I've been playing softball for quite a few years now, even though I started far too late, and in that time I've played for more teams than some people have eaten hot dinners. From a playing point of view my finest hour was probably the Manchester tournament in 1999 when I hit more home runs in one day than I do in most seasons and topped the batting averages for the Runners (see the team averages for that tournament below).

I don't think I'd ever be mistaken for a natural athlete but I've always been able to hit for average, and I can play a decent first base. A lot of hard work created some power a few years ago but that has now sadly gone. After many years of playing about with it I finally managed to pitch effectively in 2003. More or less immediately a chronic bad back stopped me from playing there regularly, though lack of alternatives has forced me out of pitching retirement a couple of times at tournaments recently (2007-2008).

I've always been interested in how the game works and I've done a lot of coaching over the years, most of it very enjoyable. There's nothing better than helping a player put it together or see them suddenly 'click'. The only bad thing about coaching is trying to get through to those who think they know it all already. Ironically it's often those with the greatest physical talents that have the closed minds. On the other side one of the big pluses with coaching is increasing age doesn't get in the way of continuing to learn and using your new knowledge in the same way as it hampers you when actually playing.

Dave

Motto: "C'mon Meat, throw me that weak ass shit."