MY GIRL

Softball tournament.

Seven games in six days.
Three games on the final day.
After working their way out of the losers' bracket, they managed to place second out of 21 teams.


The trophy on the right is because they were the division champs. The middle sized trophy is for being runners up in the tournament. The smaller trophies and the medals are for enduring blowing rain, scorching heat, obscene language from opposing teams, excessive challenges from opposing coaches, overly competitive parents and, most importantly, for being told by the umpires that our team had exhibited the best sportsmanship of all 21 teams throughout the entire tournament.

Too bad there is no trophy for that.

Yeah, they got second place but WOW! These are some sweet girls and they are the best sports of the entire Country Girls Softball League.

The umpires said so. And the umps always get the final call.

Now this girl - my girl:

She pitched the whole tournament - minus half an inning. We estimate she pitched approximately 4o innings, give or take a strike or two. She managed to hit two triples in one game and a two run homer in the game against an arch enemy - I don't want to name any names - Meridian - but I am just shallow enough to say some victories are sweeter than others.

And then, 48 hours, two pizzas, a pool party, and a sleep over later...

Bippitiy Boppity Boo...

The fairy godmother had appeared; the little mice had worked their magic; the sweat and dust of the ball diamond were forgotten and the princess was ready to re-emerge.




My girl.