A Baseball Weekend to Remember

Champions!

Tate, Michael, Cooper, Leo, Hugh, Travis, Ryan, Landon, Jackson

Coach Marshall, Coach Jody, Coach Chris

Daddy and Jackson

In 10 years, when I look back on this blog, I hope that the memories and emotions that were a part of this past weekend, come flooding back. It was a weekend...a day...a moment that I don't want to ever forget. And while I realize that baseball is such a small part of life, Jody says that last Saturday was a life changing moment in Jackson's life. A moment that he will remember forever. A moment in which he did something good...and everybody around him started throwing him in the air cheering. A moment that is surely etched in his mind. A confidence building memory...a character building memory...simply a memory from his childhood that will always bring a smile.

Remember when....

Your 5 and 6 year old baseball team had won 1st place in the league and therefore got to play in the end of the year tournament. The other 3 teams included Copeland's Pottsboro team, Whitewright and Bells.

Remember how...

We beat Whitewright on Thursday night of the tournament. Off to a good start. Mom left Lilly Claire with a babysitter Thurs afternoon and I took SG to her dance dress rehearsal. The babysitter then brought Lilly Claire to the rehearsal and stayed with SG while Mom ran to watch the game. A crazy life for sure, but a great one.

Then...

Your team lost to Bells on Friday night. Your lucky charm...Mommy...wasn't there. Savannah Grace's recital was tonite and it is the only game mom has missed all year. It's also the only game you've lost. You and Dad showed up for the finale of the recital.

Remember...

Playing Saturday morning at 10am, and beating Whitewright 16-1. Now your team has to play at 11.

One loss and the tournament goes to Bells.

Your team squeaked out a win...something like 12-11 against Bells. Now you have to play Bells again for the championship. You have to play them now.

Your team starts their 3rd game in 3.5 hours. It is 90 degrees, but the team is still in high spirits. I'm not sure if you know the championship is on the line. Knowing you, you probably do.

The game starts. The score goes back and forth, but then they get ahead by 7 points with only 15 minutes to play. Our scorekeeper has informed all the moms and dads that we can't win. The Bells coach asks Dad if we want to just call the game since we can't win. Dad says, "no way...there is 15 minutes left." Another inning starts and ends....and we are behind by 2...but wait...there is still 30 seconds on the clock....so another inning starts. Oh my goodness...we still have a chance to win. Our team bats and scores 4...we are up by 2. This is the Bells team last at bat....

They hit the ball into the infield. Cooper, our 1st baseman, tags him out.

They hit the ball and the runner makes it to first.

One out...a runner on first....

Never forget this, Jackson......

They hit the ball....it's a high pop-up....Jackson catches the ball in the air and runs and tags 1st base....a double play....game over...WE WON!

Coach Marshall runs to you and starts swinging you around in the air, the mommies start crying, the crowd is going wild. My boy did that. Our team did that. The perseverance never ended and it paid off. I've never been more proud.

We get in the car to go home, after we've had a picnic lunch with the team after the game. You ask me...."Mom, did you see me catch that ball?"

"Sure did, Bub. You did real good."