Being recruited

A couple of friends from Living Word put a full court press on me to get me to play softball with them. It's been rare that I get recruited with such tenacity. I'm a good ball player, but wouldn't say I'm great. I hustle, try not to make too many errors and try to encourage other guys. But compared with most guys that teams want, I wouldn't say I'm near that caliber.

It would be cool to go back to play with them. Sounds like they just need another solid player to help them get over the top.

From what I hear, they've got a few too many "egos" on the team. Isn't that the problem with all teams these days? Everyone thinks they're better than they really are. I just heard a story of a young guy that quit because he was asked to sit a few innings?

But you hear about it everywhere. I've seen it in the softball and basketball leagues I've played in. I've heard about similar stories in my brothers soccer league.

This is how you win. Let me break it down:

1: Play within yourself. Chances are you are not fast, you are not a HR threat, and you have a weak arm. Don't try to be something you're not.
2: Play like you've played the game before and learn like you never have played before.
3: Be a team player. It doesn't hurt to sit a few and let a lesser player get some time. You are not the greatest. If you were, you wouldn't be playing in that league. If you're good you'll be out there again soon.
4: Be a hustler. Again it's a rec league and ESPN is NOT there. No Web Gems. No "Goin' Deep" props. If you want to win, play harder than the other team.
5: Do the dirty work.
6: Hit singles and double and RUN, Baby, Run. I've only met one man who can hit a HR on demand. And even he doesn't try to every time.
7: Listen to your Captain/coach. He's probably a volunteer. He's not getting paid, and doesn't deserve the crap most people give him. If you don't like something talk to him.

Sports should be fun, and winning is really fun. But it's not the only thing and it's not everything.

But nothing takes the fun out of amateur sports more than whiny, pouty, bragadocious, self-promiting, cocky, average players.