Due to the missing people, the lineup was reshuffled a bit. Normally I come in to bat lower in the order. Instead, I lead off... leading off I figured the best thing to do was make sure I got on base. I failed to do that my first 2 at bats - both of them dribbling towards shortstop and beating me to the bag. I was simply being impatient. Their pitcher wasn't doing anything special, and I found myself reaching for hits that I didn't need to. My third at bat I decided to wait until he actually gave me something worth hitting. He never did and I ended up being walked. Later that inning another batter brought me home for a run. My fourth, and last, at bat, saw the scores very close, and the pitcher finally gave me something that I could hit. I roped a long fly ball between left field and left center. Unfortunately for me their left center seemed to be a vacuum cleaner, and anything that went anywhere near him he caught. My best hit and he took a good catch. Oh well, that's the way the game works I guess.
In the field I did poorly - during warmup I was sneezing and had irritated eyes due to spring time allergies. They seemed to get better as the game started, but the sun got lower. The first ball (which was big and yellow) that came towards me got lost in the other big yellow ball in the sky, and I only managed to knock the ball down in front of me. Luckily they didn't have anyone in scoring positions, so keeping the ball in front of me was at least beneficial. 2nd ball that came to me I actually caught it when it counted, because they could have scored from it. Third ball I lost but luckily it didn't cost us.
I was proud of how Liz did. Short a girl we would have faced an automatic out every time that girl was due up to bat. Liz arrived a minute before that would have happened, and as luck would have it she was wearing sneakers. Not wanting to let the team down she said she'd play. She went down swinging her first 2 at bats, she looked nervous. After taking a walk I assured her there was nothing wrong with doing the same thing. A full count (3 balls and 2 strikes) recorded against her another ball came her way, and she was walked. That walk had her on 2nd base for what ended up being the most contentious play of the game...
Top of the 7th, 2 outs. Bases loaded, scores tied at 7. One of our good hitters steps up to the plate. He smashes a ball down the third base line - straight into the runner, Erin, on third base. Due to a rule I don't quite understand she was called out, and the inning was over. The decision was argued with the umpire, because it was big. A hit like that would have brought Erin and Liz home, and put us up by 2 runs. Instead the umpire ended the inning with the scores tied and a few minutes of play left. In the end one of their batters hit a big hit and they scored the winning run. It was a bit disappointing, but you can't win them all. We did pretty well in the end - in an 8-7 scoreline we held the opposition scoreless in numerous innings. Unfortunately, when they did score, they scored multiple runs.
There's always next week! I hope I don't lead off ever again!
2 comments:
And I hope i don't get hit in the leg by a would be grand slam ever again!! OUCH! Doesn't hurt anymore...just a littled bruised :)
You're going to have to show me your swing when I go over there...
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