Tuesday, July 5, 2022 (Court Day #511)
I got off work and arrived at Skypark at 6:40 p.m. The parking lot was overflowing. Four portable nets were all set up, for a total of 8 courts. When I arrived two courts were empty and I soon got into a game with Paul and Matt against myself and Mark Dettle. Mark and I won, but I felt that I made a lot of uncharacteristic errors, but it was my first game.
And in my next game I was paired with retired firefighter Matt Smith against Paul and friend Matt. That was a much more lopsided game with Matt and me winning decisively. I played better in that game though I thought my drop shots are still higher than they should be.
I went on to play some additional games of no significant note.
Wow
The game of the night was a very strong player named Dan I’d seen around now and then—he wears a wide-brim straw hat and is about 5’11”. I don’t believe I’ve ever played with him before. I would consider him a 4.0 player—at least by his play tonight. He and I played against Casey and his dad Tim. I made too many errors, but that was a pretty fabulous back-and-forth game and there were some long rallies that were borderline unbelievable. There was one rally in particular the garnered applause and cheering from the players waiting and hanging out nearby. I really wish that I had recorded that game, it was pretty amazing. After that one incredibly amazing point—which ended when I dinked the ball into the net—it almost seemed as if Dan’s spirit had left his body, and he made a series of uncharacteristic errors and we lost the game. Hey, only I am allowed to make mistakes!
Rookies
I played a game with a man named Mike against Paul and the man’s teenage son Colin has surprisingly quick hands. Colin was better than the dad. Nothing to write about that game, other than there was a moment where I did a drop shot, got to the net facing the son and had a moment of delight I had a strong thought jump into my mind, ”I have you now!” It can be easy to whack the ball, but it’s a skill to have control during a dink rally!
And Not Wow
I went on to play some games with young David who is playing very, very well who played with Paul against Minori and me. I was basically falling apart in that game. I had shots into the net, shots too high that were slammed down for winners, dinks into the net, bleh. It was pretty depressing. We squeezed in one additional very quick game right before the lights clicked off.
Depressing
About 3/4 into the evening I felt as though I just wanted to go home, I was playing so poorly. I wasn’t very focused. There’s no doubt a combination of a long day, being hungry, and playing under lights (which is never my favorite). Heading home, I was pretty depressed.
Wednesday, July 6, 2022 (No play)
Today, I finally went ahead and ordered a Focus Training Paddle. I noticed last night that I had hit a few shots toward the edge of my paddle rather than the center.
I emailed Eric S. and asked about maybe regularly drilling in the mornings before work, but he’s a late riser, rarely leaving his house before 9 a.m. I generally don’t either, but I want to drill and am willing to give up a little sleep if necessary.
Number of days on a court: 511
Number of total hours: 2,362
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