Softball Update, 10-4-09
Opponent: White
Score: 12-13 (L, 2-1)
Personal Stats: 2-5, 1 Run
Season Stats: 8-12, HR, 4 Runs, 6 RBIs
Special Fielding Stats: 3 Putouts, 6 Assists (to be referenced later)
Recap: Today's entry can probably be subtitled, "Managing high expectations." Our biggest lead was 10 runs (12-2) going into the bottom of the third, but we let off the gas, let them creep back in, and wound up losing on a walk-off shot in the bottom of the seventh.
Now I should say that my expectations really didn't apply to the team, I was hardly expecting an undefeated season, and I totally understand the tendency to let up after building a large lead so early and not having substitutes, leading to some late game fatigue. The two people who could not make it this week were two very good hitters as well (9 hits in 14 at bats between them in the first two games), so I have no doubts that we'll be fine for the next game. We learned our lesson and the important part will be applying it in future games. No, when I talk about expectations, I'm talking about my personal ones for myself (as opposed to my personal ones for someone else, I guess).
We'll start with hitting, I singled in my first at bat with a runner on first and was forced out on the next play, but avoided the double play. The second inning I came up with one out and singled, which started a 3 run rally. I came up again in the third inning with no outs and lined a shot directly back to the pitcher, which he caught. We scored five runs in that inning, but they were the last for us. I ended the fourth with a pop up to first trying to go the other way (dropped my shoulder), and made the first out in the last inning popping out to short on a ball that trailed in on the bat handle. I was very disappointed in the last two at bats, as I did not connect solidly with either of them. A below average day at the plate for me, especially in the later innings with the game on the line.
The batting was not the main reason I was upset with myself after the game, rather the fielding. I think I've mentioned before that I was trying to avoid playing shortstop this year, having drafted a great one last year and really enjoying the freedom that not having to worry about that position entailed. Through vagaries of circumstance, however, I have come to accept that I may not be able to avoid it this year, and was actually looking forward to it for this game. In the last inning of our previous game, I made a bad throw to first that allowed the other team to get within one run in the final inning. That was with very few chances coming my way (one assist, no putouts), but I still felt very disappointed with my performance. The same scenario happened again this game, the ball struck a bit harder, I had to knock it down with my body, pick it up and make a rushed throw to first and wound up throwing it low and to the right outside of the first baseman's reach. This happened with two outs, no one on in the bottom of the sixth of a 12-9 game, so, of course the next two batters singled and homered to tie the game before the last out of the inning was recorded on, what else, a grounder to me.
I felt (and still feel to a degree) that I let the team down. I was upset (at least as upset as I get in these things) and despite reassurances from all involved that I played great, was dashed by my own expectations. I expect to play well every time, but making the same error two games in a row and having it almost cost the game the first time and allowing them to even the score the second made me come down very hard on myself. Then I looked at the numbers today (noted above in the special fielding section - thanks Jess for keeping score!) and saw that I was directly involved in 9 outs (4 ground outs including all three in the aforementioned sixth inning, threw two runners out on relays to home from center field, two line drives, and a pop up in short left field), which is exactly half of the 18 outs we got. Just as one at bat does not solely determine the outcome of a game, neither does one fielding play. Despite my misgivings after the game, I am actually more confident in my ability to play the position now (although I will admit that losing 40 pounds since last year has certainly helped my mobility).
All that being said, I knew this lesson already and had it floating around the back of my head even after the game. Distance, however, and facts separated from emotion definitely drive the point home. I can't wait to play again next week as I go for the elusive perfect game, knowing that even should I attain it, I will still play another game in the future which will not be perfect, because resting on an accomplishment is pointless when there is so much joy in the playing, joy in the camaraderie, and joy in the journey. I will come back next week with a better attitude which will allow me to be a better player, a better coach, and a better friend.
Summary: We have two more games in our division (I'll explain how that's working as we get on in the season), and they happen to be the next two weeks. The next game is a 2:15 next week versus the Red team again.
