Apr7

From snowballs to softballs

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From snowballs to softballs

Last Friday, when Hubby and I attended a gig for that local band I’m fond of, I spotted someone who maybe sort of looked familiar.

“Do you see that man over there in the white jacket?” I asked Hubby. “Is that the guy I had the snowball fight with?”

Hubby wasn’t sure, but he knew who I meant. For my birthday two years ago, I booked the band at a brewery where I was friends with the bartender. I had gotten permission from him to bring 150 fake snowballs. One man in attendance that night was particularly into the ensuing fight, especially when it came to throwing snowballs at me.

The crazy dude on the left. On the right is the woman who kindly took it in stride when I accidentally hit her several times while aiming at my chief adversary next to her. Crazy chic in the center: me.

“Should I ask if it’s him?” I said to Hubby.

“If you want,” he said, not nearly as perplexed by this mystery as I was.

But how to broach the subject with this possible total stranger? “Did I have an epic snowball battle with you nearly two years ago?” Or perhaps I would start slower: “Have you heard this band play before? Do you remember a time they played and there was a snowball fight?”

Without fully figuring out my approach, but curiosity getting the better of me, I announced, “I’m going to go find out.”

When I got close, the man stood up, said, “It’s the snowball lady!” and gave me a hug.

That answered that!

We spent several minutes rehashing our fondest memories from that night. His wife, sitting next to him, hadn’t been there. She told me he talked about it a lot when he got home.

“I’m living proof!” I told her. “The stories are real!”

Reuniting and reminiscing complete, I returned to my seat.

But then I thought of you all…

I returned and told him of writing about that night and him specifically on my blog. “Readers who remember that will be pleased to know I saw you again. Mind if I get a picture with you?”

He didn’t mind.

He gave me his email address so I could show him the earlier post that featured him. My email signature notes the books I’ve written, so I appreciated his funny response:

Didn’t realize I was pelting a local celebrity; I certainly wouldn’t have aimed at your head so often had I known it could affect your livelihood…

I must admit it was one of the most unexpected fun occasions I have ever attended. I knew from the start you were trouble, but like you, I’m not the type of person to back away from a challenge, especially a fun one. Keep me posted on your next birthday, I’ll be working on my curve ball.

Indeed, I spoke with my guitarist friend about booking them this year, perhaps at this new venue, since the old one has been burned after the brewery owner screwed me over last year. Hopefully that will work out, and maybe I’ll get permission to bring the snowballs.

And now the softballs, which are a lot harder than the fake snowballs.

Sensei talked me into playing softball last night.

It was not at all advisable, with my gimpy foot and my utter lack of softball playing experience, unless you count 8th grade gym class, which I would not.

But Sensei manages a co-ed softball team, for which he only had one female player scheduled for the upcoming game, instead of the usual three. If there’s only one, they have to forfeit. If there are two, they can play, but the missing 3rd girl is an automatic out when it’s her turn to bat.

Sensei asked if I knew anyone who could play. I made inquiries on his behalf but came up empty. Surely I wouldn’t be playing. I couldn’t. I walk a little funny let alone run? It was unthinkable.

And yet, he texted:

I suggested option D where I simply catch the ball. To see if I could, we played catch for a while after the next Taekwondo class. I was actually decent at this. He said, “I think you’ll be fine.”

I still wasn’t committing to playing, however. I only agreed to test my catching/throwing skills because I was genuinely interested in how I would do.

Then he offered his best argument:

Obviously, he wasn’t taking the flattery route. I suggested he keep trying to find someone else. But just in case…

I told him I didn’t want to disappoint him by my lack of ability. He assured me the pressure was low, they were sure to lose, but they would rather play and lose than not play at all.

Finally, with that assurance, I relented.

That something else might be the blog post thing. He knows you’re my weakness.

And so I held a bat for the first time since I was, what, 12? Several teammates called from the dugout, “We believe in you, Betsy!”

They believed too soon.

I hit the ball, it popped straight up, and was immediately caught by the catcher. Just like that I was out.

At least I never struck out, though I did miss maybe three pitches total. Another ball I hit was caught, though it went farther than that first one. And several hit the ground quickly enough for me to get on base! Someone later congratulated me for my “line drive toward third.”

“Sure. Thank you.” I basically knew what that meant but didn’t pretend to have done it on purpose.

So I got to first a few times, second a couple times, then once third, and, on the next play, made it home–potentially for the first time ever. I don’t remember 8th grade gym class very well.

On defense, I played catcher since it required the least movement, and my running wasn’t great. (I’m not sure it would’ve been much better without the foot injury.)

I threw several balls back to the pitcher when the batter missed, but never caught the ball to get someone out. Once it was thrown wildly to me, and the sympathetic umpire told me there was no way I was going to get that one anyway.

Despite our assured loss, we won 21-17.

