Catching the Ball

We had an absolutely amazing 4th of July weekend this year. Chad restored an old Silver City Independence Day tradition--the softball game. To be honest, I was not terribly excited about it--I know, I know, you are shocked that I was not thrilled about playing a SPORT. Really, I had NEVER played softball other than a few days of high school PE, where I recall not having a clue what I was doing. Granted, the past few years have helped me get a few wiffle-ball games under my belt, but I hardly felt prepared to play on a testosterone-dominated team and with girls that had played in high school; I don't even know how to bat! Well, I am here to tell you that, if they had had a softball team at my high school and I had given it a chance, I most certainly would have given up track in a heartbeat! It was SO much fun! A huge part of that was the great people of course, but we went out on Linehan Flats and just played in the tall wild grass with a little lake in the background. I must take just a moment to brag because I truly amazed myself with my superhero skills....okay, maybe not superhero, but I felt like one! Not only did I not strike out, I hit the ball every single time on the first pitch!!!! Amazing, I know. I did get thrown out at my first at-bat, but then after that I either made it safely to base or even made it to second and had an RBI (yah, that's right, I am even using the lingo now). This may not seem that impressive, but evil Chad was on the other team, finding great joy in catching nearly every ball to get 3 outs with 3 batters, over and over again. Then, towards the end of the game, I made the catch of the day--YES ME! I was playing third base with someone running toward me; an outfielder threw the ball to third, I stuck my mitted hand WAY up in the air, and I caught that burner right in that mit! YIPEEEEE!!!!! It was the greatest feeling ever, and of course I had to do a little celebration...okay, it was a big celebration.... I screamed and jumped up and down and yelled, "I caught it! I caught it! Did you see that? That was AWESOME!" Everyone was horribly impressed, but not nearly as much as I was. In fact, even the next day people I didn't even know were coming up to me saying things like, "I heard about your amazing catch!". I didn't mention that it was my first and only catch--we wouldn't want anyone discounting it for beginner's luck! Then, just as I was really warming up, loving the softball game, it was over, and has since left me thirsting for more. And to think, I didn't even want to play...in more ways then one, I caught the ball! Doug yelling at first base, while KaLynne and Jess snack (he didn't want me to post this one).

Chad catching yet another one.

Yours truly.