Lauren’s First Softball Season

We have a new softball player in the family and we’re proud of her. Lauren just finished her first season in the Scottsdale Miss Softball league playing for The Purple Panthers. Most of the other girls on her team had played ball the prior year, but you wouldn’t have known that Lauren was a newbie. She did an outstanding job. In fact, she consistently out-played most of the girls on her team. Lauren has a strong and accurate throw, is a power hitter, and is a very speedy runner. Should she continue to play softball next season, she’ll be a huge asset to her team.

Lauren was a little scared at first but she overcame her jitters and grew in confidence with each passing game. This league, the Mini-2s, is a coach-pitch format where the coach throws up to 9 pitches to each batter (no walks, strikeouts, or use of a tee). They use a #10 softie ball (next season they’ll graduate to a regular #11 ball) and the girls could only run one base unless they hit the ball into the outfield, in which case they could take two bases.

It was so much fun being a spectator. The girls are just so precious, tender, and unpolished at this age. Kory was the first base coach and coaxed the girls into running at the proper time. I know he taught them well. Lauren was somewhat intimidated because of her lack of knowledge of the roles of each position, where the balls were to be thrown, and what kinds of plays were to be made, but from the season’s beginning to the end, she proved quite knowledgeable for a first-timer.

Lauren particularly liked playing first and third base, as well as catcher. She says it’s a little boring in the outfield, and rightly so at this age group since not many balls are hit out there. Lauren did get an opportunity to play ever position and have a great deal of fun in the process.

The team party was today and the girls were presented with awards. Lauren is so excited to have earned her first trophy. We are all so proud of you Lauren!

2010 Mustangs

DSC03565This evening brought to a close another great softball season with Katie’s team finishing 10 and 2 in the regular season.

I can’t say enough about how much I appreciate coach Tom and his dedication to these girls. I have seen so much improvement in Katie’s abilities this year and she also managed to have quite a bit of fun as well.

Thanks to all of the coaches for helping Katie throughout the season. Thanks to all you girls for the signed softball, I will treasure it.

A Happy New Year…

Frosty the SnowmanOn the heels of a wonderful Christmas season, we decided to spend the remainder of our holiday in the northern Arizona mountains playing in the snow.

Our friends Rob and Hester offered to let us stay at their cabin, so we headed off to Flagstaff. Upon our arrival, we found a plethora of fresh snow to play in. The girls quickly discovered a path leading to the national forest and not long after, built a little snowman.

Finding a piece of cardboard, we made a make-shift sled and the girls took turns sledding down a small hill. I tried and it didn’t seem to work as well for me…

That evening, New Years Eve, we spent time in the cabin watching the Iron Chef competition on the Food Network, playing board games, and enjoying our Dura Flame fire. I don’t think any of us made it past 10:00.

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We awoke to 2010 with a plan to spend the day skiing at nearby Snow Bowl. The idea was to leave the cabin by 7:30, get our rental gear, and be the first on the mountain at 8:30. It didn’t quite work out that way as it seemed everyone else had the same plan.

After an hour in line to get our gear, we finally made it to the Heart Prairie lifts. This being Katie and Lauren’s first time skiing, I was sure that after a couple of assisted trips down the bunny hill, they would be at least proficient enough snow plowers to make it through the day… I was wrong. Everything went fine until we got to the bottom on the path and were faced with the mountain down. Lauren was first to fall and as I was attending to her, Katie seemed to loose her brakes and plowed right in to her – it wasn’t good.

In any case, Kerry and I spent the next hour coaxing them down. By this time, everyone was hungry for lunch so we decided to head in to the lodge. We never made it back out as the girls were more interested in getting back to Rob’s cabin and their snowman.

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The next morning, we spent some time cleaning up and getting ready to head to Williams, AZ, the home of the Polar Express. Kerry and I had kept this portion of our trip a secret as we wanted to surprise them. In the afternoon, we checked in to the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. I think the girls caught on to our plan as they saw all the kids in the lobby wearing their pajamas. That evening, we had dinner at the hotel then prepared to catch the train. The anticipation, especially in Lauren, made the whole trip worth it. She was so excited to actually be able to ride on the train, get a golden ticket, and of course, see Santa Clause. It was a great trip and the hot chocolate was the best! We will surely do this trip again.

2009 Mustang’s

_KRN7870-792092As this year’s regular season draws to an end, I have to say that I’ve never seen a better group of girls or a better group of coaches.  I have seen tremendous improvement in Katie’s skills and as evidenced by the smiles on her face, she has had a great time learning.  This has been a great season on hard-fought wins and a few tough losses but even losing by 10, I hear the sound of singing from the dugout…  Many thanks to all of the coaches for making the season so special.

The Mustangs…

kate-798615Katey has just begun her new softball season with a new team and coach. They are 2 and 1 so far and most notably, all having a great time! Her coaches are terrific and I can see that she’s not only progressing in skill, but really enjoying it.

 

Blue Angels Team Party

sball1-710275Today we celebrated the close of a great softball season. We made it to game 3 in a double elimination playoff and had a great time every step of the way!
I could not be more proud of each of these angels as they all showed great sportsmanship even during tough games. I won’t soon forget their smiles, or the ringing of Aaliyah’s voice…

We celebrated with a pool/pizza party and they all found it very funny pushing me in the pool at every opportunity (I owe you one Elle!) Thanks to all of you parents for your assistance this season!

The 2008 Blue Angels

Sball-Team-2008-748809As this year’s softball season nears and end, I can report that aside from our 2-8-1 record, we have had a great time! Our last regular season game is next week and we are already planning our team swim party.

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It has been a joy to get to know each of these girls and watch their improvement over the season. Trish and Jill, I can’t thank you enough for your meticulous scorekeeping. I can honestly say that I learned something from each one of these girls.  As for Katey, I am SO proud of my little 3rd base girl.  I will never forget the look on her face as she caught a game winning pop-fly or the night she made her first double play.
Thanks for a great season and great memories!