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Thank god it's not just you. The airballs, the cut lists, the gutter balls, the tryout rejection letters. Post the part you'd never put on Instagram.

@rec_league_ronnieRec League • 4th Quarter
Basketball player sprawled on a gym floor next to a loose ball

Called for the ball. Got the ball. Fell down. The shot did not touch the rim, the net, or the general idea of the basket.

@almost_d2Rejection Letter #4 • Hockey
Forwarded message

"Dear athlete, thank you for attending our open tryout camp. While your effort and attitude stood out, we have decided to move forward with skaters whose skill set more closely fits our roster needs for the coming season…"

Fourth program to pass on me this month. Third one with the exact same template. My skating is apparently 'a project.'

@sunday_league_subSunday • 82nd Minute
Muddy soccer player sitting alone on a bench in the rain

Subbed on for eight minutes. Slid into one tackle, missed it entirely, took a mud shower, got subbed off. Full match experience.

@free_throw_fraudSeason Stat Line
1-FOR-19
Free Throws • Season

Coach told me to shoot with confidence. I shot with confidence. Here is what confidence looks like on a spreadsheet.

@league_night_larryLeague Night • Frame 7
Bowling ball rolling down a lane with pins barely touched

Bought the ball. Bought the shoes. Bought the wrist brace. Bought the glove. Gutter. Both throws. Every frame.

@water_hazard_wesSaturday • Hole 3
Golf ball splashing into a pond beside a club on the grass

Announced to the group that I'd 'finally fixed the slice.' Third ball in the pond. I am now just watering the course.

@dead_last_dana10K • Finish Line
Exhausted runner sitting on a curb near a finish line being taken down

Trained 14 weeks. Finished behind a man in jeans and a guy pushing a stroller. They were dismantling the finish line as I crossed it.

@beer_league_brettBeer League • 1st Period
Hockey player face-down on the ice with the puck sliding away

Breakaway. Nobody between me and the goalie. Caught an edge at the blue line and slid past the net like a dropped duffel bag. Puck kept going without me.

@strikeout_sammyTravel Ball • Bottom of the 6th
Youth baseball batter swinging and missing badly

Bases loaded, two outs, whole dugout chanting my name. Swung at a pitch that was closer to the parking lot than the plate. Chanting stopped.

@double_fault_domClub Ladder • Match Report
23 DOUBLE FAULTS
One Match • Straight Sets Loss

My coach said my serve is 'inconsistent.' I ran the numbers. It is extremely consistent. Just not in the direction of the service box.

@varsity_maybe_next_yearCut List • Volleyball
Forwarded message

"Thank you to everyone who tried out this season. Due to the number of returning players, we were unable to keep every athlete on the varsity roster. Athletes not listed are encouraged to consider JV or to try out again next year…"

They posted the roster on the gym door. I read it four times looking for my name. Then read the second page. There was no second page.

@racket_rage_ritaTuesday • Court 4
Cracked tennis racket lying on a public court beside two balls

Told myself I'd stop throwing my racket this season. The racket is now two rackets. Season lasted nine days.

@lane_six_lonelyMasters Meet • 200 Free
Exhausted swimmer sitting on the pool deck beside empty lanes

Got disqualified for a bad turn in a race where I finished last anyway. They wiped my time off the board like it never happened. Honestly fair.

— end of the dumpster fire —