Still in shock

"I am definitely blogging tonight" My final words after the opening day Brotherhood/C4 softball game we played in today. Now why did I say this, lets rewind to earlier today and find out. I woke up at 10 and was so excited, playing softball is what makes me get through the school year, its like opening presents on Christmas, and boy did Christmas come early this year. As I text and IM fellow teammate Steven Vernacchio about what we are going to do about getting an eighth player I was nervous and thought, we may not be playing today, it was a very stressful feeling, Steve tested his luck in free agency, as did I with prospect Tim VanFossen, but he came up short and was like I gotta chainsaw wood in my back yard for daddy, blah blah blah, Like I offered to take him out one night and buy him a couple rounds, I may be under investigation after today but he refused so whatever. I arrive to memorial field a.k.a "the sandlot" to both teams getting ready to engage in what would be a memorable game for some. Since we had a disadvantage with only 7 players to C4's eight I declared we should have home field, but Steven won rock, paper, scissors to secure us for home field. I played center field which was a very nice change due to the fact I am the only true pitcher on the team but Steven i think is trying to make a run at it. There was a tree in center field that was in the way but you just have to play, or go home and both teams are too prideful to do such a thing as bail, so game on. In the bottom of the first C4er "slidding pants" Della Vecchia broke his pinky finger, so it seemed and was rushed to the hospital via Jackie Keyes. But the game went on as the playing field became fair as we went 7 on 7. The game was something else, back and forth innings, strikeouts, dribblers, and shit talking like no other but like others at the same time because that is just we do. I played center field and third base, made a couple small errors, some nice plays and a diving catch in center field and boy did it feel good and at the plate I had a pretty decent game, yeah best friend Eric Vernacchio struck me out once but it is what it is and I had some good hits and some unfortunate outs but there was one hit that I will remember for the rest of my life. It came down to the ninth inning as the Brotherhood was down 20-23, I led off the inning with a shot at second basemen Bradford Burke that threw me out at first and with a loud "FUCK" I had felt I let my team down by not starting the ninth inning by not getting on base. There was a little commotion and joking around talks about suspension were said and I was disappointed but I did my best to let me team know I believe in them, there were a couple of hits and outs as I was standing on the mound pitching to my team due to the fact we had to pitch to ourselves showing there were only 7 as said before. Then the tables turned, I was given another chance to prove myself and make a moment happen. As I stepped up to the plate, I kissed the chain on my chest as it was the bottom of the ninth, two outs, bases loaded, these are the moments you dream of, that was all I was thinking about. The peanut gallery of both Brotherhood and C4 clammered about how this at bat could lead to suspension or a celebration, now even though it was only a joke it couldve sunk into my head. But I think I was the most relaxed I could've been at the plate because I wanted to prove myself and lead our team to victory, I wouldve been happy to just have gotten on base and exteded the game. So Pitch after pitch, they just weren't right, I couldnt find a juicy one. Between pitches people were talkin and trying to distract me, but I could not be rattled at all, I was nonchalant I was told everyone I wanted silence, then to a roaring quiet, then a shhhhh. I think I must have seen ten pitches and then there it was, I had a moment, I made a connection, I got a great swing and shot the ball up into center field and I remember running to first thinking this is going to be caught in center field and as I rounded first I saw the ball fall, I ran to second there was an up roar of noise, Burke in disbelief, teammates telling me to go home and I just kept running, as I rounded second on my way to third I was just saying in my head, please touch 3rd base and I did and my team headed into home plate, Adam Thompson running alongside saying come home and my moment took me to the cage where I jumped up onto it and hung on and yelled, cheered and screamed as I brought home victory to the brotherhood with a Walk off Grand slam and things would never be the same. And the thoughts running through my head and the ticker was just ..................... cause I was in shock that I won the game and I for once was the hero, it was much needed and a huge confidence boost. I'm still on cloud nine and get the chills just thinking about how we came together as a team and defied the odds by coming back and winning the first game of the season. I would be honored to say thank you to my teammates and that I hope we can take this win and continue to show C4 what they are not.

Til next time and next game, That ball is outta hereeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!