Softball.. the not so painless sport!

Softball... When you think of softball, do you typically think of a broken shin bone, how about bruises on your back, what about a scrape mark on your elbow that took the whole top layer of skin off? Do you think about a dislocated thumb, maybe a bruise on your thigh the entire length of your outer thigh, then again, maybe a bruise to your ankle that extends up your leg almost to your knee? These are some of the major injuries Derek has suffered over the years.

The broken shin bone from a hit ball while pitching... about 3 weeks ago

Bruise #1 to the back where ball was thrown as he was sliding into 3rd and it hit him instead of the 3rd baseman's glove... 5 days ago

Bruise #2 to the back from a hit ball (again at pitcher position) he turned away from the ball (to avoid a hit to the frontside!) and as he was turning the ball skimmed his back enough to leave a welt/red mark and then tore the skin completely off his elbow and the ball did not slow down... last night!

All those other injuries listed above... over the course of the last 8 or so years and I'm sure there are others I have forgotten about.

Here is a pic of the bruise to the thigh from last year. It got MUCH bigger, this was still day one!

Derek plays in a very competitive league and tournaments. This is not beer league ball, these games are very fun to watch, some great competition. I enjoy watching these games more than any other league or team he has been on, plus I keep score so I thoroughly enjoy these times. Not sure how much longer these times will last with all these injuries, I think Derek is wondering the big ? How much longer do I put my body through this!

The season is not over yet, lets all keep our fingers crossed that Derek does not suffer any more punishment while playing the sport that is his passion!