I Spoke Too Soon

Given my last post, you'd think I'd be super excited to get back on the ball field to play mixed slo-pitch with my hubby. And I kind of was. I even got to play on diamond one at Softball City where I set several scenes in Out of Her League. And like Christa, I got to play catcher. I know the position of catcher in slo-pitch is totally benign, but still. I haven't seen a ball hit at me in anger in years, so that was the safest place for me. After last night? Not so much. Ah, the irony...

You see this dog here? He's wearing the same expression I had on my face after the game. He'd have played better than I did last night. Certainly would have had a better arm. I've got all sorts of excuses. It's been over 18 months since I touched a ball. Seven years since I've played a full season. We haven't had a practice. The ball was wet. Slo-pitch is a stupid game anyway.

Do I sound bitter? Thought so. But damn it, I expect better from myself when I hit the field. I don't care that I was a fastpitch pitcher. I had a damn good arm in my day. And hitting a slo-pitch? Please. The thing hangs up there for half an hour before it comes down. Surely go God I can smoke the thing into the outfield. But no. I went one for three with a weak line drive into center field. Behind the plate, I was pathetic. I mean, Christa would be cringing in horror. You'd think I'd never thrown a ball in my life. Couldn't even get it back to the pitcher consistently, and he's six two with an arm span almost as wide. Kind of a bit target to miss, if you catch my drift. But I managed. Fielding a bunt, I promptly launched it over my first baseman's head into right field. Two runs scored.

Rusty? Not even near strong enough an adjective. I sucked *ss. Seriously. After the game on the way home I patted my hubby's knee and told him to find another lady to replace me. His eyebrows went up. "It's your first game in forever. You just need to get back into it." Yeah, yeah. Blah, blah, blah.

So I stewed most of the night. Stupid, stupid game. I'm still so embarrassed! I was on the Canada Games Team for crying out loud! Yeah, it was a long time ago, but still. I can't stand playing if I don't perform well.

Okay, deep breath. I'm giving it one more game, and if things don't improve, I'm done. It will drive me insane to go out there and humiliate myself repeatedly. I'd rather be home working on my next book :)

On a much happier note, I will be interviewing author Katie Reus on Friday August 14th. One lucky commenter will win a digital copy of her latest romantic suspense release, Finding Hope. See you then!