And yes, that ending was kind of cheesy, but it does reflect my honest thoughts, so it stays. :)
Score: 12-13 (L, 2-1)
Personal Stats: 2-5, 1 Run
Season Stats: 8-12, HR, 4 Runs, 6 RBIs
Special Fielding Stats: 3 Putouts, 6 Assists (to be referenced later)
Recap: Today's entry can probably be subtitled, "Managing high expectations." Our biggest lead was 10 runs (12-2) going into the bottom of the third, but we let off the gas, let them creep back in, and wound up losing on a walk-off shot in the bottom of the seventh.
Now I should say that my expectations really didn't apply to the team, I was hardly expecting an undefeated season, and I totally understand the tendency to let up after building a large lead so early and not having substitutes, leading to some late game fatigue. The two people who could not make it this week were two very good hitters as well (9 hits in 14 at bats between them in the first two games), so I have no doubts that we'll be fine for the next game. We learned our lesson and the important part will be applying it in future games. No, when I talk about expectations, I'm talking about my personal ones for myself (as opposed to my personal ones for someone else, I guess).
We'll start with hitting, I singled in my first at bat with a runner on first and was forced out on the next play, but avoided the double play. The second inning I came up with one out and singled, which started a 3 run rally. I came up again in the third inning with no outs and lined a shot directly back to the pitcher, which he caught. We scored five runs in that inning, but they were the last for us. I ended the fourth with a pop up to first trying to go the other way (dropped my shoulder), and made the first out in the last inning popping out to short on a ball that trailed in on the bat handle. I was very disappointed in the last two at bats, as I did not connect solidly with either of them. A below average day at the plate for me, especially in the later innings with the game on the line.
The batting was not the main reason I was upset with myself after the game, rather the fielding. I think I've mentioned before that I was trying to avoid playing shortstop this year, having drafted a great one last year and really enjoying the freedom that not having to worry about that position entailed. Through vagaries of circumstance, however, I have come to accept that I may not be able to avoid it this year, and was actually looking forward to it for this game. In the last inning of our previous game, I made a bad throw to first that allowed the other team to get within one run in the final inning. That was with very few chances coming my way (one assist, no putouts), but I still felt very disappointed with my performance. The same scenario happened again this game, the ball struck a bit harder, I had to knock it down with my body, pick it up and make a rushed throw to first and wound up throwing it low and to the right outside of the first baseman's reach. This happened with two outs, no one on in the bottom of the sixth of a 12-9 game, so, of course the next two batters singled and homered to tie the game before the last out of the inning was recorded on, what else, a grounder to me.
I felt (and still feel to a degree) that I let the team down. I was upset (at least as upset as I get in these things) and despite reassurances from all involved that I played great, was dashed by my own expectations. I expect to play well every time, but making the same error two games in a row and having it almost cost the game the first time and allowing them to even the score the second made me come down very hard on myself. Then I looked at the numbers today (noted above in the special fielding section - thanks Jess for keeping score!) and saw that I was directly involved in 9 outs (4 ground outs including all three in the aforementioned sixth inning, threw two runners out on relays to home from center field, two line drives, and a pop up in short left field), which is exactly half of the 18 outs we got. Just as one at bat does not solely determine the outcome of a game, neither does one fielding play. Despite my misgivings after the game, I am actually more confident in my ability to play the position now (although I will admit that losing 40 pounds since last year has certainly helped my mobility).
All that being said, I knew this lesson already and had it floating around the back of my head even after the game. Distance, however, and facts separated from emotion definitely drive the point home. I can't wait to play again next week as I go for the elusive perfect game, knowing that even should I attain it, I will still play another game in the future which will not be perfect, because resting on an accomplishment is pointless when there is so much joy in the playing, joy in the camaraderie, and joy in the journey. I will come back next week with a better attitude which will allow me to be a better player, a better coach, and a better friend.
Summary: We have two more games in our division (I'll explain how that's working as we get on in the season), and they happen to be the next two weeks. The next game is a 2:15 next week versus the Red team again.
And yes, that ending was kind of cheesy, but it does reflect my honest thoughts, so it stays. :)