Liberated

GAME 1
This past week, I was lucky enough to be a softball sub for two different teams. On Tuesday, i subbed for my brother's team. They were playing an undefeated team. I actually played with TEAM WHAT the first time they lost to the 3-0 team. It was a devasting come from behind loss that we had to eat. It lingered and the team remembered how bad the loss was and came ready to play.

Before the game my new teammates talked like they wanted to win. During the game, they played like they wanted to win. We were playing a team that can hit and my job was to not allow them to hit the ball. I did an okay job but everytime the team put the ball in play, the defense behind me would make the play.

The only time I had played for this team, we had lost. And I put a lot of pressure on myself not to let that happen again. It was great to see how everyone picked each other up after someone messed up or made an out. Not only did we win, but we skunked the other team 16-4. Everybody was happy. The only unfortunate thing is I live too far to go out and party with everyone after. I hope they downed some beer for me.

GAME 2
The very next day, I had the opportunity to once again play with Lory and Adrian. When I first played co-ed softball they helped start the team. With too many people on our team, the original team split into two different teams. I was still a member of the team they had left and I hadn't played with them for several years. Even though everyone on the two teams were still friends, the games they played against each other were pretty intense. I stopped playing on the original team due to wedding planning, injuries and other reasons and they found replacements for me. So when asked to be a sub for Lory and Adrian's team, I was more than happy to play with them again.

Knowing Lory was playing, I figured I was going to play third. Lory is the team's pitcher and she pitched them to a championship the season before. Upon arriving, I learned that I was going to pitch the first three innings. I was excited to be able to pitch for four old teammates. However, I was also nervous because everytime you go out there you have to prove yourself. I didn't want them not to be able to trust me. I also looked at who we were playing and it was yet another undefeated, 3-0 team. A team that I may played against many times and have never beaten. I couldn't let them down and when I started the game, my heart raced. I have done the same thing over and over again but at this point, with everything that has happened, I could not be the reason we lost.

We scored a few runs in the first inning and that helped put me at ease. When I walked to the mound, I just shut everything else down. I know I am just a pitcher throwing a ball underhanded to guys that could blast the ball to the ocean, but thats where the beauty lies. It is all a mind game. In softball a great hitter should always beat a great pitcher and when I get them to pop it up or hit a weak grounder its awesome. The first guy just kinda swatted at that ball and reached and I was think oh no, here we go again. But the next three people all made outs, including their masher who hit a lazy pop up. In the second inning I had my first at bat and it was pumped up with pressure as the game was still close and the basses were loaded with two outs. I ended taking a walk which is two bases in coed leagues so that was 2 RBIs without doing anything. The next inning, I walked one but the next batter hit the ball right back to me to start a double play. The third inning they scored two off me. One hitter, the captain of the other team hit a fly ball that carried and hit the trees that line the short left field fence of King field. Adrian was actually under the ball but when it hit the tree he had to scramble for it. One run scored and the batter was left at third, later scoring. The team really just took me in. I know I am just a sub but I could tell they really appreciated me. The kind words were much appreciated and I would love to sub for them again.

But what was great about those two days is I just felt free. Yeah, their was pressure, but it was a great, natural, competitive pressure. The pressure you get cuz you want to help your teammates, the pressure you get when you don't want to let friends down. Sports are now full of money and greed. But when you play in these little rec leagues, you play for the love. And this past week I played sports at its purist form. I was with friends, I played hard, I played to win, I played because I love the sport.

It's why when I watch the Olympics I get so excited. I know many athletes are performing for endorsements or what not but the majority of the athletes are playing because they love what they are doing. Just watch the exhilaration on the athletes faces after they race. Even look deeper, and check out the athlete that loses the race and still has a huge smile on his/her face, happy just to be able to compete. That Mens 400 M Freestyle Relay had everything. It will be a great memory just for those that witnessed it. I was at home with my wife and cousins and we were jumping up and down, going crazy like little kids. Sports can offer you a chance for greatness no matter what the level. Sports offer you the opportunity to feel a part of something. Sports have molded who I am. I love watching cuz I can feel the emotions. I love playing because it is one of the only times I ever really feel truly free.