Every spring for the past couple of years, my husband and I have played flag football with some friends from work and school.  It’s always good exercise and lots of fun.  We did really well this year – minus a few issues with game attendance (for our team).

This fall, for the first time ever, we are participating in a local, co-ed softball league with some good friends.  Our team, “Team Schweaty,” has several ladies who played softball in high school and one who played in college.  The guys are all pretty competitive and overall, we’re pretty excited for our first game on Sunday.

Tonight will be our first “official” practice.  I have to admit, I’m a little nervous.  I played varsity softball in high school, but only my sophomore year… and I lived in Hong Kong at that time (translation = not a very difficult region/conference for an American school with regards to softball).

To make matters worse, I couldn’t even get my number for my jersey.  My college field hockey number was 17 – which was also our friend Brandt’s football number.  My freshman year of college I was 18 (because it was all that was left) – that number just happens to by my husband’s football number.  Last but not least, my high school field hockey number, 21, and basketball number, 12, were both taken by other members of the team.

So what number did I pick?  The only number guaranteed to get me in the “Hall of Fame in 20??,” #85… That’s right, ocho cinco.

For those of you not into football, 85 is Bengals WR Chad Johnson’s number.  No, I’m not a Bengals fan (GO COLTS!) – but I am a Chad Johnson fan.  Known for his outbursts, big mouth, crazy hair and end zone celebrations/dance moves, Mr. Johnson is now my inspiration for this fall’s softball season.

I’ll be sure to post my stats, because I know they’ll be wonderful and really of interest to the few of you who actually read my blog. 

Until the stats are up, I’ll leave you with these parting words from the original Ocho Cinco, “Some people are old-school and I'd rather not hear the negative things that they have to say about celebrations.  Anyone who has anything positive and would like to see anything on Sundays, feel free to contact me.”