Saturday, August 8, 2009

I woke up at 5:30am today. Not because my kids were up, but because I was actually nervous about playing in the Seminole High School Alumni Softball Game this morning. O, how I didn't want to suck. And how I wanted the kids to be good so I could actually enjoy it.

It was tons of fun! Britton was there with the kids, so knowing they were happy allowed me to fully relax and enjoy the game.

I could tell Britton wasn't really cool with wearing the carrier. But I assured him Ella would sleep if he'd wear it.

She did.

For 3 hours. Just like that.

Miles wanted to go on the field with me. He'd say "momma, sobtbal dame" everytime I'd come in to the "clubhouse" (that's what he called the dugout). When we'd scream and cheer like teenagers, he'd say "hear screeeem, momma" and cover his ears. There were a few tears as he acclimated to my coming and going....

but he eventually had a good time playing with the equipment.

We played the SHS fast pitch team, and this year my batting goal was:

DO NOT STRIKE OUT 2 TIMES LIKE YOU DID LAST YEAR

Today, I proudly put the ball in play both at-bats...

And I don't need any comments about how far in play the ball actually was, or how hard it went.

You'll notice that my mouth was wide open as I ran.

This is because I was hysterically laughing at how SLOW and awkwardly my body was moving. And also 'cause I was screaming in celebration of my contact with the ball.

Next year, I'm going for the full fledged, lofty goal of: GET ON BASE.

It was so funny to see each of us old gals KNOW exactly what we were supposed to do with any given defensive situation, but not always actually be able to make our much older bodies DO it in many instances.

I made this snag with no problem though and we got the out.

This picture doesn't look as impressive as I felt. It was an AWESOME snag...

Britton said "you looked like you knew what you were doing....sorta like the old you". For the record, he would know...

I played a mean 1st base back in the day...

and Pitcher...

and Catcher....

and 3rd Base...

even a bit of outfield!

After the game was over (we lost - one bad inning, dangit), Coach introduced each of us to the high school team. He told of our personal and team accomplishments and shared some of his favorite individual memories with each of us.

It was really special and, of course, sent me even further down "memory lane". And my sentimental self came straight home and pulled out the scrapbooks.

So you now have permission to bail on this blog if you don't want to take the rest of this trip with me. {Mom, I know you're gonna keep reading....get a tissue.}

On the way to the field, Britton asked "why do you think this works? why do you guys continue to get together year after year for this game?".

It was a great question. To my knowledge, none of the other sports have reunions or alumni games.

But softball brought us together for countless hours each week. We lived and breathed the game. During the season, we were probably with each other more than our families. It was a sisterhood.

We laughed and had fun. We got sore and tired. We got sick of each other. We literally experienced life and death together. Like a family. And the years, for me at least, have only made all of the memories fonder in my heart.

And hundreds - no thousands - of memories I could share...

Lucky #7 was my number...

"Forrest & Bubba - Bestest Good Friends"

Leslie coaches the high school team now.

And these are our boys.

"Kolby-Doo, Mojo & T.P - class of '98"

I'm pretty sure Taryn and I played on the same team since we were 10 or 11...


Kolby & me at the State Fast Pitch Tournament in 1996

She was a bridesmaid in my wedding and is still on speed-dial.

One of my FAVORITE memories didn't even happen during a game...

In 1995, our team was headed to the State Slow Pitch Tournament. As our bus left town, we passed the elementary school where our coach taught 6th grade. As we topped the hill by the school, all the kids and staff as well as our parents were lining the street. It was a complete surprise! They had signs. They rang cow bells. They cheered us on...

You'll have to 'scuse me. I just teared up thinking about it.

We brought home the trophy that year
(in the ugliest uniforms ever, I might add)...

...on my 15th birthday. I hit in the winning run.
And my mom hid a birthday cake in the back of the car all day, hoping for a celebration.
Best. Birthday. Ever!!

We actually won State three times in a row.

{Oh yeah, that's me diving. I was safe...}

I could tell you about silly things like singing Lion King songs in the dugout or stopping at Bethel Road on the way to the State Tournament to spit on it (in an effort to jinx our rivals). I could tell you of triumphant wins, unexpected success and the heartbreak of defeat. I could even tell you instances where God's presence was as real to me on the field as it has ever been in my life. Stories of rainbows around the sun and full moons in the sky when I was winning State Tournaments after my dad died. I can tell you of life-long relationships with people - players, parents & coaches - that will always be some of the nearest and dearest to my heart.

So, that's why I go back every year. It's alot of fun. But it also does me good to be around these people who've played such a significant and memorable role in my life.