5 I wish I had a picture!

Nate has been playing in softball leagues as long as I've known him. Some years he plays on 2 or 3 teams. Some years they struggle, but mostly they do very well. They've taken the championship a few times.

When we were engaged, 5 of the Schwartz brothers were on the same team. Lets just say there were some pretty heated arguments on the field. "Catch that ball, Pat." (Pat is the generic name used when instruction is being barked) I'm sure that nobody would have been surprised if punches flew. In fact that summer another wife I didn't know leaded back during one such conflict and said, "ah, I know who you are. You're with one of the brothers that fight all the time." Yeah, that would be me. No, the brothers all love each other and love being together even though it might not appear so to an outsider. No matter how heated an exchange gets, once its over - it's over. They are laughing and joking the next minute. It took me quite awhile to get used to all of that after growing up in a home of all girls. Boys are weird! This summer Nate is playing Thursday nights with a core group guys that have been playing together for years (some since high school), but only including one of his brothers, Layne.

Now to my story. Last night they were short a guy...well actual two. One broke his ankle at last week's game and had surgery earlier this week. Anyway, somehow I got volunteered to fill-in despite only wearing FLIP FLOPS and having NEVER played any sports in my life! Ha,ha!! They put me in as catcher. Aunt Julie and cousins Maddie & Kaity took care of my girls. {They did say that Allie kept reassuring them that I was going to come back. I guess she was trying to convince herself.} When cousin Jordyn showed up in the 2nd inning they put her in, too. She was a much better choice, having played in school & wearing tennis shoes, plus she snagged a fly ball in the field. Go Jordy!

Catching wasn't that bad, but I'm sure I looked like a nerd crouching behind the plate. Most of the not-hit pitches went right past me and I had to scramble around to get them. Good thing most of the guys swing and hit most pitches! I'm fairly sure that I even closed my eyes a few times when the ball came at me, sorry Nate. He is the pitcher, so at least I was throwing the balls back to him. The umpire kept saying how surprised he was the I hadn't played softball in high school the way I threw underhand. HA, HA! He seemed serious, but I'm sure he must have been joking. When it was my turn up to bat I went barefoot and got a WALK! My second time up I even HIT the ball and beat the throw to 1st base!!! I was more surprised then any of the players or the spectators. Both times I got a substitute runner to take over for me since I was barefoot. It was actually fun and the mood was light since we were up the entire game and won 8 to 5. {This season's record is now 3:1}

There was one scary moment when one of our fielders bobbled a fly ball and the other team's runner on 3rd raced towards home in the delay. The 3rd baseman, a serious player with a wicked arm, caught the ball and wound up to steam it into home to beat the runner. Thankfully he processed that it was ME at home and pulled up JUST before taking my head off with the ball. The runner scored, but I lived. Thanks Dunn!

Even though I had a good time and the outcome was great, I don't think I'll be taking up softball any time soon. I'm just greatful that I survived and the team came out with a win, something that probably wouldn't have happened against any other team in the league. Next week I'll gladly take my place on a blanket beyond the outfield fence.