Monday, March 20, 2023. (Court Day #584)

And I left work early and arrived at Skypark at 6 p.m. Tim F., Tim H., Evan and I had arranged to play our SCALPEL league match at 6:45 p.m. I told Evan that I’d be there at 6 p.m. so we could warm up.

When I got there things were surprisingly busy for a Monday night. Evan was already there and knee-deep in a game with Nolan against Kiko and Shanwté. That must’ve been a good game, I was a bit jealous!

The back of my right hand continues to be problematic. Forehands are mostly ok, but backhands are painful. I’ve been not playing in order to give my hand time to heal.

Warm Up Games

I warmed up with a guy name Marcus then ended up playing with David (with the Mexican accent) against Marcus and Tiffany. All 3.0 skill level players. It was a pretty balanced game. Initially, I was playing pretty badly and missing shots that I shouldn’t have been missing. It was good I wasn’t starting against strong players!

In my game with David, Tiffany, Markus, there was one short shot while I was at the baseline. In an attempt to get to the ball, I took a big leap with my left leg and I tweaked my left big toe. It was aching from there on out tonight. It wasn’t crippling, but there were certain motions that definitely hurt. It’s an old injury that appears once in a blue moon.

My group played a rubber match while Evan and his group played again as well.

League Play

We started our league match, the sun was still up and the lights weren’t on yet.

Evan and I lost the first game 11-6.

And we lost the second game 11-7.

Match over.

Evan and I were simply not playing our best. I was rusty from not playing. The two Tims were playing quite well. Tim H. whipped some crosscourt angled shots for winners. I was playing suboptimally with a bad toe and a bad hand, but that wouldn’t have likely garnered me more than a few points. Rust was the biggest factor. Evan and I were just outclassed tonight. Frustrating.

When I mentioned my injury to the Tims, Tim F. said, “I’ve seen you play better.”

More Games

Once the league matches were done, I probably should have gone home and rested my hand, but after losing two games, I want to “wash that out of my mouth” a bit.

Evan left and Nolan came on as my partner. We went down pretty fast against the two Tims but then came back but still we lost that game.

We played a second game which we also lost but the score was closer.

We played the third game and Nolan and I won that one handily.

We played a fourth game and Nolan and I won that one too, 11-8.

I felt a little bit better about the evening.

8:45 p.m. and I was out and on my way home to ice my hand.

Number of days on a court: 584
Number of total hours: 2,587.5
Number of paid coaching hours: 2

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