Hit a homer with the Irish. As some have heard, I'm now playing with the UCD softball club. We're a rag tag group of Irish and international students that all love to throw oversized balls around a rugby pitch and play in the rain. So far it's been absolutely amazing playing with these kids - they've been welcoming and sociable and absolutely a wonder to play with. It's great that we can just play and have fun. Yes, it's a safe and comfortable sport but there's other benefits to it. What other game can you work out, play hard, get crazy competitive and then finally walk home friends with everyone you're with. What other sport will you play through the sodding rain and cold just to play around with your friends? Baseball... that's the only other sport that has that sort of draw. Some of you know how much I loved baseball in high school and the now I get to play it out with bigger balls, less stress, and more fun.

It's also wonderfully social. Some have described it as an excuse to drink but I've found it quite the opposite. We've gotten together on the off days to watch rugby matches, grabbed coffee at the café, and even had a pint or two at the pub. Unfortunately, all of my class projects are with other international students or Americans. I don't get to meet any Irish people there so softball is amazing to get together and get out and meet people. It's grand for sure. We've got intervarsity games coming up in March and April where we'll travel to other cities to play their teams. So here's to you, Mr. I love Ball and your rocking ability to get me to continue the sport I love.