Clifton Softball
I've noticed that my most recent posts are food and drink related. Not wanting to pigeon hole myself (or appear to be a greedy guts) I decided to try my hand at something active. I had a sniff around Google and found a merry bunch of sports fans who gather on Clifton Downs each Wednesday to play Softball. The e-mail invite that followed from 'The Fluffy Bunnies' conjured up thoughts of prancing through the grass throwing a spongy ball about. However, it ain't no "soft" ball. Where does the term 'softball' come from anyhow? It's like having a small planet hurled through the sky...and I thought Camogie was a health hazard.
Within minutes of standing 'outfield' I was transported via memory lane to schoolday PE classes where I ran away from any sporting equipment that was lobbed in my direction. So here I am, daydreaming on the edge of Clifton Down, when I get rudely awoken by one of my team mates yelling, "Catch!!" Jaysus, the fright when I looked up and saw a yellow Pluto flying towards my head. I ducked and feigned a lame catch type gesture until a fellow Bunny leapt in and whipped it out of my path. Right, going to have to pay attention. This is a matter of life or hole in head.
I slowly started to understand the goings on and eventually got a chance to swing the bat. I managed a comedy 360 and when I did hit the ball it was out leaving me to do the walk of shame to the sidelines. The team were very encouraging despite our pitiful score. I later found out that the Fluffy Bunnies aren't exactly at the top of the league so rocking up and meeting new folk is on everyone's agenda, which was exactly what I wanted to achieve. They even go to the pub to drink beer and eat chips, they're just like me but with mitts and bats.
On the first game I teetered between hating it and really enjoying it so I decided to go back and give it another shot. Week 2 saw the introduction of running for Sinéad Nua, I hit the ball and got to run to each base and eventually 'home'. I was met with a little applause by my new team. This game we won however I can't take any of the credit....well, maybe some. Hoorah, I am not deficient in sportiness!
http://www.cliftonsoftball.co.uk/
Image: cliftonsoftball.co.uk/
