Like Deja Vu all over again

Game 16: Immanuel CMA won 10 -2
Game 17: Immanuel CMA lost 13-12

2008 record: 9-8

Let me begin by saying that tonight, we played 7 excellent innings. The problem was they were the first three innings of the first game, and innings 3, 4, 5 and 6 in game 2. This has been our problem all year. Only twice have we played more than a games worth of strong softball, and both times, we swept the doubleheader. Perhaps there is a correlation...

These are the nights that, if I were a weaker man, might cause me to drink. So let's try a little thing I like to call "on the other hand." Bear with me, as I might get a bit verbose.

We scored 10 runs in the first 4 innings of the first game. We hit the ball well, ran the bases well, and generally played strong all-around ball. On the other hand, we needed only 1 more run to end the game early, and we couldn't muster a single run in the last three innings of the first game.

After giving up 8 unearned runs in the beginning of game 2 (I'm not kidding - every one of their first 8 runs was a direct result of an error on our part), we came back with 12 unanswered runs of our own, 4 in the top of the 7th. On the other hand, we gave up 5 runs - 3 directly attributed to more errors - in the bottom of the 7th to lose by 1.

We held the other team scoreless for 9 of 14 innings. On the other hand, we couldn't maintain any momentum to make it count when we needed it.

Anita tells me I should give up focusing on winning and just have fun. While the advice is certainly sound, I am one of those uber-competitive people that finds winning to be fun. I freely acknowledge that I am not the word's best loser - and despite what some of you may think, I am much better at it now that I used to be. However, out of my deepest love and respect for my wife, I will try to focus more on having fun.

Of course, that means that the rest of the team has to focus more on winning. :)

All venting aside, we have now played everyone in our division, and while our record is not where I'd like it to be, we have proven that we belong with the other teams up here. We are over .500 at the halfway point for the first time in at least 4 years.

So, some thoughts heading into the second half...

• Let's stay focused - play every inning of every game 100% committed to supporting the team.
• Back each other up - not just on the field but through encouragement and positive attitudes.
• Teamwork wins games - no one's going to win the game on their own. There are 9 other guys on the field at all times, and together, we succeed. Individual effort with no regard to individual recognition is the best form or teamwork there is.

Oh yeah, and let's have fun!