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No I am not talking about the Strike Zone. I am talking about being in "The Psychological Zone". Saturday I worked a High School Alumni game, 1 man crew. When I arrived at the field, 1 hour before the game, I found and spoke with the Head Coach. The field was in great shape. He advised me that the alumni team had 4 Professional F1s on the squad. They would pitch the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th innings and we would be playing 9. He also advised me that when they came out to pitch we would be switching from the NFHS Balls to MLB Balls for that half inning. One was pitching for TB Devil Rays (MLB), one for Orioles, White Sox and Diamondbacks (MiLB). After our discussion I went to my car to relax, mentally prepare and suit up. I did think this was going to be sweet to see these guys throw but didn't give it much more thought than that. The game started (Alumni was Visiting Team) and the kids jumped out to a quick and early lead. We reached the Top of the 4th and coach comes out and hands me 4 MLB Pearls and says we are done scoring for awhile. The score was Alumni 0 - Kids 3 at the time. The new catcher also introduced himself to me and let me know he had caught MiLB and would be catching the 4 innings the Pros where throwing. I set up behind the catcher to get use to watching the first Pro F1 throw as he warms up. I knew I was about to call Balls and Strikes for a Pro Player but other than that, it didn't make me nervous. As the kids are coming up to bat those 4 innings you could see they were nervous and excited about facing a Pro F1. They did get 2 hits and scored 2 unearned runs during those four innings and had a 5 - 0 lead going into the 8th. The alumni tied the game up with 3 runs in the 8th and 2 in the 9th. The kids won the game in the bottom of the 9th with a double, steal of 3rd base, a walk and a double steal with R1 and R3. "GAME". Final score 5-6. After leaving the field and sitting behind my car to remove my gear it hit me. I had never felt so comfortable behind the plate and what my view of the entire game was from there. Everything seemed so clear and tranquil. I had called the game without thinking about it. I don't think I missed a pitch and I know I didn't miss a play on the field, including a pick off at 2B by one of the Pro F1's. I was able to see it clearly as if I my vision was magnified. Wow!!!!! that was fun. I had taken a Sports Psychology class a long time ago. I also had experienced a similar "In The Zone" experience once when I was playing golf. It was bought to my attention, by my playing partners, that I was One Under with 3 to play. I hadn't even thought about it and did finish with 3 pars to end up with a 1 under 71. Still my best round of my life. How did it happen Saturday and when I shot the 71? I don't know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I do wish I could have more of those experiences as it sure is a great feeling. The one thing it did do is, give me a little extra boost of confidence in my abilities and what I have achieved and what I can do. It is one game I will remember for a very long time. Oh BTW....The Pros didn't throw a lot of Fast Balls but the movement on their pitches were SWEET. If not for a nice hit up the middle and defensive throwing errors, they would not have given up any runs in the 4 innings.

Patent leather belts should be reserved for Santa Claus only IM(Humble)O