One of the primary challenges involved in coaching a 7-year-old pitchball team is operating the pitch machine.  Less of a machine and more of an arm with a spring, this thing is a real pain in the butt.

It is constantly moving around.  Pitching inconsistently up, down, in, out, and all around.  You need to constantly adjust it.

I am fond of telling my players that the pitching machine does not have a heart.  Well, today it appeared to also lack a brain or any sentient qualities.  It started hitting players.  First one, then another, then as I loaded a ball into the machine’s arm, I paused.  I did not want another player to get plunked.

I walked in front of the machine and attempted to adjust it, when the beast sprung to life!  The arm flung forward and threw the ball full speed about 4 inches into the side of my belly.

That marks the first and only time that I was ever grateful to have put on a few pounds over the winter.  A little padding sure helped soften the blow.  Hit by a pitch, but at least it was in a shock absorbent area.