about 7 years ago my wednesday night league consisted of 4 teams, two teams that were tourney teams who played in our league for batting practice, my team and another team of similar talent. My team was on really good terms with the other team of similar talent. We'd stick around after games and have some beers with each other. Occasionally if we needed subs and we were playing at different times we'd sub on each others teams. Just a good bunch of guys. Well, the week prior, one of the tourney teams (bunch of jerks) got tired of hitting gaps, so they decided to hit at players. They rocked the pitcher about 6 times. Fast forward to our game. I'm the number 4 hitter, and at the time i was straight pull and NEVER walked. He threw me one outside that would have walked me but i swung, hitting a one hopper that went off his shin. He threw his glove down and charged me. Not meaning to do it, i apologized up and down but nothing could be done to subdue him. He took a swing at me and missed, then his team got a hold of him. The ump knew we were all buddies and what had happened the week prior so he asked me if i wanted him ejected and banned for trying to hit me. I said "no, he's just a little sensitive to getting hit at right now". The next inning he popped up to second and instead of going back to his dugout he came down to 1st toward me. Took his hat off, stuck his hand out and apologized. So all in all, it was the worst up the middle hit i ever had, but cooler heads prevailed. After that, i learned to take outside pitches the other way and in 7 years, i can honestly say i have not gone up the middle. Some of you may say i'm a sissy cause going up the middle is all part of the game. Well, you're right it is part of the game but i'm good enough to control where i hit, and i choose to not hit right at the pitcher. When the games over, we still need to go home to families and get up for work in the morning.
