Béisbol

During elementary school I believe that my grandfather, I referred to him as Grandad(s) (sometimes I included the s and sometimes I didn't, even though it was always meant to be in a singular form), tried to vicariously live his dreams of playing baseball through me. So I played little league baseball for five years in a row, maybe six. I was not good, at all. My grandads was the coach and co-coach of a couple of my teams, and he was always way more into it than I was. Every year he always talked me into playing by basically taking me to the sign-up whether I wanted to go or not.

So I played and I played and I played and got very discouraged through the years. I had zero hand-eye coordination. I couldn't make the bat connect with the ball and I couldn't catch a "pop-fly". During the first couple of years, I played catcher, and I never caught the ball and always had to go scrambling for it when it would go right between my legs. The rest of my baseball career I was always put in right field. If you know anything about baseball you know that right field during little league games basically means, stand there and look like you are ready to catch a ball; however, no balls will be coming your way. So I always played right field because the coach (not my grandad) knew that I sucked. I learned that if I would just step into the ball I would at least get on base, so from time to time, if I didn't feel like striking out and crying about it (because I always did for some reason), I would step into the ball and limp over the first base.

Then a game came, where I was basically taught how to catch pop flys and was kind of being trained to hit the ball. I was up to bat. I was very nervous. The pitcher throws the ball, strike one. The catcher throws it back. Repeat, the pitcher throws the ball, strike two. The catcher throws it back. The pitcher throws the ball one last time and I actually hit it! I, Shaun Alexander Spencer, hit the ball. I didn't just hit the ball, I killed it. It was all the way in far left field. I was so amazed I just sat there, it was completely quiet, and I stared at it. Finally everyone's yelling came into my ears and I started to run. First base, the coach tells me to keep going. Second base, keep going. Third base, I stop. I believe there was only one out at this point. Another kid comes up to bat and strikes out. Two outs. Another kid comes up and hits the ball! YES! I AM ABOUT TO MAKE A RUN! YES! I AM SO EXCITED. The center fielder catches the ball. before I make it to home plate. So bummed.

That was my last year of baseball, and I never wanted to nor do I ever want to play this sport again.