Play Ball!

And today... (drumroll)... was Mika's first softball game! We were all terribly excited. Doesn't she look all grown up? *sniff* I couldn't believe my eyes! Just look at my baby! *sniff*

Mika got a little grouchy, though. She had a hard time concentrating on the game (she's easily distracted) and everybody's comments (apparently, especially MINE), were irritating her. Things like, "pay attention!" and "throw to first!" Here is a picture of my little angry ballplayer, looking daggers at me (yes, ME, not her daddy).

When I asked her later how she enjoyed the game, she said it was sooooo B-O-R-I-N-G. This really surprised me, but at least she didn't say she wanted to quit. I showed her the pictures I had developed today and kept telling her how good she looked - and she smiled happily. All I want is for her to finish the season and then make up her mind about continuing or not (oh, who are we kidding - you know I want her to try playing soccer at least once!).

Here's Mika throwing the ball to another base... (the girls changed positions every inning). So the rules were 4 runs max per team per inning or 3 outs (5 innings maximum). Our girls had one inning where they actually made three outs - I was so proud of them! I think the coaches have done a really good job explaining the basic concepts to them.

Here's Mika on deck... she got to bat at least 3 times, which was really good practice, of course. I was appointed with the task of trying to keep the girls in the proper order for the lineup and getting them on deck to bat. This was NOT an easy task. First of all, I only knew about 4 of the girls by sight. The other seven looked the same to me ((I'm serious! They're all wearing the same clothes!) - and it certainly didn't help that everybody's name (last name only!) was on the back of the uniform! "Who are you?" I would ask and most wouldn't respond or would just stare at me - I had to peer at the name on their back, look it up on my list, and finally, I'd figure out who they were! Luckily, a mom or two helped me out here and there.

I love this picture! On her last at bat, she kept foul-tipping the ball. Finally, she smacked the ball - just look at her happy expression and that of the coach!

For Mika, the best part, though, may have been getting her "snack" at the end: a juice box, a bag of Doritos, and a granola bar. SCORE!