Practice

As the old saying goes, April showers bring seasonal depression and early onset alcoholism.

And despite the soggy ground, muddy fields, achy joints and general lethargy it's time to pull out your mitts from the back of the closet and brave the elements... it's time to gird our glovely loins and hit the practice field.

Thursdays are a good day to practice since our games will be scheduled on Thursday evenings.

I have reserved Field #1 at Normandale Park every Thursday starting at 6pm during the month of April. That gives us 4 opportunities to start swinging the bats in the open air, 4 opportunities to get our arms in shape by playing a little catch, 4 opportunities to strengthen the bond that makes STG such a tough team to beat.

I understand that scheduling conflicts make it difficult for some of you to make it every week, I will do my best to squeeze in a few weekend practice days, weather permitting.

In addition to banging the rust off our collective game, practice is a great way to avoid injury; if you haven't swung a bat or thrown a ball or run for more than 60 feet at a stretch (that is roughly the distance between bases on the diamond) game situations can intensify your physical effort and leave you open to over exertion. I know it's just softball, but I've seen people hurt their arms and shoulders on a throw from the outfield or even a simple toss across the field, I've seen people pull a muscle trying to score from 3rd base on a close play or even the short/easy run to 1st base. And because it is just softball, I'd hate to see anyone get hurt because they weren't prepared.

On the days that the rain may prohibit practice on the field, please be flexible about meeting up at the batting cages on Stark:

Batting A Thousand

8829 SE Stark Street

PDX 97216

503/257-2255

See you on the field!