After 13-year layoff, returning<br>to softball filled with fun, fatigue<br>

Judging by some of the comments hurled my way Wednesday during a softball game, I’m guessing a few of you figured I would write about softball in this week’s column. Well, you’re right, so here it comes.

The coed softball season got under way last week with three games (Tuesday was skipped so people could watch the All-Star Game). My girlfriend and I got ourselves onto the Grand Canyon School team coached by Dan Lopez.

Being a lefty, Lopez penciled me at first base from the beginning. It was where I had played throughout my high-school baseball career and most of my early softball days. Some of you may find it hard to believe, but I used to be a sprinter. As a result, I also played some center field.

About an hour before game time, I went through my messy closet looking for my old softball cleats. Sure enough, there they were underneath the Christmas wrapping paper and a stack of newspapers from my early sports writing days.

I was actually a little nervous before gametime. I’m a very competitive person and was worried my body couldn’t perform up to par. Plus, it had been 13 years since I last played softball.

Back in my days as a sports writer in Grand Island, Neb., I coached our newspaper’s softball team. We were in a men’s league and did pretty well our first year, qualifying for the playoffs. But in the second year, we began to stumble and only won two games all season.

Near the end of the season, being as competitive as I am, I yelled at the umpire. I was already on “probation” for yelling at umpires in past games, so on this final occasion, they kicked me out of the league.

That was the end of my softball days. I was mad at myself because I allowed myself to become too competitive over what was supposed to be a recreational, fun game.

In last week’s game, a few old habits resurfaced. On a hit to left field, I tried to advance from first to third base. Now playing on the substandard Grand Canyon High School field, I really didn’t want to slide. Besides, I felt I could beat the throw.

The third baseman for the National Park Service team put the tag on. I felt I was safe, the umpire felt I was out. I called him a few choice names and challenged his capabilities in the areas of vision.

Before the next inning, I ran over to apologize to him. He was very understanding and said he had done those same types of things himself. In the end, NPS beat us so bad that the play probably didn’t affect the outcome anyway.

Playing over at first base, it was quite the challenge facing a setting sun to the west. I also ended up on the ground three times because of Colleen Dunleavy, a player for the NPS team. She got three base hits by hitting screamers down the first base line.

After she had done it twice, I sort of challenged her to try it again. Sure enough, whack, there I was on the ground shaking my head as Colleen was headed for extra bases.

I was happy to find my stroke at the plate, going either 3-for-4 or 4-for-4. The first hit could have been a fielder’s choice or on by error; I didn’t see what happened because I was sprinting down the first-base line in what could be characterized as quicksand.

Stacey played very well for her first game in several years. She had a couple of hits and got the job done in her first game as a catcher.

NPS looks like a pretty good team and I hear Red Feather looks pretty tough. But don’t count the GC School team out just yet. Half of us may be injured, but the season is young. Bring it on.

(Brad Fuqua is editor of the Grand Canyon News).