Athletics

I was thin and wiry when I was growing up. Bean pole may be an accurate description. Both of my parents were athletically-inclined, and so they signed me up in sports to channel some of my energy.

I think I might have mentioned previously that I was in soccer for a summer when I was 6. I didn't take to it, preferring to turn somersaults along the side than to actually run around after the ball.

In the summer before 3rd Grade, I signed up for softball. It must have been one of the first years they offered it, because there was a range of ages on my team. We were the Demons (which was ironic, because the next year, we were the Angels).


I played softball from that year through my sophomore year of high school, when my competitive fire had nearly died out and I just didn't care anymore. During that span, I played every single position on the field. I had a pretty good eye, and could be counted on to get on base either by walking or a bloop single. I didn't like the outfield (incredibly boring when playing other girls my age).

My sister came along three years after me and got most of my parents' athletic abilities. Her summer softball teams played in national tournaments. I made the All-Star team once. I did hit at least one inside-the-park home run, though. :o)

My other sport was volleyball. I started playing in 7th grade, and by the time I hit high school, I was a decent setter. My junior year I made the varsity team, mainly because I had a badass floating serve. My team wasn't very good, though, and as a benchrider, I only got to play when the starters either one the first two game or lost them (usually the latter). I got chewed out once by the coach because I had a bad game (blowing a serve in the 3rd game when we were already 0-2 in the match and "not cheering enough"). It was almost enough to make me quit midseason, but it definitely killed my interest in volleyball for my senior year. That year, I was a volunteer 7th grade coach instead. Much more rewarding and less hostile.

Until I was 5 months pregnant with my son, I played volleyball recreationally after high school. Once he's older, I plan to play again. Look out, world!