Lexi had a softball tournament in Tulsa- their catcher had just tron her MCL, and another girl on her team didn't come because she was sick. Lexi's coach has been awesome with understanding why we choose not to play sports on Sunday's, but when the team is down so many players we've told him Lexi will stay and play.
This particular tournament was a little trickier with the other teammate being sick, it took the team to 8 players which means they had to start with an automatic out unless they could come up with another softball player.
Ashlee stopped playing softball years ago for a few different reasons, one of them being the ball always hit her- seriously in the weirdest plays she'd get nailed by a ball in the back, head, arm, leg.. She switched to karate and then to tumbling.
We asked Ashlee if she'd play this one game so the team didn't have to start with an out- it took a little convincing, but she agreed.
I loved watching Lexi take the "Big Sister" roll very serious and was very encouraging to Ashlee, and be a great motivator to Ash so she knew the whole team appreciated what she was doing.
Even though I have never really enjoyed playing sports- I LOVE watcing my girls play! Lexi has very specific things she does when she gets up to bat right before getting in her hitting position. She has to move all the dirt around because all her teammates are so much taller their footprints are too wide for her so she has to fill them in. She also does a few swings while holding her hand up signaling to the pitcher she's not ready.
Lexi crossing home plate after scoring
The team was awesome with Ash too, she's not very tall, and definitely not used to playing against girls this size. She got up to bat and was told not to worry about hitting anything- we all anticipated her striking out. She surprised us when she hit a couple foul tips, and then got a walk.
She got to third base and then while starting to run to home the girl batting hit a foul ball that nailed Ashlee in the thigh! They called her out, which was frustrating because she wasn't out- she was in foul territory so she should have been safe. Later the 2nd ump told us she really was safe, but because our coach forgot to ask for a 2nd opinion he couldn't say anything.
The next time she was up to bat she had a few foul tips and then on the third strike amazed us when she took off running because she remembered the dropped third strike rule. If the catcher drops the pitch on the third strike the runner can try and make it to first base. While Ash was running the catcher grabbed the ball. The catcher was really off balance which caused her throw to be off. I could see what was about to happen, and Ashlee knew what was coming too- you could see her scrunch her head in a little. The ball hit her right in the head! But because of that ball to the head we got a run and won the game!
The Sunday games they had another girl come up to play, so Ash was able to watch instead of playing.:)
Lexi has gotten really good at bunting this year!
Lexi's team played really well, but after two losses came in third place for the tournament. It was such a fun weekend, aside from needing to play on a Sunday. With Ashlee and Lexi playing soccer and softball, their practices and games end up over lapping and Darrell and I split up taking them. I haven't gotten to know many of the girls or parents of Lexi's team and was able to get to know them over the weekend. I think a lot of the parents think we are crazy for not playing Sunday's but for the most part they are understanding. Lexi's coach always tells us as we leave on a Saturday night, "You know, you guys are the ones making the right decision- you are right to choose to go to church and not play." I'm so thankful we found a coach that understands!!
Here is team Nitro with their trophy!
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