Softball season begins!

While the high school teams are still finishing their seasons, more people are heading out to the diamonds. In another sign summer is eminently upon us, the city baseball team’s season begins a week from Sunday. Even stranger is Nate’s summer softball play began last night.

I didn’t grow up in a softball-playing family, but the casual sport seems to be somewhat of an obsession in certain circles. Some people play three or four nights a week with different teams in various leagues. Nate and I used to make fun of the people with time to run to more than one game a week. But due to peer pressure Nate joined that circle, now playing Tuesday nights in Medford and Thursday nights in Dorchester.

Meanwhile I’ve become a regular spectator on the sidelines of the softball field. I started going a lot last year, mostly out of boredom, but now I don’t mind it too much. He plays with a fun group of guys and it gets me out of the house.
Since I now have a baby in tow, the plan is to put the stroller into use and get a little exercise at the park since I’m there anyway. After watching all the pros complain, its refreshing to see a sport in a purer form. There are no endorsements, inflated salaries or contract hold-outs. All the manager of Nate’s team has to do is provide plenty of cold beer and the guys are happy.

Winning is the goal, but it’s not the only one. Since Nate’s been playing, his team has yet to have a winning season, yet he looks forward to playing all winter. It’s more about personal victories and bragging rights than winning the whole thing. It’s the guy who hasn’t had a decent hit all season whacking a triple, or two teammates turning a double play. Sometimes it’s as simple as finally getting the elusive third out after the other team has put up double digit runs that inning. Other times they play just for the good laugh of watching a cocky batter strike out. He is required then, as per team rules, to make a trip to the concession stand for more beverages. After the game there’s more beer and soda as the guys rehash the innings play-by-play until someone turns off the field lights. Even then it’s sometimes difficult to drag Nate away from the conversation. Most importantly, no matter what happened on the field I hardly ever see one of the players leave mad. If he did, it’s usually because he came in a foul mood to begin with.

Softball’s rules for canceling games are a lot like the mail. Through wind, rain, sleet or snow, the leagues usually deliver. Despite the nasty weather predicted Thursday, I wouldn’t be all that surprised if they try to play a few games. It just adds to the character of the game. There’s nothing like watching a guy dive for a ball in the outfield only to glide through a puddle of rain water. It reminds me of penguins sliding through the snow on their bellies. Except the penguins don’t jump up and high-five each other afterward.