Perhaps once in my illustrious baseball and softball career did I play shortshop. I have to believe I was eight at the time and just barely above Tee Ball. In fact, I usually played places like second base, right field, and other places where my coach would limit the damage I could do to my own team. I never felt comfortable making any of the throws in the infield. Once I started playing in intramural leagues I found a comfort zone anywhere in the outfield, especially since throwing accuracy doesn't matter much. But tonight we were quite short-handed, down to eight players out of a possible ten, and coach Mike thought I should play shortstop.
It started out pretty routine. In my first couple of innings I only had to field two easy pop-ups. Then, a batter hit a sharp grounder to my right. On achy knee I raced rightward, hoping to reach the ball in time to knock it down. As it approached I realized I would not be able to get in front of it. I made a backhand stab at the ball, not completely unlike a pro like Jimmy Rollins. And surprise of surprises, the ball was in my glove! I was so excited -- this must have looked like a really cool play, one where I looked like I knew what I was doing. I was so excited I forgot where the runners were. Then I realized there is always a play at first. I came up firing and was rewarded with my first infield put-out that I can remember!
Believe it or not I wasn't done tonight. Another batter hit a slow grounder to the second baseman, which would be fine except that with eight fielders we were not playing a second baseman. As shortstop it was my responsibility to try to run it down. Again my knee protested as I moved as fast as I could. I didn't expect to reach it in time, but when I did I realized the angles were quite twisted: a ball hit to 2nd, me running from short, turning my glove towards home, yet having to throw to first. I scooped the ball and managed an off-balanced throw on the run, and got the runner by a half step!
I started out the game hoping not to embarrass myself, and ended up looking like a competent shortstop. Who would have guessed?
The game in general was a bit odd. Both teams hit like crazy in the beginning. After one inning it was 8-7 and after two it was 12-12. Then the bats fell mostly asleep, 14-14 after six. Shoulda Slud's bats caught fire again for a six-run 7th. The opposition countered with a ground-ball out to fifth-string third-baseman Steve, a pop-up to fourth-string shortstop me, and a foul ball that coach/pitcher Mike made an incredible diving catch to end the game.
My line: 2-6, R, RBI (in a 20-14 game ... ouch!!)