Blog archive
April 2024
Stimulated by "Caste"
04/22/2024
Tulsa reparations, Religion and Politics
04/09/2024
March 2024
Trumps War with Black Women
03/31/2024
Addressing The Needs of Older Adults Through Pasadena Village
03/25/2024
Coming Soon: More Resources for Older Americans, Online and in Person
03/25/2024
Community Building Locally and Nationally
03/25/2024
Preparing for the Future with Ready or Not
03/25/2024
Volunteering is at The Heart of the Village
03/25/2024
Women's Liberation: Then and Now
03/25/2024
Writing Memoirs Together
03/25/2024
Current Views on Current Events
03/20/2024
Unchained
03/18/2024
Rumr of Humor issue # 2409
03/10/2024
Blacks Portrayed by European Artists
03/03/2024
Rumor of Humor #2408
03/03/2024
February 2024
Caring for Ourselves and Each Other
02/27/2024
Doug Colliflower Honored
02/27/2024
Great Decisions Connects Us to the Worldwide Community
02/27/2024
Letter from the President
02/27/2024
Pasadena Village's Impact
02/27/2024
The Power of Touch
02/27/2024
Villages as a New Approach to Aging
02/27/2024
Addressing Gang Violence in Pasadena-Altadena
02/21/2024
Rumor of Humor Issue 2407
02/19/2024
Thank You For Caring.
02/12/2024
Rumor of Humor 2405
02/11/2024
Curve Balls
02/10/2024
Sylvan Lane
02/10/2024
Rumor of Humor 2404
02/09/2024
Larry Duplechan, Blacks in Film
02/03/2024
January 2024
Pasadena Village Joins Community Partners in Vaccination Campaign
01/29/2024
Rumor of Humor #2403
01/28/2024
Pasadena Village Joins Two Healthy Aging Resource Projects
01/25/2024
Decluttering: Do It Now
01/24/2024
Village Volunteers Contribute to the Huntington Magic
01/24/2024
Villagers Creating Community
01/24/2024
Villagers Reflect on Black History Month
01/24/2024
Walk With Ease, 2024
01/24/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Wide Ranging Discussion on Current Issues
01/22/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2402
01/21/2024
Rumor of Humor # 2401
01/15/2024
Re- Entry Programs, a Personal Experience
01/08/2024
Curve Balls
By Edward A. RinderlePosted: 02/10/2024
I'm a pretty good fast ball hitter. The ball comes straight, more or less. I can judge pretty closely when and where it will arrive. When it's heading for the strike zone, I can put a good swing on it. Yes, sometimes I miss, or I hit it foul. Sometimes I pop it up. But often I hit it hard. And I get to run. To first base, to second, or, on rare occasions, to third. I feel proud of my effort, even if the ball ends up in the mitt of a fielder.
Then one day a unique opportunity came my way – a ball headed for the heart of the plate. Licking my chops I took a mighty swing. And I missed. Badly. My bat cleared the zone well before the ball arrived. Even worse, the pitch was at least a foot out of my reach. I had met my first curve ball.
What a wicked pitch is the curve ball! It can come right at me - I flinch, then I watch helplessly as it tails away into the strike zone. That missile from hell can move away a few inches or a few feet. It can catch the inside corner or sweep away beyond the zone.
Even worse, it's slower than a fast ball. If I anticipate a curve and my guess is wrong, a fast ball can blow right by me. And I look with regret as a pitch I should have hit pops into the catcher's mitt.
I am trying to figure out these curve balls. I usually swing and miss. Sometimes, I make contact, but the result seems always to be a weak grounder to the infield. And I'm beginning to notice how tired my arms are getting as I flail away at fast balls and curve balls alike.
I've never hit for much power. I usually get a bit under the fast balls and loft them a bit too high. They always fall short of the outfield fence. But to my surprise I have yet to hit a curve ball high into the air.
One of these days I'm going to recognize a curve ball heading toward the center of the strike zone. And I'm going to put a good swing on it. Swinging with all my might, I will make solid contact. And I'll watch the ball soar toward the heavens. And clear the fences easily.
Then, finally, I will run . . . all the way home.