Published 2003-08-27T00:00:00Z”/>

<strong>Back in the game</strong>

There comes a time in every kid’s life when he or she realizes that becoming a professional athlete or a princess simply isn’t in the cards. I never wanted to become a princess, and I gave up my dreams of playing baseball professionally during middle school.

As an 11-year-old in Little League, I had only six or seven hits the entire season. (Of course I lied to friends and said I had at least a dozen.)

I played a variety of organized sports through high school, but didn’t stand out in any. I played everything from soccer to bowling to rugby, without breaking a bone. I knew turning pro wasn’t an option, but it didn’t matter.

I loved to compete.

Then, as people tend to do, I got too old. I was too old to play in a youth league, and I wasn’t good enough to play college sports. I was forced to join the ranks of the unwanted ex-high school athletes. I had no place to go. My cleats sat in the closet caked with mud and memories.

It all changed when I moved to Chico.

P.E. classes and intramurals took the place of youth leagues and high school sports. I was no longer too old or not good enough.

Thanks to Chico State’s P.E. and recreational sports departments, all unwanted or retired ex-high school athletes have a home.

I’ve relived bowling and flag football memories through intramurals.

I miss whiffle-ball games in my neighbor’s backyard, so this semester I’m going to play quickball.

Fall intramurals offer six sports at varying levels of competition. If you are interested, sign up now because league play begins Sept. 22.

Intramural games are once or twice a week, usually in the evenings, so those of you with full schedules can still play.

With more than 100 P.E. classes offered this fall, there’s a time and a sport for everyone.

Last fall, P.E. softball brought back baseball memories, some good (like catching a fly ball), and some bad (like watching a fly ball sail over my head).

It didn’t matter, I was happy just to on a field again and to go to class with grass stains the way I did years ago.

Along with competition and exercise, recreational sports are a good way to meet people and relieve stress between classes. Which class would you rather go to, history or ballroom dance? OK, history or rock climbing?

When I’m finished at Chico State in December, I’ll have to search for a new sports outlet. But I’ll find one, because I love to compete and I’ll never be too old.<em>Adrian can be reached at <a href= “mailto:[email protected]”>[email protected]</a></em>