Rainbows and Safety Bags

On Halloween weekend, I traveled to Honolulu as a pickup softball player for a Sacramento team I’ve played with a bunch. This was my second tournament in two weeks. Don’t try this without an understanding partner.

Previously, I’ve only been to the Big Island.

This was definitely the land of the rainbows. I counted a number of them on a few cab rides, they were beautiful to see but as a softballer you get concerned about the waterworks, that’s a prerequisite for such charm.

As I arrived Thursday night, there wasn’t much time to play tourist before the games began. My softball group got together Friday for a small hike on the Manoa Falls Trail. That was all uphill. It actually fit well with the right amount of exercise I wanted plus some nature.

Waikiki was alive with tourist traffic. I stayed in a hotel that had a real 70’s vibe, in a good way. It had a laid back feel and retro look with a big pool in the main lobby. Each night they had either a dj spinning tunes or a random lounge singer. Music wasn’t blasting it was background. I could easily stay here again. It was also pet friendly. I said hello to a few dogs during the weekend.

We played great in the games. I was in a groove with my bat. I think it was bonus for me to play in my league’s fall ball season. As a player, I prefer the repetition of practice or games, It keeps me warm (softball-wise).

We were unbeaten on our Sunday contests but then the skies opened up and soaked us hard. They had to call the tournament. We took 2nd place based on run differential. The coach wasn’t happy about it. He was better afterward with a Margarita in front of him.

In one of the games, I was involved in a collision at first base on the safety bag of all places. I ran at top speed to get to it. I couldn’t slow down when the first baseman decided that he was going to be on the bag as well (the safety bag is for the runner and meant to prevent this very thing). I slammed into his 270-pound frame quite roughly. It reminded me of a line from Don Quixote: “Whether the stone hits the pitcher or the pitcher hits the stone, it’s going to be bad for the pitcher”.

The shiner I sported would have turned heads in the SF Eagle. After impact I forgot my manners completely. I let the player have an earful and the umpire for I guess not calling me safe sooner. We sorted it out. Their coach let me know that he was inexperienced in that position. I believe my response was: “grrrr” or something.