THE GAME WE WERE SUPPOSED TO LOSE

     The team gathered round me as we prepared to begin the series that would determine the 2012 championship of our Sunday morning softball league. It was 3 years since the Reds last made it to the finals and 4 years since we'd won it all. So this was a long time in coming, a very big deal to climax a season where we'd had to fight till the very last week of the regular season simply to make it into the playoffs.

     But we had made it and then swept to victory, 2 games to none, in the opening round. Now here we were with a chance to be the champs. And so I addressed the team: "Don't worry about today. I really don't think we can win. Let's just do our best, come back next week and try to beat them then.

     Not inspiring I know, but true. We were missing half our team. Until 2 guys showed up at the very last minute I feared we wouldn't have a player to cover every defensive spot. Turns out we did but only by utilyzing people in positions they were totally unfamiliar with. One of our pitchers was in the outfield. So was an injured infielder. Our catcher had shown up to only a few games and had told me midseason that his shoulder hurt so badly he should really wait till next year.

     Our opponents, on the other hand, had everybody. Their bench was absolutely filled with all their regular players, a bunch of substitutes, family members and fans. It looked like such a fun, happy place as they yelled and cheered and just exuded a sense of confidence.

     Damn they pissed me off!

     And just to make matters worse, there's a history between us and our opponents, the Wackers. We've met in the finals before with mixed results but a buildup of bad feelings. I suspect they once illegally used a "courtesy runner" to get a speedy guy on base in a crucial situation. In fact he scored the ultimate winning run. Some players have jumped from one team to the other...well, actually one, but he went from us to them and then back to us, annoying, at various times, everyone! Plus I'd tried to get the Wackers to postpone the game for the following week but they, knowing they had the advantage, refused. I don't blame them. I'd have done the same. Still that added to the hard attitude towards each other.

     So I expected to lose, the Wackers expected to win and that's exactly what happened...at first. In fact, in the very first inning,  a Wacker lofted a fly ball to our pitcher turned outfielder who misplayed it into a 2 run homer. See what I mean? No chance. They added runs in the second and third, we answered back with nothing and trailed, 4-0.

     We were down and they should have beaten up on us from there but we wouldn't let them. We had our pride and good pitching and a few of our guys made some good defensive plays, like our injured infielder in the outfield. The Wackers couldn't score anything more and we scratched out a run. It was 4-1 going to the sixth. The Wackers threatened but we turned a double play and raced off the field. Our turn but time was running out.

     But time was not working entirely in our opponents favor. Their pitcher was getting tired. He showed it by walking Adam on a 3-2 pitch. Warner singled to right. Dennis walked on 4 pitches. Bases loaded! Diaz singled in a run. Now we were within 2. Was it possible?

     Didn't seem so. Our pitcher playing the outfield popped up. Our injured catcher lofted a fly to left center for the second out. But daringly maybe crazily our runner at third was tagging up, trying to score! The Wacker outfielder, taken a bit by surprise, hesitated then unleashed a throw high over the catcher's head. Warner was safe at home with our 3rd run and Dennis rushed from second base to third.

     Tieing run just 60 feet away and to the plate came me. I'd already had a hit in the game but this one would be huge. We would tie up the game. I noticed the shortstop playing me too close to second base, leaving a very inviting opening between him and the third baseman. The pitch came in and that's where I hit it, solidly into left field. The game was tied.

     Tied? The game was tied with 1 inning to go? Is this possible?

     It was. We got the Wackers out in their half of the 7th inning, but only just barely on a close and disputed play at first, leaving 2 disappointed runners on base.

     Now it was our turn. With 1 out Max and Adam both singled. Two on for Warner and he wasted no time, driving a hard ground ball past the desperately lunging first baseman. Max flew around third base as the Wacker right fielder rushed in for the ball, picking it up and hurling it towards home as Max headed there. The throw was a little weak and faded to the catcher's right side. Max dove  to the plate on the catcher's left side. The catcher reached forlornly for the ball as Max slammed his left hand squarely in the middle of the plate.

     Safe! We'd won! I did not see that one coming. Now we need just 1 more victory and we'll be champs.

     I don't believe in jinxes or bad luck or the wrath of the Baseball Gods, well, or God for that matter. Now we are SUPPOSED TO WIN!!