bandman

I’m coaching a group of 11-12 year-old girls on a fast pitch all-star team that represent the Scott Area Team Sports (SATS) which is like a district for little league (we play PONY in our area).

Now for those of you who have never been around softball, and especially guys who have only played baseball, this doesn’t sound exciting. I’m amazed at the skills these young ladies demonstrate, and their desire to play well is only matched by the joy they bring to me and their other 2 coaches.

We are now in our second tournament. In the first tournament we won 2 and lost 2. In this tournament we have won 2 and lost one, and tonight we defeated one of the teams that beat us in the last tournament by a score of 13-5.

My daughter is one of the players on this team, and she has said how much she enjoys playing with these girls because, in her words, “they are all so nice”. It is a joy to work with young people when they all try so hard, they all get along with each other, and they all show proper respect to the other teams. They learn from losses, and give proper thanks for each victory. They are good sports after wins and losses.

For the other team (the team we defeated) the season came to an end tonight. Each of them was presented with a certificate for making the all-star team from their area. Our girls went out and stood on the first base line and applauded each of the girls on the other team as they received their awards.

I know that most people don’t care about 11-12 year old girls who play softball. But we hear so many bad things about young people today that I felt it necessary to share my experience with this great group of young people. We probably won’t with the Regional Championship, but that doesn’t matter. I just hope that they have enjoyed working with me as much as I have enjoyed coaching them.

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bandman

I had to add a picture of my favorite All-Star! She has improved so much this year. She works really hard at softball, and I know that a lot of that hard work is because she is working to make her father happy! Not only does she make me happy, she makes me very proud to tell people she's my daughter!

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bandman

Well, it all came to an end last night. We lost 5-3 in a great game, ironically to a team we beat last week. These teams are all so even that on any day one can beat another. Most of us are finishing with half wins and half losses. The coaches, players and umpires were all a lot of fun to be around during the all-star experience. Life is good, and we are looking forward to next season. School league softball in Louisiana starts in just 5-months!

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