Friday, September 22, 2017 (Court Day #72)

Just before the 9 a.m. starting time, I pulled into the Brommer Park parking lot. I was expecting more people, but there was only one game going. It was Leslie (site coordinator) with a guy I’d seen once before against two unfamiliar faces.

I played a number of games, including with and against Stuart. In a game against him, I was the starting server. Laughing, “You are going doooown, Stuart!” I think he had Sandra as a partner and I had Angie. We lost that first point, so about 30 second later came: “You’re going doooown next time, Stuart!” Though Angie and I did go on to win that game!

I played a game with Tom, the shorter 4.0 player with the killer serves. He was my partner and won probably 4 points just off of his serves. It was a very quick game. Our opponents served no more than three times, and it might have even only been twice!

At about 10 a.m., the orange marker went away and the three skill level markers came out. I have hopes that someday, I’ll be a red. In the meantime, I’m a strong blue.

Later in the morning, Greg and I played a game against his wife Angie and Sycha. I love Greg and Angie. They are both super nice people. Sycha too. This was a great game. Sycha and Angie are good players and it was a battle. They pulled out ahead initially but Greg and I worked our way back. I was playing well today. Not perfect, but well. Enough so that Greg said, “I should let you take all the shots!” That’s always a nice thing to hear.
It was a busy gathering. Once things ramped up, there were 32 people on the courts at all times and we had 15-20 people waiting.

People waiting to play. Cam is closest. Tim is in the woven hat and dark blue shirt. Off to the left, the man sitting in the white shirt and wide hat is Gary and to his right is Greg. There were at least half a dozen waiting people that aren’t shown in this shot.

There was a first today. There was a lob coming down and I completely whiffed slamming it. It dropped at my feet!  Yes, the sun was high up and I was on the “sun in your face” side, but still. *sigh* Embarrassing!

As game foursomes were forming up Sandra invited Beth Black to join her, me and Jeff. Beth told me, “You have good hands.” Kidding, I held my hands out in front of her for review. “You should be a hand model! You should wear oven mitts!” Beth was complaining that sometimes when she plays at Skypark no balls get hit to her, “They just want to win. I want to get better.” I ecouraged her,  “I’ll hit everything to you.” And I did. Well, not everything, but everything I could manage to. During the game, after a rally at the net, she said, “See? That’s what I’m talking about. Good hands.” I played very solidly in that game, not too many mistakes. I did hit one to her too high over the net which she slammed back for a winner. Jeff said, “You can hit it to Beth, just don’t hit it like that!” And I mostly didn’t. Still Jeff and I lost that one.

Sandra (in black) against Jeff (in black) with two guys who I don’t know. Yes, courts all solidly full.

My last game of the day was a singles with visor Jeff while we were (hopefully) waiting for a couple players to join us. He took the lead 3-1 until I adjusted to the singles game. I won 11-4. Ball placement is critical in singles, there just isn’t time to cover all the space you need to cover. You have to think a shot or two ahead. In doubles, you can often get away with not planning so much.

Today was a very enjoyable outing. While I played a few of games with weaker players, it was a mostly with opponents who provided a challenge.

Around the Post

Oh, there was one game after I won a point, when an opponent exclaimed, “That was a great around the post shot!” I remember the ball being off to the right. Funny thing is, whatever happened was so natural, I don’t even remember the shot! I can’t picture the path of the ball. Based on what was said, it must have been an ATP shot, but darned if I could say it was over or around! Such a bummer that I can’t mentally confirm it! It’s like giving a great speech in your sleep. Oh, well! I’ll just have to do it again!

I have to get my video camera out again to provide a record of where I am.

At 12:30, I was on the road to home then work! 

Number of days on a court: 72
Number of total hours: 206

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