Falling Short

There are days when you write posts because you're happy, because something either in sports or in your life has left you feeling elated.

This is not one of those days.

Today my softball team, the best team by record through the regular season, came up empty against the worst team in the league, losing 8-6. The loss ended our season a game short of contending for the championship.

It was the sort of loss that really leaves a bad taste in your mouth. On a personal note, I had a really tough day. I swung the bat well but my fielding was atrocious.

I don't mean to flatter myself but I'm typically one of the best outfielders in the league. Today I had three balls clang off my glove. None of them were routine catches -- one was a would-be diving grab, one was a jump against the wall, and one was off a long sprint in. Tough plays all, but I'd be the first to tell you that I should have made all three, and usually do.

It's one thing to lose, it's another thing to feel you played an active role in the team's loss. Unfortunately, that's part of the feeling here. Now, in my defense, we lost 8-6. I happened to be sitting the inning when the opposition scored 5 of those runs. I also drove in a run and scored another, so I had a productive day at the plate.

I also have a severe back injury at the moment which had a major impact on my play. Still though. Just a really bad feeling.

The whole team played lousy is the truth of it, and it's just such a shame. We had a great season and really had a terrific team, we just didn't have it today.

I really love the softball league, and perhaps more than anything I'm just bummed that I won't have games to look forward to until March or April when the spring league starts.

Anyway, I've just been completely out of sorts about the whole thing since the game ended earlier today, and had to get it off my chest.

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

- A.F.O.M.G.