Tuesday, December 16, 2008

The First Game after 12 Years of Retirement

The first game was a little rough. I couldn't find the strike zone all day. I throw sidearm and couldn't get the feel for the mound or my curve ball. I didn't get hit hard except for once but when you don't put the ball over the plate you are going to have a difficult day. My son had no idea whether I was doing good or bad but every time I looked up, he gave me the "thumbs up" sign regardless. You can't beat unconditional support.

We ended up winning but in a pretty ugly fashion 12-9 Piratas de Cuernavaca over Zacatepec. I hit the same poor bastard twice which is usually grounds for charging the mound. Luckily, he didn't take it that way and came over and laughed about it with me when the game was over. I told him that he frightened me too much so I pounded him off the plate. I am not sure I would be so gracious if I were hit twice. Needless to say, I got ridden by the crowd with a lot of hecklers practicing their English. Gems such as "Gringo go to you house!" made me laugh.

I hurt pretty much all over. I am going to have to get in better baseball shape.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

The Beginning

I do love baseball. There was a time when I tried to deny it. I hurt my arm. I went to law school. I did other things . . .

Then came my son. Just barely old enough to play at four. It stoked up those old feelings. Seeing him run around the diamond and talk about "the kids" whenever he saw an MLB game. It brought it all back.

His coach asked me if I played. I said "yes." Did I mention that I live in central Mexico? Far away from Iowa where I grew up. I want to play again. I want my son to see me play. This is going to be an adventure.