*softball wars*
Hey kids! In case you don't go to kykernel.com (you SHOULD!), I decided to post my latest article on my blog to let you read it...hope you enjoy!
Little slugger faces gym class anxiety
By Mandy Langston
Kernel Columnist
I can only think of a brief few moments in my life in which I would consider myself an athlete.
Like most college students, my only shining moments of Olympic-style athleticism have resurfaced as polished-up glories that probably weren’t that great to begin with. My high school track uniform rests dormant in the bottom of my dresser drawer. I don’t want to even think about whether it still fits or not.
Beyond that, a few scattered memories and pictures exist of a middle school soccer team I may or may not have been on. As far as I can remember, we were undefeated one season and Rodney Dangerfield was our coach.
Wait. That was Ladybugs. Never mind.
If that poor excuse for a movie actually had been my life, I definitely would have been the girl hanging out as far from the ball as possible, playing with butterflies.
I have a dusty trophy in my room at home for the county championship, but I remain a bit hazy about what exactly went on to get us to that point.
The Johnson Center has provided a way to stay in shape during my time at UK. Many of my afternoons have been spent running on the indoor track and in pilates classes. Individual exercise is hardly an excuse for
athleticism.
Despite a brief stint on an intramural rugby team, my inner athlete has been all but unfulfilled. To be honest, I only went to one practice, took one hit and left feeling like I had been violated. The women who play rugby have all my respect as I definitely couldn’t hang with all the knocks to the head and mud in my mouth.
I suppose all this lack of activity categorizes me as an orphaned team member. The will to compete and succeed is there, just not the opportunity.
Until Thursday.
In one last desperate attempt to hold onto whatever athleticism existed in my youth, and before I graduate and slip into nothingness, I will play softball.
I have never played softball except for once in seventh grade. That left me with a severe case of gym class anxiety. Benchwarmer doesn’t even come near my phobia. I would be in the office faking a headache to avoid being forced to put a bat in my shaking hands and swing.
I am part of a team.
How do I know this?
I have a T-shirt.
This Thursday, the Kernel softball team, affectionately named the “Fightin’ Shafas” after one of our beloved reporters will take on the winners of the Team Ramrod vs. J-Hall Swingers matchup. I am more nervous about this than I have been about any test or presentation I’ve given in my college career.
While working last week in the Kernel, I pitched a football to a fellow writer and he said, “You’ve got an arm like a cannon! Do you want to play softball with us?”
Those old anxious feelings are starting to resurface, but this time there is no office to run to, and I most definitely can’t call my mom. I will have to face down my sports demons and swing with a mighty thunder that will put the fear of God in my opponents.
I hope I actually hit the ball.
In light of my fear, I anticipate that I will need much encouragement just to make it up to bat. It is quite likely that I will swing and miss each time, or else knock myself out with my own bat. Regardless, I am taking on this challenge. I have nearly mastered college life, and it is time to embrace a new challenge.
If any of you need a team to cheer for during the basketball off-season, have enjoyed any of the columns or just live on campus and have nothing better to do, I invite you to Seaton Field One on Thursday at 9 p.m. to watch the Fightin’ Shafas. It will present a chance for me to make a fool out of myself one last time in college.
Humility can be learned through hard work and embarrassment.
Mandy Langston is a journalism senior. Her views do not necessarily reflect those of the Kernel. E-mail kalang2@uky.edu.
Apr 14, 2004
Hey kids! In case you don't go to kykernel.com (you SHOULD!), I decided to post my latest article on my blog to let you read it...hope you enjoy!
Little slugger faces gym class anxiety
By Mandy Langston
Kernel Columnist
I can only think of a brief few moments in my life in which I would consider myself an athlete.
Like most college students, my only shining moments of Olympic-style athleticism have resurfaced as polished-up glories that probably weren’t that great to begin with. My high school track uniform rests dormant in the bottom of my dresser drawer. I don’t want to even think about whether it still fits or not.
Beyond that, a few scattered memories and pictures exist of a middle school soccer team I may or may not have been on. As far as I can remember, we were undefeated one season and Rodney Dangerfield was our coach.
Wait. That was Ladybugs. Never mind.
If that poor excuse for a movie actually had been my life, I definitely would have been the girl hanging out as far from the ball as possible, playing with butterflies.
I have a dusty trophy in my room at home for the county championship, but I remain a bit hazy about what exactly went on to get us to that point.
The Johnson Center has provided a way to stay in shape during my time at UK. Many of my afternoons have been spent running on the indoor track and in pilates classes. Individual exercise is hardly an excuse for
athleticism.
Despite a brief stint on an intramural rugby team, my inner athlete has been all but unfulfilled. To be honest, I only went to one practice, took one hit and left feeling like I had been violated. The women who play rugby have all my respect as I definitely couldn’t hang with all the knocks to the head and mud in my mouth.
I suppose all this lack of activity categorizes me as an orphaned team member. The will to compete and succeed is there, just not the opportunity.
Until Thursday.
In one last desperate attempt to hold onto whatever athleticism existed in my youth, and before I graduate and slip into nothingness, I will play softball.
I have never played softball except for once in seventh grade. That left me with a severe case of gym class anxiety. Benchwarmer doesn’t even come near my phobia. I would be in the office faking a headache to avoid being forced to put a bat in my shaking hands and swing.
I am part of a team.
How do I know this?
I have a T-shirt.
This Thursday, the Kernel softball team, affectionately named the “Fightin’ Shafas” after one of our beloved reporters will take on the winners of the Team Ramrod vs. J-Hall Swingers matchup. I am more nervous about this than I have been about any test or presentation I’ve given in my college career.
While working last week in the Kernel, I pitched a football to a fellow writer and he said, “You’ve got an arm like a cannon! Do you want to play softball with us?”
Those old anxious feelings are starting to resurface, but this time there is no office to run to, and I most definitely can’t call my mom. I will have to face down my sports demons and swing with a mighty thunder that will put the fear of God in my opponents.
I hope I actually hit the ball.
In light of my fear, I anticipate that I will need much encouragement just to make it up to bat. It is quite likely that I will swing and miss each time, or else knock myself out with my own bat. Regardless, I am taking on this challenge. I have nearly mastered college life, and it is time to embrace a new challenge.
If any of you need a team to cheer for during the basketball off-season, have enjoyed any of the columns or just live on campus and have nothing better to do, I invite you to Seaton Field One on Thursday at 9 p.m. to watch the Fightin’ Shafas. It will present a chance for me to make a fool out of myself one last time in college.
Humility can be learned through hard work and embarrassment.
Mandy Langston is a journalism senior. Her views do not necessarily reflect those of the Kernel. E-mail kalang2@uky.edu.
Apr 14, 2004
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