Batting lead off, playing third...

Blame it on my undergraduate degree (creative writing). Blame it on my ability to ramble for hours on random thoughts (hence starting a blog). Blame it on nearly three decades of participation in athletics (I'm only 33). The combination of which has lead me to create a blog on athletics. Not specifically my random thoughts on a particular team, city or sport (though Chicago sports will most likely take precedence if I do), but more so of the thoughts of an aging athlete, trying to hold on to those last glory days of recreational sports leagues.

My background in athletics is long, with moderate success. My father was a high school coach (now small college recruiter and coach) in track and cross country. Incredibly successful as a coach, and as a collegiate swimmer. He coached middle school basketball. It 'runs' in the family. I enjoyed a very successful career as a high jumper: All-State in Illinois, competing for a short time in the Big Ten. And really, I can only think of one sport I have not been able to play with a great amount of success. I cannot swim. Of all the sports... to have a father go to college and swim, I cannot hold my breath underwater without holding my nose. Never could. It's never been said, but how big of a disappointment must that be, to be a great swimmer, and have a son who has the body of a swimmer, not be able to swim. I can certainly play water sports (skiing, wake board... I can back stroke well), but cannot go underwater.

Any other sport... with a little practice, I can play it well. However as I slowly exit from my prime years, I focus on just a few recreational leagues with people my age, no longer able to play at the speed of high school and college kids.

And this is what this blog is about. A semi-successful former athlete, nearing the age of retirement. Everyone who plays in some league here or there has or will reach the point in their lives where it takes a little more time to warm up, takes a few more bags of ice after the game, might be a step too late getting to third, or a few inches too short on the jump shot. And for anyone who has seen some level of success, it is hard to take.

And that's what I'm going to celebrate.

- Tom.