Health & Fitness
Windy With A Chance of A Faceplant
Playing softball in the wind is a dangerous practice!
Let me first start out by saying, “Ow.” I’m embarrassed to share this story with you, but I hope I’m not the only person this has happened to. It goes like this:
A friend is on a co-ed softball team, and some of the ladies decided not to participate at the last minute. So I was asked if I’d like to play every week. I explained my lack of skill, but they were desperate so they accepted me anyway.
Last week I got walked to 1st base, then I was walked all the way around the bases and made the first run for my team. I put my arms up like a champ, as if I had accomplished something. “Yeah I’m an awesome athlete! Woo! Look at me!” I was excited.
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You can imagine my excitement when last night I made it to 1st base off of my own hit! Beaming with pride, the best hitter on our team was up next, and I knew I’d have a chance to make it to 3rd at least. He swung the bat, it went far and hit the ground, I took off running. But, sadly, I never made it to 2nd base. This is because about halfway between 1st and 2nd I fell flat on my face. Well, flat on my chin to be exact.
My eyes rolled back in my head, and as I laid there motionless I took a quick inventory. “I hurt, is it serious? Legs attached? Check. Nose broken? No. Teeth? I think I’m good. Hands, wrists still in working order? Yes, thank goodness.”
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By this time my team was off the bench and I was getting rolled over. People started shouted “she’s crying! She’s crying!” I was not crying, I was laughing hysterically. As my team picked me up and brushed me off — I was able to explain that I had gotten knocked over by my own excitement and a big gust of wind.
As I realized I could make it to 2nd with no problem, and probably even make it to 3rd base off of my teammate's hit, my excitement hit its peak. I can only imagine I resembled Scooby-Doo with my legs flailing furiously, trying to carry me as far as I could go, and as fast as possible, especially since the guy behind me is younger, and faster; I couldn’t be held responsible for not getting as many bases as possible. About half way between 1st and 2nd base, a huge gust of wind blew me right over, right on my face. I was chin down in the dirt, and almost trampled by my teammate.
As I hobbled back to my bench, carrying my pride in my pocket, I hoped I would have another chance at the bat to redeem myself. And I did. As I took my bat and walked to the batter's box, someone cheered, "Let's go wheels!" As the yellow ball soared towards me, I knew it was a ball, I stepped back. Here it came again, it was a strike, but I left it alone. The next pitch I had to swing at, unless it was very obviously a ball. I swing, thinking only of making it to first base without taking a nap in the dirt. I swung, and missed. I will be known as the girl who fell on her face, pushed by a wind gust, while she was running from 1st to 2nd.
What do I have to show for my comedy act last night? Bruised knees, a sore leg, a sore shoulder, a shiner on my chin, and dirt in my teeth (well, that was last night). At least I provided the comedic relief for 2 teams who were very cold, and very nice about the girl who fell in the dirt between 1st and 2nd base.
