We did it. We actually showed up and played a softball game. It was a pitcher's duel between yours truly and my brother Chris. My team got the lead, lost the lead, made a great comeback, then held on to finish just before the rains came. While 22-20 doesn't look like a pitchers duel, the defense was the key to victory. Since I had trouble throwing out runners who dribbled the ball to the pitchers mound, I got great advice from my team. Instead of throwing the ball to first, I rolled it and got the outs. I even kicked the ball to first to get my brother out once to everyone's amazement (mainly Chris'). I really just couldn't bent over with that ball just rolling and rolling and catch it. So I kicked that darn thing and bam! He's out! Mike is the one who really got me. He has a perfectly bald head and does Kojak proud. Well I made the comment," Here's you a lollipop". Big mistake because we all remember what Kojak does to them. That's right, Mike devoured it. Several young players hit some hot shots up the middle to you know who. It was either catch it or be hit. My glove just happened to be where the ball went and while everyone was saying great catch, I was wondering what happened. Pastor Shane (who picked me last, I mean the very Last) showed his athletic prowess by catching some grounders at the hot corner (3rd base) and whipping it to second to see just how high Amy (his wife) could jump. Not to be out done, Amy chunked a few over our shortstop, who just happened to be her brother-n-law. I don't think we have to worry about anyone in that family playing pro sports. Most people wouldn't think Bro. Shane would be playing softball so he promptly fell after a slow rolling grounder being thrown from the field. My brother has really bad knees from all kinds of surgeries and was literally tippy toeing to third while Shane was laying on his side waiting on the slow rolling ball to get to him. It was so funny. Made you want to yell get up to Shane and speed up to Chris. They gave slow pitch has a whole new meaning. They slow pitch, slow run, slow throw, slow swing. I mean that was slow motion soft ball. Good thing because Amy's sister was keeping score and I think she needed that extra time to add up the runs. I could go on and on but I'm already gonna have to repent when our members reads this. I feel like Larry the cable guy saying "Oh forgive me Lord," but not really meaning it. Hey it was a great day and the hotdogs were excellent off the grill (can't have a ball game without those boys). I didn't eat a one but the women folks sure did. Like I didn't watch. They were opening those big packs of 48 at a time. Gina (Mikes wife) kept my designated runner (Beverly) from running so now I can hardly move. I'm sure the others are hurting but somehow, when you win, you don't hurt as bad as the losers! We'll see how church goes as I'm sure to rub in the victory on the teenagers. However, Austin, Blake, Megan, TJ, Brittany, and the others will point out, I'm sure, that they feel fine while us old timers are limping and moaning. Makes you wonder who really won? I'm not gonna admit nothing but just have to pass on kneeling at the altar, standing through all the praise and worship, or even running around meeting and greeting. I'll claim to be in the spirit or in my prayer closet. Something. Anything. But there is still that smell of Ben-Gay.