Tags
Albert Pujols, Bat, Corking the Bat, Driveway, Sporting Goods Store, Switch Hitting, Whiffle Ball
Does anyone still play whiffle ball? Years ago we used to play all over the neighborhood. We even had a league where we kept stats! We took fruit of the loom t-shirts and drew up numbers on the back with black magic markers. We made up fields. We’d park our asses anywhere in the street, schoolyard and even the parking lot of Prospect Park. ‘Have Field will Travel’! We ran the bases when we had enough players or we played automatics.
A few nights ago Taylor saw a whiffle ball and bat on display at the local sporting goods store and wanted to get it.
I had reservations about it because I knew how the bat was skinny and the ball had the holes in it and would curve when she threw it. I didn’t think it was a good idea.
Nevertheless, I bought it. As I was walking through the store, I saw a black tee complete with a rubber home-plate. I figured I’d buy the tee and we’ll place the ball on top and have her practice her swing while I stood out on the field and caught her grounders.
Long story short, after a few whacks off the tee, we both weren’t feeling it. It was too easy.
We tossed the tee aside and I pitched to her. At first she was stepping in the bucket. But after a few pointers from a lifetime .250 hitter, she was all set. She was connecting like Albert Pujols! Ripping line drives all over the street. Spraying the ball to all fields.
We chalked out some bases in the driveway and each night we have made a ritual of playing whiffle ball. I have since introduced her to switch-hitting; it’ll take some work but she has a natural swing. Also have been thinking of ripping off the top of the plastic bat, stuffing it with newspaper and showing her the fine art of ‘corking the bat’ (but that would be cheating, right?). I’m also thinking of rounding up some people to get a game of whiffle ball going!
-Steve
Hoops135@hotmail.com