Well, someone's bound to get you out

The pervasive humidity broke, the sun shone and even the breeze made a slight appearance, making a swell evening for our favourite activity. That is, our favourite outdoor activity. Okay, our favourite outdoor activity we can perform in public in front of others without fear of arrest. If you haven’t figured it out by now and your mind continues to drift, I’m talking baseball. Anything else, you’re on your own (or not).

The summer persists and, as we head into prime vacation scheduling, the teams begin to show signs of less capacity, with many players beginning to take leave of their absence. Or is that absolution of their presence? Either way, we are now heading into prime sub season and if any captains find themselves lacking (in membership), there is an active sub list, somewhere, with names and contacts of individuals willing to sacrifice themselves for the continuance of our season, to inflict themselves with our game for a brief period of time, to indulge themselves in the joy we experience every Tuesday. Or, at least, the blissful ignorance. Reach out and touch someone. Hopefully, we don’t make a lasting impression that requires analysis. At least no lasting damage. Perhaps it is time to review some of the basics of baseball. Extremely basic. Two teams take the field. One stays in and tries to bat the ball about, the other takes the field and tries to prevent those batting the ball from touching all the bases, rounding them all and taking home, scoring those precious runs. This is done by getting them out. Key factor is the team in the field tries to get those batting out, no one else. Seems to be a factor we sometimes overlook.

First off, the pitcher is on the same team as the batters and should be designed to assist the batters in getting on base. Seems easier said than done, although, to be fair, they are always trying. Sometimes very trying. Try to help them out and don’t wait on that perfect pitch. Swing at most anything you think the bat can reach. You may help to take pressure off the pitcher and the stress you may relieve will be…well…mostly that of the pitcher. But we all are judged on what we do to others, so you can take that home. Even if you don’t get to run the bases. Running. Best done if you wish to make it to base. if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. Okay, perhaps not anywhere, but if you can make it there, you would be safe. Better chance of making it home that way. And, if you can’t run due to injury, don’t. Make one of the other poor souls on your team do it for you. However, best if they are able to run as well. Once you are on base, stay there until the next ball is hit. Preferably by the bat. Then you can depart and run your ass off to the next base or two. Remember, after the hit and not before. Seems simple enough but most of us have succumbed to it at one time or another. Might be harder than it looks. Thankfully, most of us are able to stretch beyond our means. At least temporarily. Maybe not so much the next day. Last point is the team in the field. It is your responsibility to get the outs. Try to avoid errors, bad throws, missed catches, chasing the runner or making one too many relays. But shit happens, so best not to think about it, just play about and hope things take a turn for the best. Bound to happen. Eventually. Or, at least, once or twice. Take what you can get. The less you think about it, the better things sometimes work. Best to maintain that blissful ignorance. Take what you can get. And, if you feel you must make light of other player’s predicament, offset balance or wicked throw, feel free. Adds to the charm. However, just remind yourself that the next predicament may be yours.

But, of course, I jest (mostly). If you do happen to take me seriously, you may have more problems than those exhibited on the baseball field. At least, from a mental aspect. And if you do happen to see me taking myself too seriously, feel free to kick me about a little bit. Probably just need a kickstart. But, of course, I digress (not always a bad position to be in). We all seem to be holding our own and, if you don’t look at the totals, we appear to be evenly matched, all games being close (mostly). Most likely, the team that overcomes the loss will be the one who experiences the lesser of the errors, the one with the fewer self inflicted episodes. May sound difficult but keep in mind the other team will always be sure to contribute errors of their own. Just try to make less than they do. Easier than trying to be perfect and much more fun.