Another quick thought by Lestat

[Lestat]

I gotta hit the gym in a minute so this will be fast.

But I play co-ed recreational softball, just for fun, but it can get competative (mainly because I am a competative person).

Well, we were talking about close games, so imagine this scenario.

Bottom of the 9th inning, you are the home team. You are trailing 15 to 16.

You have a person on second and third and two outs. A base hit will at least tie, but likely win the game for your team. An our end the game and the entire season for your team.

Would YOU want to be the next batter. Basically be the deciding factor in the game, or would you rather someone else take the burden and you watch from the sidelines.

I said I'd want to be the batter. No matter what, every time. Even if I had gone 0 for 3 earlier in the day, put me at the plate because I feel I have the best chance of winning it for the team and I feel most comfortable in that position.

A few people agreed, but a few others couldn't believe I would want to put myself in a position where I could fail and shoulder the burden. I don't even think about that risk. That mentality seems like one that is setup for failure, its weak.

Same thing when I play defense. When the opposing team's batter is at the plate, I am hoping he hits the ball MY way. Give me the chance to make the play. Once person on the team disagreed completely, said they hope the ball would be hit anywhere but to them because if they made an error that cost the game they wouldn't be able to sleep.

For me, if I didn't give it everything I had to contribute to success, I wouldn't be able to sleep. Sure, if I failed, I'd be bummed, but I know that you can't be perfect everytime, and by at least trying I'll end up with a lot more victories than if I just sat idle on the sidelines and watched life pass me by.

 

[KillahBee]

I did this in my last year of little league (Gershkoff Autobody was my team). Bottom of the 6th (only six innings in LL), championship game, tied at 6. man on second (Steve Keenan). 2 outs. Eventually got the count to 3-2. Felt like I fouled off about 8 pitches in a row. Then the pitcher made a mistake (low and inside). *crack* Double over the CF's head.

Absolutely amazing feeling everyone should have at least once in their life (I would argue that as a child its importance is even greater).

Funny thing was, I was always a horrible batter. Great catcher - that's the only reason I was ever recruited for good teams. But typically an 8th in the lineup type of guy. But in those situations, balls and will triumph over skill nearly every time.

 

[Sub-Zero]

id wanan be the decider and win!

 

[KillahBee]

and also, lol at "talking" about these things.

I just don't see much value in that.

 

[redshirt27se]

i want to be at the plate in that situation... definitely.

 

[silverstar1025]

I am with you on that! You have to at least try. People don't have enough confidence in themselves if they didn't want to be that person. Sometimes you do fail, but screw it! I played soccer for many many years as a goalkeeper and I had many shining moments when offense wasn't doing shit and I saved the game by blocking all the balls. Of course there were some times when one would get by me when offense was having a good game. It is the name of the game I guess. You always have to try though don't be a little bitch.

 

[hanselthecaretaker]

I'd rather be at the dinner plate.

 

[Raptorex]

true story, in my old company - we had this 20ish year old Super hottie that never work underwear and always wore skirts. She would demand to play catcher. I miss and loved that chick.

 

[Razorguns]

fuck that. i'd sneak out and head to the titty bar

 

[swole]

This is why everyone should play sports.

I distinctly remember all these moments...including pop warner football and spring league soccer all the way up to flag football in college.

I want the ball thrown to me whenever we need a play. I want to corner up against their biggest threat at wide out.

All day, every day.

Good mentality. Easy decision for me.

I could go on and on about these moments but quite frankly, people don't care since they are more concerned with typing their own, including myself.

So I'll just gloat to myself after I hit Submit Reply.

 

[KillahBee]

I call it, Polk Highing

 

[rnch]

this is a "quick" thought?

 

[puddlemonkey]

and also, lol at "talking" about these things.

I just don't see much value in that.

Sounds like you and this thread have something in common.

 

[KillahBee]

Sounds like you and this thread have something in common.

We were both terrible ideas and should have never been created?

 

[Lestat]

I agree with swole and KillahBee about sports.

The first time I got a taste of this feeling was in 5th grade. I was on the 5-6th grade soccer team for my school (Private school, played other private schools). First year, I was a fast little runner, decent ball handler (but still whiffed a couple passes in front of goal).

So we are in the chapionship game. Its the top 2 teams out of our league of four. This team had given us our only loss of the year (1-0, we beat them the other time 1-0). It seemed like a total stalemate of a game (just like the first one). So this is the tie breaker, the championship, all the ego and bragging rights rolled up into one. I know its just 5th grade, but this my very first taste of that feeling that sports can give you. So the game is winding down, something like 5 minutes or left in the game. No one can seem to get the ball out of midfield all game, not a lot of shots on goal.

I played forward (striker) and was always looking to score. I was a fairly selfish player but would pass if someone was open and I had nothing. Teammate got the ball in deep near the goal box and tried for a shot. It was deflected and ended up a few feet in front of me. I had two steps then a shot right at the goal but was surrouned by 3 or 4 defenders charging at the ball from all angles. I got my shot off just in time and the goalie couldn't get to it. 1-0 us and we held them for the final couple minutes of the game. My mom was there and was stoked. I remember one parent telling me good job, but I was like yeah right, boring game.

I get to school the next day and I'm just doing my normal shit and this 8th grade girl (the 8th graders NEVER talked to the 5th graders) tells me "I heard you won the game for us yesterday" I said "terrible game, but I scored" she was like "cool" and a couple dudes came up and congratulated me. Usually they were just making fun of me for something. I distinctly remember that feeling, the glory of the game. Felt great and I knew that sports was something I could do to get that sort of recognition.

Unfortunately I was adept in most sports, but generally talentless. I excelled at running. I was naturally fast and had good endurance despite being asthmatic and taking an inhaler to school to use 4 times per day. I stuck with that through high school and gave up soccer which I loved. I would have been mediocre in college but in Track and Field I could win races (which I did) and I loved that.

 

[Sub-Zero]

i liked wrestling cause its all on you. either you walk off embarrassed/thoroughly bitched, or walk off head up after getting your hand raised

 

[Lestat]

i liked wrestling cause its all on you. either you walk off embarrassed/thoroughly bitched, or walk off head up after getting your hand raised

yeah man, I gave it a shot because I liked how it was so straight up you against one man. I got owned though.

I liked track and field, particularly my shorter races like the 400, because it was basically you against a few other guys in direct competition.

 

[Lestat]

and also, lol at "talking" about these things.

I just don't see much value in that.

I actually see some value in talking about feelings, philosophies, experiences, hopes, and dreams.

I am not a fan of talking about WHAT you are gonna do, I'm a more "don't talk about it, be about it" type person, but I think there are times when some reflection (on the good and the bad) is healthy and promotes growth.

 

[ceo]

Deep Thoughts

by: Lestat

 

[biteme]

Yeah, I'd want to be the batter. You don't have to worry about striking out in softball unless you suck big time.

 

[silverstar1025]

yeah man, I gave it a shot because I liked how it was so straight up you against one man. I got owned though.

I liked track and field, particularly my shorter races like the 400, because it was basically you against a few other guys in direct competition.

I ran the 400 as well. I was not great at real short speed and sure as hell wasn't the best at long distance runs. I did do the 100 meter hurdles though.

 

[rnch]

Deep Thoughts

by: Lestat