Why Baseballs and Blurts Were Hard for My ADHD Brain To Catch

As a kid I played baseball. Not well. I was intimidated by fast pitches at the plate and pop fly balls hit into the field.

Coach typically stuck me out in right field. With a lefty hitter at the plate I knew I was in trouble. (With a righty hitter at the plate I knew I was in trouble!)

With regularity the balls would drop anywhere but inside my mitt. I tried my best to catch them, I truly did!

Kinda like my blurts.

With regularity I'd drop them anytime. I tried my best to catch them, I truly did!

I wasn't too good at predicting where or when either would drop. My ADHD brain drove me to over-think.

Oops! Another one got away.

Upon reflection, here are two observations of my past:

Yesterday, a team sport like baseball was not an ideal fit for me. And so, my total confidence took a hit.

Yesterday, trying to catch a blurt was more or less the same as trying to catch a fly ball. They were both easy to drop, hard to catch and season after season I did not seem to improve much.

A minor difference is that the baseballs come into right field and my blurts come out of left field. (Pun intended.)

A major difference is that dropping a fly ball might result in losing a game while dropping a blurt might result in losing a friend. (Nothing punny about that.)

Dropping the ball in sports and relationships can have painful consequences. ADHD is my explanation, not my excuse.

As Freddy Mercury sings, regrets, I’ve had a few. Mine were on and off the field.

That was then, this is now. Understanding my brand of ADHD has enabled me to try new things that have helped me succeed in sports and relationships.

I came to realize that our pasts do not define our future. We can reflect. We can learn. We can change.

According to Arthur C. Brooks in his article How to Make the Baggage of Your Past Easier to Carry, “You can’t alter history. You can, however, change your perception of it.”

I don't give ADHD the power to limit me. I don't need to be good at everything, just the stuff that matters most to me and the people in my life.

Flipping our perspective of a past failure is enormously empowering.

After my ADHD revelation, I have never stopped asking myself what new choices can I make today that will help me win more games and strengthen my relationships?

For me, an attitude of optimism and a thirst for living with ease has been a real game-changer.

Upon reflection, here are two observations of my present:

Today, I excel in individual sports. I am not intimidated by half-marathons, marathons and triathlons!

Today, I am getting better at catching blurts than I ever was at catching fly balls. Why? Practice, practice, practice!

I am intent on mastering my ADHD.

As for baseball, being a fan is fine!

Podcast follow up! For me, trying to catch a blurt is the same as trying to catch a fly ball. With practice I have been catching more blurts before they drop! I am in position to see them coming. Here's how!

Listen here to 'I tried this it worked' podcast # Blurting