Chapter 13 - This is a very simple game. You throw the ball, you catch the ball, you hit the ball.” (Bull Durham)

Wednesday morning (2/4/09), City of Palms Stadium Field , closest thing to Fenway Park and we are playing the 0-2 Hobson Hornets coached by Butch Hobson. Very crisp morning and we are along the first base line in the shade. As the home team we are in the field first.I was batting fourth in the line up, that's clean up for those who are not baseball aficionado's, and playing second base. Fans in the stands included mom and dad along with Patti. No issues in the top half of the first, the ball stayed away from me. Bottom of the first bases loaded no outs and here comes Number 50 Tim Maio to the plate. Takes the first pitch for a ball. The second pitch right over the plate and I lined a streamer down the third base line (see video) for the first run of the game. We went on to score three runs in that inning.

The second inning was the beginning of a long day in the field and will be the topic of Chapter 15 tomorrow. Any way, a hard ground ball comes my way. I pick it up right away and should be no problem. Thought glove was down on ground yet the ball goes through the wickets. Ugh. Cost us an unearned run that inning. After the inning Coach Epperson talked to me about positioning of the glove. Later coach Merloni asked who the woman in the blue sweatshirt was. I asked why and he said he heard her say "get you glove down and get it dirty". He got a kick out of that and its going to cost me a fine in that my wife called me out on the bad play.

Can things get worse? Well here goes, next at bat, dribbler back to the pitcher. Another defensive gem later in the game as a soaring pop fly came to my area in the infield. The wind was blowing, no sun in my eyes, but the ball was really moving. Well anyway, the ball did hit my glove but not in it. I took a very embarrassing tumble as I went back to get the ball. Another run. Boy, that hurt both physically and mentally. Next at bat I did drive in a run with a chop single to first base. I was lucky that the first baseman did not plate the ball right in my face as the bases were loaded and they were looking for the force at home. After I hit the ball, I thought ah sh...! Just the force at first and a RBI for me. I did have an assisted put out during the game. All in all not a great outing but a win anyway. When you see the scoreboard, I thought both the E's were mine but I think only one. (click to see bigger picture) Needless to say was disappointed with the defensive outing. The batting was not the best but did get a base hit and two RBI's. We are now 2-1 going into our next game in the afternoon. As I reflect, this game should be simple but its hard.