I wouldn’t say I was great at any sport but I certainly wasn’t bad in some areas. I was wiry (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0191397/) and could run well. My ability to climb trees and buildings may have helped in some way too.
Bowling – My first recollection of going to a bowling alley was when I was four. I probably started out as every kid did rolling the lightest ball down the lane with both hands between my legs. I’m sure the score meant something but I just enjoyed being out with my Dad. We had a special bond that meant more to me in later years. I was born on his birthday, October 14, and we shared the same middle name, Calvert. It does have an association in Maryland (I was born in Havre de Grace and I believe he was raised in Maryland) but I can’t say that’s why either of us wound up with it or not. I eventually joined a few leagues and at the age of twelve, I had reached an average of 192. I would never bowl a 300 where it counted (I did it in practice once), so I never got a ring or trophy (my Dad had a 3 foot tall one for when he did it!). My oldest brother did in league (about 30?) but he did the same with his ring that I did with my class ring. Took it off to wash my hands in a public restroom and walked off and left it on the sink. It were gone when we returned!
Baseball – My first love after bowling, was probably my best sport as a youngster. I don’t remember at what age I got my first glove or joined the local hardball team (Go Tigers!) but when I did it was a very fun time for me, as I’m sure it was for any youngster. I didn’t have parents (or brothers and sister) that cheered me on from the stands. They did come to a game once in a while but it was usually just me. I liked it that I was excelling at something when up until then I felt awkward.
These days you might say nerdy. I wore glasses (first got them when I was 4 or 5), was thin enough for you to count my ribs I didn’t reach 100 pounds until I was 13 and 130 when I was almost 21), watched as much TV as I was allowed (Lawrence Welk, Ed Sullivan, almost anything Western like Bonanza, The Rifleman or Gunsmoke and favorites like The Twilight Zone and The Outer Limits), read books voraciously (read all the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew and Sherlock Holmes several times and as much science fiction as I could get my hands on (Asimov, Clarke, Verne to name a few and as a teenager King), comic books (there was a tomboy up the street named Loretta Sax (not sure if she spelled it with an “e” or not) who could satisfy me whenever I needed a fix for that or anything horror) and I probably spent more than my share of time alone, just wanting to be alone or lost in thought.
But on the subject of baseball (ahem, sorry for the digression) I had good hand-eye coordination (which I feel got sharper in later years) and I think it helped that I would play games like pepper (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepper_(baseball)) to enhance those skills. Fundamentals are always important right? Our team got a few trophies for winning (as did I – pitching, fielding, home runs) and it sure was a great feeling being able to share that with my teammates, friends and family. During those happy times I didn’t feel like such a loser or outcast.
Basketball – I probably only excelled at shooting because I never seemed to get dribbling down. I wasn’t bad if I kept my eyes on the ball but that only works well if you’re playing by yourself. I even amazed myself when I would make some shots, especially a long 3-pointer (or a few times full court) to win a game. It seemed to me that at those few times I would think it just felt right.
Football – Except for touch or flag, I didn’t really get into playing this until high school. I always seemed to have good hands and excelled at punting and once in a while kicked off or did a field goals. Punting though is where I had a large impact. My hang time was excellent and observers probably thought the ball had been thrown as the spiral sure looked pretty. I would play TE at times but I think the coach didn’t put me in more because he needed a punter and believed I might get hurt getting tackled. I sure didn’t look like much.
Ping Pong – I probably played this a few times before but didn’t excel at it until I reached Patton. I was 1st or 2nd for a few years and went back and forth between my good friends and fellow classmates, Charles and Greg. They were both probably better than me but once in a while I would play a good game. I think I could safely say we three were the best in the school.
Pool – I played this a few times at my father’s bowling alley (City Line http://philadelphia.citysearch.com/profile/11494993/philadelphia_pa/center_bowling_lanes.html (if not this, it’s probably close)) where he was the Asst. Mgr., when business was slow. (I got free bowling too as well as some of the best lessons. Did I mention my Dad was real smart about a lot of things?) I got so good at Patton I could make a shot the length of the table with the object ball anywhere on the cushion and the cue ball almost anywhere (even almost straight on) and have that ball ride the rail right into the corner! I was good at bank shots and generally putting a ball from anywhere to anywhere. I had no fear!
Tennis – I don’t remember playing this until my Patton days but I got to be ok. Competitive among friends – yes; trophies on the mantle – probably not. No Wimbledon in my future but I think I showed I had some raw natural talent.
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