that he would say something like that. I do worry about that though...I think the baseball game at the lower levels is SO SPECIALIZED and SO SERIOUS now that the kids actually don't enjoy the game for what it is. I also think a lot of kids these days don't actually watch Major League Baseball. They are NOT baseball fans. That is so unfortunate, because there is a gap or a disconnect between the lower levels of the game to the MLB. I could go on and on about this, but that is for another post. All in all, I was grateful I could play in a game with my son and I hope this happens several more times before I am completely done.
The Fever
I think Lil' Shaka got "The Itch" or "The Fever" after getting a chance to play his first softball game. I told him don't fall in love yet, you have a ton of baseball to play before you play slow pitch softball all the time. The next day he wanted to buy a 14 inch softball glove for the outfield! LOL. It was good to see him get excited about the game. That is what it is all about at the end of the day. Men getting to play a kids game, and it is played for the love of the game.
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