Finally got on the field

[IRISHMAFIA]

After a few rainouts, I finally got in my first "live" softball since August last night.

You know how you want to use your first couple of games to get back in the swing of things? Get you rhythm on the pitches and mechanics, get the blood flowing while hustling into position for that good call?

Well, these were not the games for that. It was a very low, and I mean LOW level of co-rec softball. In the twelve innings played, I had over 18 Ks including three called and four swinging. Only one DP and about five Infield Fly calls.

I guess I should have known it was going to be a long night when I walked up to the field and a coach asked the distance between the bases. His pitcher warming up starting two steps behind the pitcher's plate and walked through his delivery. That's when I hustled out the and instructed him on the proper method of pitching. He says, "Thanks, I've never done this before." Same team wanted to play shorthanded with two EP. Man, I'm already thinking about the beer in the cooler and I haven't even given ground rules yet!

Well, being rulesbook-anal type of guy, it was difficult, but that strike zone in the first game just had to open up after five walks in the top of the 1st inning. Nose to toes, if it gets past the plate and you can reach it, swing!

Second game provided much better pitching and the strike zone readjusted. I talked to the coaches about it prior to the game and they understood. Well, at least one did, the other just had a what-am-I-doing-here glare in his eyes.

Okay, got some decent pitching. Problem is that the batters still couldn't hit the ball well and the defenders were equally inept in the field.

Also, had to give a clinic once an inning. Why can't we tag her out after the "sliding base" kicks away when the runner slides in safely? Why does the male batter get second on a walk? Why does the female have to hit with one out, but not two? What's an infield fly? Can't he catch the dead-ball for an out? Why can't we play the men in the OF and the women in the IF? Line up card, what's that?

Oh well, at least the season is underway and I got that type of game out of my system.

Just thought I would share.