Tough loss

We were up 5-0, riding the excellent pitching by Leon Feingold into the 7th inning, and my job was to close the door and send Bet Shemesh home with their first loss of the season. What happened instead was very frustrating and a bit embarassing - I walked 4 straight batters, many on pitches that barely missed the strike zone, and I simply didn't make the needed adjustments to get the ball more over the plate. After I was replaced with another pitcher, Bet Shemesh's next hitter clocked a grand slam over the left-field fence, tying the game. The trouble didn't end until we were down by five runs. We pushed a run across in the bottom of the seventh, but could manage no more and we lost 10-6.

The loss was met with disappointment and a bit of disbelief, as well as the aforementioned embarrassment. A professional pitcher should not have that sort of breakdown, and I clearly have some work to do before I get on the mound again. I'm ready and willing to do what it takes though, and I look forward to being a critical part of this team once I find the zone.


Tomorrow we plan on heading to Netanya for the first time to explore the city whose name we bear on our jerseys. A bit of beach time and hopefully some good coffee will greet us there, and in the evening I hope to visit Ben for some good company and food.

-MK