It was an ordinary day. Just finished taking photos of the Manheim Township baseball team for their 2014 Yearbook. On my way to the car someone lined a foul ball in my direction so I grabbed it and attempted to throw it back to the field. Not a good thing to do!
I should have remembered last year when I tried to so the same thing and could hardly lift my arm for a couple of days. The joints and muscles just aren't the same as they used to be. I can't imagine how a professional baseball pitcher, who has played for 15 years or so, and has thrown the ball thousands and thousands of times during those years, can still pick up a baseball and be able to throw it when he reaches say …… my age. I've had a lifetime of throws during my baseball career of playing and coaching and my arm can throw no more. Just can't!! All started when I was a young boy living on North Queen Street and would play "off the wall" in the parking lot behind my house.
Did that day after day, year after year, every day of the summer as well as part of the fall and spring. Then came organized baseball when I was 12 and I played Midget-Midget, Jr. Midget, Midget, High School, Legion and organized softball. While I was playing softball I coached Midget-Midget, Jr. Midget, and Midget and finally Midget ball. During practice sessions I would pitch batting practice to everyone of the players.
Most times I would throw 30-40 pitches to each player during every practice. Take that number times the 15 or so players and it starts to add up. Then there were the times when I would play baseball with my kids in the back yard or at the nearby school. My arm must have thrown a couple million baseballs and softballs in my lifetime. And ….. NOW IT IS WORN OUT!! There comes a time as you age that you know when there is something that you can no longer do in life. Run around the block, lift your grandkids over your head, shovel the driveway, etc., etc., etc. You reach that stage yet? There are many things that I can still do that my friends who are my age cannot, but throwing a baseball is not one of them. And I'm so upset I can't. I've always thrown a baseball. All my life!! I guess my arm is trying to tell me something. Will I listen? Hey, at least I can still get my arms around my sweetheart to give her a hug. Don't know what I'll do when I can't do that any longer. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. But, a sorry one!
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| Young boy playing Midget-Midget ball. |
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| Playing Junior Midget Ball. Middle row, far right. We were the best Jr. Midget team in the state of Pennsylvania. |
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| My Midget team that won the New Era Midget Tournament Title. I'm the coach on the left with a white shirt. |
LDub, this story could have been written by me. I am retired (but working part-time consulting) and just turned 60. Last fall, I hosted a cookout at our house for our small church, about 75 people attended. Some of the kids wanted me to play ball with them and I literally could hardly get out of bed the next day. My arm was sooooo sore. I played minor league, little league, middle school, high school, college, as well as softball until I was almost 50. But like yourself, I can no longer throw. I had no velocity and every throw was painful. Oh well.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I have a wonderful wife and my arms go around her just fine.
I really appreciate your blog. I read it a couple of times per week, and always read all the stories.
My wife and I are headed back to St. Martin in May. Again, I enjoy your blog.
Roland Whittemore
Roland, Thanks for the comment. What dates will you be visiting St. Martin? We will be on the island for a few weeks and maybe we could meet for dinner. We will be staying in a villa above Orient. Give me your email and I can get in touch with you if you want. LDub
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