The 25th YMCA Battle of the Businesses starts today. For many area workers, including several of us at the paper, that means an early trip to Bergman Park for a softball tournament.
We at The Post-Journal drew a coveted 8:30 a.m. game. I wrote the previous sentence without sarcasm; I learned last year that some games do start at 8.
I have no right to complain about having to fire up my coffee pot earlier than normal on a Saturday morning anyway. No one is forcing me to play. If I'm feeling a little groggy while standing in left field, I'll have no one to blame but myself for not getting to bed early enough.
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Scott Shelters
Last year, in my first fall at the paper, I was hesitant to participate in Battle of the Businesses events and softball in particular.
I'm not terrible at all sports - just most of them. As someone who doesn't throw, catch or hit particularly well, it's likely I won't be a first-ballot Slow Pitch Softball Hall of Famer.
I learned prior to last year's tournament, however, that I offer two things that some others don't. One, I'm willing - albeit somewhat reluctantly - to sign up to play. Two, I actually do show up and play.
I'll strike out, probably several times, but as our team captain told me last year when trying to convince me to participate, "It's OK if you're not good."
I tend to agree. I'm sure some Battle of the Businesses participants will be reliving memorable high-school sports or gym-class moments as they take the field this morning. Most people, though, will just be looking to have a good time.
For some of us, Battle of the Businesses provides a nice excuse to be a little more physically active than normal for a week each fall. I'll be participating in a 2-mile run next weekend and a relay during the week. Running is the physical activity which I'm least terrible at, so those events should be fun.
I missed out on laser tag. My co-workers swooped in and filled up that roster before I ever saw the sheet. That's OK, though; I don't need to overload myself with too many events.
After all, I need to spend enough time away from Battle of the Businesses to get my work done at the paper.