Softball: One of life's cruel reminders...

[kybearfuzz]

... that I am not 21 anymore. And the majority of the team is over 40 and play better than I do.

We did very well last night, winning 11-8 against Union Station. It was close the first three innings. I didn't play until the fourth. The good news is that I did pretty good in right field (where they place the medicore players, I've been there before) and I got a base hit to first (thank heavens for the batting cage practice). I got out at second. I could have slid into base, but I didn't want to wreck my nice legs (heh!).

Running at the gym yesterday morning + playing softball last night = OUCH this morning!

Next game is 8:50 PM on Monday against Knox Jocks.

Comments

[bigreddee.livejournal.com]

Please go easy on yourself...it takes awhile to get up to speed.

Oh, and can I tell you a way you can make yourself feel more useful in right field (this comes from years of experience playing there, and it's a reason I actually like playing there now)? Back up the throws to first base. Every time. Obviously, if a ball is hit really quickly to an infielder, there's not going to be much you can do, running all the way from right field to first base to back up any overthrows, but the closer you can get from the outfield to the infield, you might be able to grab a bad, overthrown ball from third to first (picture it in your mind), and stop a runner from advancing to second base. I've actually thrown someone out at second who thought he had an easy base because he didn't see me back up the throw.

Most teams think that the right fielder is unimportant, but running in to be an extra infielder (especially when a runner gets caught between bases and a pickle begins, and you need as many players there in case of an overthrow) is super important, and it changes the way you as a batter look at an outfielder. Let me tell you, as a batter...if I think there's a weak right fielder, I'm going to change my stance and hit to them to make them prove it to me (I did this twice on Sunday, getting a single, a double, and scoring 3 RBIs!) There are very subtle ways you increase your confidence by thinking ahead of the game, and as you get even better, your speed increases, and you'll then get to play where there's typically more action (right center, left center, etc.)

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I try to back up the first base man as often as I can, usually running in when the ball is hit to third or short. I was taught that long ago, but it's good to hear it works on occasion :)

Actually, my hitting needs work, leaning how to better direct the hit to where I want it to go. The twin is the jock in this family, not me.

Big, big thank you hug from one right fielder to another! You make me feel good :)

[bigreddee.livejournal.com]

Want to know how I hit to right field (I'm a righty)? When you're up at the bag, move your right foot back about half a foot to a foot. This plants your body in the direction of swinging to the opposite field. Try it!

And you should be feeling good...otherwise, it's just not worth it! :)