What Happened When I Joined a Men’s Baseball League in Central California

This is the first part, or the beginning of what should be interesting 4 month period of early morning fast pitch baseball in a Men’s league with the average age being north of 40.

I first joined the league after my roommates father told me he played/practiced on Sundays for a league that ran all summer. I had just moved to SB County and had not been making the most of my weekends and the weather. When the opportunity presented itself I made sure I was in attendance. The practice went well and I would consider it successful because a few days passed and I was invited to participate on a team in the league. I am 28 and league rules permit a limit to the number of players under 35 you can have on the roster. In my case, an exception was made. I practice the following week again taking some batting practice and trying my luck at fielding the ball. Everything seemed to be working out well.

When Sunday, April 3rd rolled around I was excited and up early. I stretched a little; I thought I am playing with older boys so how much do I really need to stretch? I started in Right Field and in a matter of pitches I was already making plays. But, it wasn’t until the 6th inning that I would make my most memorable play. After striking out earlier in the game, I made great contact with a line drive through one of the gaps in order to drive a baserunner home. That had me feeling good. After the catcher mishandled a ball, I stole second with ease. Then, it happened.

A player on my team popped out to right field. I tagged onto second and when the catch was made I tried to explode for Third Base. All of a sudden, I had felt like the baseball that should’ve been thrown to 3rd had pelted the back of my thigh. I had never felt anything like this so I managed to trudge almost all the way to Third. Luckily, no one ever tried to throw it to third and I made it there safely. Unlucky for me, I had pulled my hamstring. I had pulled my hamstring being one of the youngest men on the field, and in the league. I had pulled my hamstring my first time on base in a Senior league.

Let the recovery begin.