Horned Frogs 2010 Softball

Lyssa told us she wanted to play softball again this year, of course we loved watching, so we signed her up. The whole time thinking, it has to be better than last year. Last year our coach quit and there was only 1 team that we could beat. So, since our coach quit there was no end of season anything, so I went myself and bought Lyssa a trophy. Luckily, this didn't discourage her this year. We got the call of when her first practice was and where to be. I was working at our consignment sale that we have twice a year, so her Dad took her to practice. By time I got there, she was throwing ok and he was on the field helping.

As we went to each practice, I began to like our coach more and more. The way he talked to these girls was so motivating. Even when they missed a ball or missed a swing, the tone of his voice and the smile he had when he said something to the girls was great. You could just tell, he had ball and being a parent in his blood. Then we did find out that he played baseball, but with 2 daughters he coached softball.

Of course Lyssa wasn't that great when the season started, she had never really caught or thrown a softball, the coach before told the girls to roll it to eachother. Her batting wasn't the best either, she had a pretty good swing, but she needed to learn to judge the speed of the ball. After lots of great practices, she was doing better and now it was time for the gamboree. We had 2 games to play back to back. Guess what we won both of them! However 1 team didn't show up so we didn't get to see how they played, so we were a little worried going into game 1.

Game 1 came and went along with alot of other games, win after win going in the record book and Lyssa getting better and better. Working with her dad in the backyard on an almost daily basis, even if we had a game that day she still wanted him to go to the backyard and practice with her. I watched her hit after hit, lighting up each and every time. Now to find her place on the field.

Coach Nathan was moving the girls around getting them use to different positions. Lyssa was doing well with stopping the ball and getting it to the pitcher from the outfield as long as she didn't side step the ball like she was scared of it. She had been tried at short stop a few times and Coach acted like that was where he wanted her, but I think she wasn't sure of her abilities. Coach went out of town and left Benji and Chris to coach the team. Lyssa was put at SS, and we had a practice on Saturday before Monday's game. Jennifer's mom batted so the girls could practice fielding and no matter how hard she tried she could only hit it to SS. Needless to say Lyssa got alot of practice at SS those 2 hours and we learned her arm can throw from SS to 1st. This became her position, as they say in the older division, she earned her position.

Her dad has been so happy with all the girls and how well they listen and how well eachone has improved. Lyssa has found a love of softball, she is even talking about playing fall ball. She is just not wanting it to interfere with Cheerleading. I am going to talk to the rec center and find out how much of a conflict there will be between the 2. If not much, then we will let her play, of course it will be travel softball, but with the passion she found within herself this season, I can't see holding her back. If it interferes then she said she wants to cheer.

Today was a wonderful end to a wonderful season. We had an end of season party with pizza and cake and cupcakes. Then they presented the girls with thier trophies. The coaches were presented with a softball that was signed by eachone of the girls.







Then a surprise, to all of us, this is the 1st team out of all the teams that Coach Nathan has coached that went undefeated all season. So, out of his own pocket he bought each of the girls a dog tag, it has a softball on the front with Frogs and the girls number, then on the back their name, Undefeated, and thier record of 13-0-2




Then, it was time for the parents to play against this undefeated girls team. I have to admit it was very funny and entertaining to watch. I know all involved had a wonderful time, you could tell by the looks on everyone's faces. This season was the best yet and hopefully she will stick with it and have many more season like this. I have to say today was a proud day for me, to see the 2 people I love having a wonderful time and everyone around them doing the same. A Perfect end to a Perfect season!