It All Turned Out Okay In the End

It’s the end of March, 2006. The trip to Disney to play in a showcase has finally arrived. Manteee*, my daughter, and her team from Oakland, New Jersey are about to take on a team from Livingston, New Jersey. Livingston and Oakland are about 20 miles apart. Big deal that we journeyed 1500 miles to take on this team that is in our area. It was part of the tournament.

While watching Livingston practice I said to myself. “Hey – it looks like these girls can play.” They looked sharp, determined and full of confidence.

In the top of the first inning for Livingston, they get two runners on. The next girl scorches a hot grounder right at my daughter. She bobbles the ball and a run scores. My Manteee is not looking so good. Two batters later with the bases loaded for Livingston, another ball is hit to my daughter. This looked like a repeat of the previous ball in the dirt. Manteee goes to her right and boots the ball.

As two runners crossed the plate I shifted my attention from my daughter to the coach. He was livid. He is pacing. The first inning ends with Livingston in front 3-0. This was the low point of the trip for my daughter. She did not play again in this game. The coach yanked her from the field and had her sit.

As I continued to watch the game my thoughts were about Manteee. I found myself looking for my daughter to see how she was. It seemed like she was hiding. When I got a rare glimpse of her, she looked like she had lost her best friend. This was the low point of the trip.

Next game had different results. Back at her position at second base my Manteee seemed to be uneasy. Her worries and concerns vanished. In the first inning another team from New Jersey hit two balls her way. She played them well and threw out both runners.

As the game moved on more balls were hit her way. She had a dozen chances at least. Maybe two or three hard plays had to be made. She handled all the plays and Indian Hills won the game.

After the game assistant coach Phil Lemenza said. “Sammi is my hero. After playing a horrible game she came back strong.” He was very impressed with her.

To say I am proud of her is an understatement. She fights; she claws and never gives up. She is my hero as well. That’s why she is one of my top ten favorite players of all time.

Please pass this on to your friends.

My wife and I are the only ones that call her Manteee* – everyone else calls her Sammi.

The great game of baseball. What could be better? Loving the game of baseball for Aron Wallad has been a job of joy for a long time. For over 45 years he has followed the game by coaching, watching games, reading stories and checking player’s stats. Playing baseball, softball and stickball were his games of choice. Join Aron as he looks at the game from some different points of view. You will find his stories moving. You will be amazed when you see some of the unusual statistics he presents. The quotes will move you or make you laugh.

Go here right now to join his ezine, and have some more fun.
http://www.baseballsprideandjoy.com

Or to check out some Rawlings Baseball Equipment go here
http://baseballsprideandjoy.com/rawlingsbaseballequipment.htm


Article Source: http://www.LinkSnoop.com