practice!!

i'm terrible at softball.
i'm fine in practice, i can bat and catch and throw fine, i have decent speed and agility...but i am garbage when the game starts. i can't react fast enough in the infield, the ball almost always goes past me. and i am suddenly unrealistically terrified of the ball hitting me in the face. since when have i been afraid of a black eye?
i need practice. i need somebody to go with me to the park and throw the ball at me for a while until i stop flinching. if anyone is interested in helping a poor girl out, let me know.
the guys on the team are stoked to have me. i'm "the best girl the team's ever had." i know they meant that in the nicest possible way, but i'd rather just be a productive player than be the "best girl." my first at bat the other team's outfield started walking in, doubting my skills...their coach yelled "back it up guys, don't let her size fool you, this one can hit!" hahaha.
and my team gets a little nervous about me riding my bike through west oakland alone at night. someone always asks if i want a ride, and then someone else says "she'll be fine, it's only west oakland!" and they all nervously laugh as i ride off into the sunset.