Playing games as a child was always fun. Running around, jumping, yelling, and even the occasional win made it even better. Now, those that know me know that I have never been the athletic type. I didn't play football, baseball, or any sport growing up. Don't get me wrong, I like to throw a ball on occasion. Sometimes playing these games is not always that fun.

I can recall one instance that they were not fun.

I can not remember what age I was during this first story but it had to have been around the mid to late 1980's. I wasn't quite a preteen nor was I in kindergarten but that's neither here nor there. Anyway, my sister and I were at our grandparents house in the backyard. We had decided to play baseball. We had a bat and a ball (we were ready for the Majors). So, there we were in the backyard ready to play some ball. I was up to bat and my sis was on the mound (well, she stood about 12 or so feet away from me). She was pitching the ball over-handed and I just couldn't seem to hit it. Of course I didn't take into consideration my lack of athletic ability. As she continued to try, I continued to miss. In my frustration I suggested trying to throw it under-handed. She refused of course and I insisted. She argued that she couldn't throw that way.

I should have listened. As soon as the ball left her hand I knew I was in trouble. There was no stopping what was about to happen. The next thing I know, "POW!" right in the ear. Immediately following that was the fluid motion of me going limp and falling to the ground. No, I didn't pass out but I probably would have welcomed the relief from the sudden onset of pain. My sis was scared, I guess she thought she killed me at first. After running to get help the first thing she said to me was, "I told you I couldn't throw under-handed." Those were words of wisdom I carried with me for the rest of my childhood. That day, my baseball career ended.

I still love my sis but to this day I refuse to play baseball with her.