Sensei gave me a souvenir ball.

My foot and ankle are a little worse for wear today, but that was to be expected. I’m all about new experiences, and this was a good one. I’m glad I went, though I now know I’m in danger of being asked again.

We’ll see, Sensei. We’ll see.

So what do you think, friends? Crazy that I ran into that guy again? Would you have talked to him? Foolish of me to play softball with my bad foot and lack of skill? Would you have played?

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59 responses »

  1. As far as talking to the guy you obviously made his life so why not? Besides he thinks you make a living selling books so that’s a positive ego hit. As far as baseball is concerned, even though you did it for the blog just trying to get Sensei to say you didn’t suck would have been enough. You could have skipped the game.

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    • I had no idea I had “made” snowball guy’s life. Haha on the ego hit. I do make a living in my day job writing and editing, so he wasn’t far off. Lol on the “you didn’t suck” from Sensei. And I did it to help him out and for the new experience, not just for the blog. But it was a fun thing for the blog. 🙂

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  2. What a fun post! And the best title ever. From snowballs to softball – yes! I’d say Sensei has your number and, I’ve said this many times about you, you are a good sport!! Betsy for the win!! 🙂 ❤

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  3. How fun that you ran into Snowball Thrower again. I didn’t follow you two years ago, but I feel as though I heard about it. Maybe your last birthday? I would have totally asked him about it!

    No, I sucked at softball in gym class, so that’s a hard pass, even with limbs fully functioning. My oldest was a star fast pitch softball pitcher in high school and was recruited for college, but opted out in the end. She got none of her talent from me. I wasn’t bad at tether ball though!

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    • Tether ball! Awesome. My “sports” were badminton and Frisbee. I played those with my siblings at home, so they were the only ones I got really good at. Why are there no badminton leagues?? 🙂

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  4. What fun, Betsy! So nice you connected to snowball guy. And that Sensei is a hoot! He knows you so well. What humor you both share. I’m envisioning “101 Tips On How Not To Suck At Taekwondo”. Senses gives tips, you give us what really happens. Best seller, guaranteed.

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  6. I think that’s a perfect reason for doing something, “I could do a blog post about it.” And since it ended with a blog post with no need to visit a hospital, well that’s just win-win, isn’t.

    but, next snowball fight, don’t bring a softball – different things …

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  9. love the serendipity of the meeting up again “Snowball lady”. What fun!
    I draw the line at being drafted for softball when all of my fam plays on a co-ed league in town and take the win most years. I’m too competitive to loose, like you but now I’m glad as the hips don’t lie. Unless they offer you a signing draft, I vote you stay away…. just sayin💞

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  10. So funny that you recognized that guy. I probably would have approached him. If nervousness ever stops anyone from approaching someone like that, well, the bar is only a few steps away. Have a drink (or two) first!

    And to that softball quiz, my answer is an unequivocal “A.”

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  12. How fun to run into snowball man again, Betsy, and be recognized too (though that’s not surprising). And congrats on winning the game. Clearly, you were well prepped by that snap quiz and knew just what to do, sort of. 😀

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  13. If you consider all of life to be play, then the advice to wear comfortable clothes is timeless. As for me playing softball, no way. I hate all sports that involve balls coming at me. Now let me move the ball in a direction, like in croquet, I’m happy. That’s a good sport!

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  14. Crazy Dude looks as labeled in the first photo and remarkably normal in the second. And now you are Snowball Lady to the rest of us. Maybe we need a blog post listing your several nicknames, with links to their explanations. I’m sure it’s a long list, “Bethany” 🙂

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    • You’re right about him looking not so normal, and then normal. I think the same could go for me with those two pics.

      So true on the nicknames, Dave. I don’t think you were around when I was Crazy Chex Mix Lady. That one lasted a while. Ah, Bethany. That was a funny moment. Yep, Snowball Lady is a new one. 🙂

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    • I’ve never cared much for either playing or watching. In fact, I’m not sure which would be worse. But in this case, I think watching would have been boring. Though, at one point, I did ask the umpire how long until the game was over. The whole thing was more stressful than fun.

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  16. Oh….think of all that we would miss out on if we ignored all of the ill-advised adventures that cross our paths! I knew you could do it. Not played, ever really, and you got on base? Well done!

    Nice to see Snow-Ball-Man again. How wonderful he remembered you!

    I miss you.

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    • Maybe I don’t. Also, it turns out, now that I’ve gotten to know Snowball Man, he works with the drummer and the singer of this band, so that’s how he happens to be at another gig, sort of like me knowing the guitarist. Small musical world, maybe?

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  21. It really is a bummer to see you still having nagging symptoms from your foot. Makes me feel bad for throwing out all those leg puns. Hope you one day kick those problems to the curb. You know I’ll always be here keeping up with your recovery process!

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