A Real Kick
Some of team Alive and Kicking. Not sure why I opted for that particular posture - maybe to make myself look like I was in middle school again?
I remember playing kickball in gym class as a kid. That big red rubber ball that was very grippy and very squishy. Easy to kick, didn’t hurt when you got hit with it.
It’s essentially baseball but with that ball. Force-outs happen like in baseball, but the real fun is throwing the ball at someone to get them out. Honestly, that’s the reason you play at that age. Not the kicking, not the scoring, not the winning or losing. Getting a chance to throw something at your classmates and not get in trouble.
We probably played it a few times every year through middle school. I’d periodically play it after that when an impromptu game would get thrown together, but I think it’s been nearly 30 years since I last played.
Well, until three weeks ago. But this is not that carefree kids game.
One of our neighbors wanted to find a way to grow relationships in the neighborhood and got over twenty people to sign up for a city-run kickball league. There are three tiers: beginner, rec and competitive. We, obviously, are beginners, and the plan was to get out there, learn as we went and have some fun together.
We had a couple practices ahead of time, some of us read over the rules and tried to translate them for the rest and we tried to figure out everyone’s ability level. We even have a coach! He was nominated because he plays a family kickball game once a year.
We arrived at our first game with spirits high. The first thing I noticed was that the ball was smaller and harder than what we’d been practicing with. It stung a bit when you kicked it. But, no matter, we’d adjust. The second thing I noticed is that the umpires were calling it by the book, no warnings, and we were not very nuanced in our rule-understanding so that got us a couple times. The third thing was that the other team was super-competitive, and really seemed to know what they were doing. And the last thing was that the other team bunted most of the time. We did not, we’d kick away and pop out or get thrown out. They’d bunt and get on base and eventually score.
Well, we did manage to get a few folks on base, and started figuring out defense a little bit as the game progressed. But we got shut out 15-0 or something.
Well, turns out we had inadvertently signed up for the rec level instead of beginner. That explained a lot.
We’ve played three games so far and have done a little better each time. At some point I anticipate we will score a run or two, but for now we’re happy getting better on defense.
Oh, one other thing about our team. Most of us are in our forties and fifties, and in decent shape. But we’re losing folks to injuries each week. It’s a weird sport in that you mostly don’t do much, but then suddenly have to sprint ten feet to get a ball, or try to sprint to a base after a kick. So a lot of quick movement from standing still. Prime situation to pull a hamstring or calf, or tweak a hip. Even I felt sore and ginger in weird muscles after playing, even though I do all the training for ultimate.
So, all in all an interesting experience from a competitive and athletic point of view. But I’ve met a lot of new neighbors and we’ve definitely learned a lot about each other. Looking forward to spending more time with all of them, and hope that next season we’ll be even better! Or switch to competitive knitting.
