It can only get better...maybe

Just another excellent night for playing baseball. Some even did. Others still made the attempt, but some fell a little bit short. Kudos to one and all just for showing up. Takes guts. As the season progresses and players get more practice under their belts, they come together as a team and play some most excellent ball. Of course that’s the basic theory behind playing the game but, in our case, it is sometimes an assumption and you know what happens when you assume. And, for some of us, it comes in the form of a public

display, most often out in the field, in front of all our friends and neighbours. Thank goodness, we are of the type that are not quick to judge, lest we be judged ourselves and, with our inconsistencies, we would quickly find ourselves on trial, with several witnesses and a jury that would be less than sympathetic. All in good fun, so most likely would only result in a misdemeanour, perhaps some community service but no long term interment so, unless you are already on probation, judge away, have some fun, open others to full frontal ridicule. Probably the only way most of us will learn, as nothing is usually gained from locking one away with a prison sentence, even one without chance of parole. You just become a hardened criminal, repeat your mistakes and, worst of all, miss next week’s game. Your punishment is simply to come out each week and play the game and thank the stars you get off that lightly. No matter how bad it gets, you will be forced to come out again and again, kibitz with your friends and neighbours, experience a lot of fun and play some ball, even if you sometimes find yourselves lacking on the play part. That’s where the ridicule part comes in. Immerse yourself in it. It’s all for a laugh. At least until the playoffs. Then comes the serious shit. Naw, just kidding, its just as fun as the regular season, so you may as well get used to the way things are.

So, even though we are technically supposed to get better with practice, there is always a few potholes left in our path that we are destined to hit, as indicated by the blowouts that occurred this week. I could say they were close, but that might be a little too far from the truth. If close only counts with horseshoes and grenades, some heavier artillery was probably needed to be able to call the games that. Lets just say the games were close together. That must count for something. Or enough. A few pointers for the week. Catching. Everyone is fitted with a glove that the ball fits into. Should probably try it. Seems simple enough but sometimes execution gets in the way. Try not to get ahead of yourself, keep your eye on the ball and your head away from it. I try to buck the trend. Throwing. You have the ball, you have a target, throw it. Try not to overthink or rush it. Thinking clouds the mind. Rushing is best left to football players. You’re doing well as long as your throwing does not make others throw up. Thankfully, most of us have a strong constitution. Pitching. Got nothing. You’re on your own. Try to pick the best one. That would be the least worst of the three.

For most, it is bound to get better. For some, it can’t get any worse. Even if it seems that way. Always maintain hope. Pray if you must. All in all, we always manage to have a good time, no matter our level of skill or lack thereof. We’re playing a game, having fun and are always given the chance of getting a laugh through the antics of others, with plenty of opportunity to open our friends and neighbours up to a bit of ridicule, even if it is just good natured sort of stuff. What more can you ask for? Perhaps a lot more, but that’s all you’re going to get. Never look a gift horse in the mouth. take what you can get. It’s always an offer you can’t refuse. And, gods willing, we’ll still manage to sneak in a little baseball in between.