It's not whether you win or lose . . . (0-3)

Well, the mighty NPD got steamrollered again. I lost track when the lead got to double-digits. But it felt like we played a lot better than Tuesday night. I certainly did.
I'm off the schnide, collecting a couple of hits, including a hard-hit RBI double in the second inning. Legged out an infield single in my next at-bat, with my blazing speed.

Then I was caught in an absolutely baffling run-down, which - after lengthy explanation from the umpire and a much lengthier conversation among the teammates - I just might understand what happened.

Here's the situation:
Bases loaded. No outs. I'm on first.
Next batter popped up to third base. The ump did not call infield fly, but the runner ahead of me, on second, assumed that it was and did not advance. I went half way, to see if the ball would be caught, but the third baseman made an attempt but dropped the ball. I was in the process of scampering back to first, as it looked like he was going to catch it, but the batter, who legged it out, was standing on first and he and the first base coach (yes, we have base coaches) were screaming at me to advance. I went back to second and tried to physically push the runner, still standing on second, to clear the bag for me. He was yelling at me to get back, and so I, once again, ran halfway back to first before being screamed at - again by the two guys at first - to advance. Meanwhile, the third baseman picked up the ball and stepped on third, forcing out our runner who was STILL just standing at second. The other team yelled for the third baseman to throw to second, which he did. I slid in, under the tag.
Inning over?

Now, what seems to have happened is that it was NOT an infield fly (at the umpire's call (yes, we have umpires)), and the batter was safe at first. The runner on second was out, when the third baseman stepped on the bag. I initially (well, not initially, but the second time I got to the bag) touched second, which my team argued removed the force play at second base the next time I got back there, meaning the second baseman had to tag me to record the out. I'm not sure if I agree with that, as the batter had made it safely to first, meaning I could not retreat there safely. So I believe the force should still have been on.

Anyway, the upshot of it was that even if I was out, that should only have been the second out of the inning.

Not that it mattered. We were destroyed, once again.

But I had three chances at short, and I fielded them all cleanly; one I flipped to second to start a 6-4-3, but the second baseman didn't turn the pivot. One I threw late to first, and the runner beat it out. And one I threw in time - but low, and the first baseman dug it out for the out. I'm getting a better feel out there, knowing where to place myself to cut throws from the outfield, knowing where to backup plays, and knowing where to best place myself defensively for left- and right-handed batters. Now that I've made a couple of plays, I know I can play a couple of steps shallower and still be able to field a ball and get the runner at first. I had been playing back, to give myself more reaction time, but that extra second allowed the runner to make it to first.

Offensively, I have a new approach at the plate: I'm up there taking pitches until I get a called strike. Especially if there's any wind, it's hard for the pitchers in this league to lay one in there. I'll take a walk. But - if I do get that called second strike* - I'm going to make sure I get the ball on the ground. Fly balls are death in this league; with four outfielders out there, it's rare to drop one in (unless you're playing against our fielders, who have a penchant for mis-playing fly balls). Pound it into the ground and leg it out. Which is harder than it sounds, when you have a big ole' watermelon pitch floating in from above your head. The ball just hangs up there, asking to be crushed. It's hard to lay off of it, wait it out, and get it on the ground. It's even harder to push it to the right side, but I'm going to work on doing that, too.

My line score for the night:
2 for 2, with a double and a run scored. I'm pretty sure I got an RBI, too, but as our "manager" says, "Due to some inconsistancies with our scorekeeper, possibly as a result of his current pain meds, I think he may have generously inflated our stats a bit." (Jeff, the guy who re-located his finger, kept the book last night.)
Although, in my case, it's not so much inflated as deflated.

Anway, going 2-2 brought up my average on the season to .333, and my OPS is 1.000, good for seventh best on the team. I'm also tied for the lead in doubles with one, and still lead the team with my 1 sac fly.

INJURY REPORT:
I'm still relatively in one piece. Getting on base a couple of times last night, I had the chance to do some base running and made three hard slides. Which, in shorts, hurts like a sonofabitch. I have a really nice raspberry on my right calf right now, which hurts all the time and KILLS when I get it wet. So I might break down and start wearing long pants. Maybe sweats. But, if I can find them, I might just go old-school and get some high-leg baseball pants, showing a lot of sock. I figure I may as well look the part of suburban beer-league softball guy. Unfortunately, all the pants I can find are down-to-the-ankle variety, and I just can't do that.

I also woke up this morning with a real intense pain in my right hand/wrist area. I didn't really feel it last night, so I don't know if it was a delayed pain or if maybe I just slept on it wrong. But it's really a very bad sharp pain if I move any part of my right hand (typing is really fun). I doubt I could grip or throw a ball right now. Hopefully it'll be all fine by Tuesday.


* all batters start with a 1-1 count, so basically you're working with 3 balls and 2 strikes at every at-bat.