the Unexpressed Advantage

I played volleyball in high school and college. A lot of people don't know that, but once you've known me long enough, I usually end up talking about it because it's something that I'm pretty proud of. Unfortunately, when you've played volleyball at a highly competitive level, it can be quite frustrating to play at any other level. Most people think that volleyball is a fun thing people do at a picnic, but it's actually a very technical game. To play well, one can't get by on sheer athleticism or ability, they really have to know what's going on; both with their own body to perform the volleyball mechanics correctly and also in relationship to the other players on the floor. Volleyball can be like a dance, the whole team moves together in unity to create a successful outcome.

The Second thing that softball taught me is that it's really actually pretty fun to play softball. That is, if you play it correctly. One of the most important things about softball (and baseball, incidentally) is the rules. There are quite a few little nuances here and there and it's important that you understand them all otherwise you'll be a little lost.

For instance, my friend Mike, somewhere around the second inning, got on to first base. Now Mike has never been super keen about organized sports, so he didn't know the softball rules at all, including the one that says you have to "tag up" when you're on base and a hit ball is caught by a member of the fielding team.

You gotta love that this week has a theme, but no actual posts related to the theme. Sigh… Too busy; but busy in a good way. I hosted a barbecue dinner tonight. That was fun.

The reason for the theme is that this weekend some folks from my church went over to a local softball field and had a complete duking-of-it-out softball competition. It was the Monday night people vs. the Thursday night people (this is related to home-group meetings during the week). I was on Thursday night and we lost, but only by two points.

Sadly, not forever. But sometimes it's just cool to think about. (thanks for the pic Jess).

Some things are just forever funny.