Positive experiences...OFC worthy?

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Here's an idea...everyone tell something positive that they experienced this past season (or this fall) with their team or organization.

We had a great year..had a few girls who may not have been picked by other teams who improved greatly and have a new confidence in themselves and their ability. We won a championship with these girls, as well as 2 seconds and 2 third place finishes and did well at Nationals!! We have a Special Olympic athlete who is our team manager who has had a great impact on our girls (learning to think about others instead of only themselves and their stats). Our girls and parents are very happy...we returned 9 from a line-up of 11, one stayed down to finally play in her age group. My assistant coach is my best friend and I really enjoyed ALL of my parents this year...and our 2 new families are a great addition to our 2008 team.

Our team manager was even able to get into a game this year...great for her and the team we were playing...Thanks Warcats!


And you...?

 

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We met some really great families this summer. DD may never play with some of the girls again, but her & I will never forget them & their families. It wasn't a record breaking season, but the friendships she formed had such a positive impact on her as whole, not just the softball player.

 

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We had some last minute additions to our team that turned out great. They were a great bunch of ladies with great families. Great leadership for the other ladies to follow. Sorry to see them move up to the next age group. We had one lady that was having troubles hitting. Worked with her all year and by the end of the year she was getting hits. Parents thanked us for all of the hard work. That made the whole summer wothwhile!!

 

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apparently not to many positive experiences.........~sigh~ >




LOL!

 

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Plenty of 'em---just tryin' not to hog the whole site all the time.

Thought this would be a good one for some newbies to hop in on.

 

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Our granddaughter visited with us for the summer who is from Las Vagas and was able to go with us to 4 tournaments. She enjoyed the swimming pool at the hotels the most. Actually thought the games were boring. ha ha ha ha ;D

 

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The FRIENDSHIPS! We made some great friends and built relationships with some wonderful people.
Travel ball has a way of making teams.....families.

 

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I forgot one or two. ?One was watching the DD with 2 outs and a full count hit a grand slam over a 210 fence. ?Head coach told her to swing with recless abandon. It made something click in her. Thanks Rod! She also hit one out even though it was a solo shot at a 200', 8' high fence. ?She was only 15. ?All of the RVP sessions and wearing my arm out pitching to her paid off. ?

 

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I think I need to add the FOOD! Oh yeah, we eat like its a Sunday Church Supper at each and every tournament! I'm not kidding. Between games, we line up the easy-ups, tables and fold-up chair & blankets, and we lay out a spread like you have never seen! I'm not talking just burgers & dogs, we have beef & noodles, fried chicken, corn on the cob...REALLY, CORN ON THE COB! You name it, we ate it! These women are amazing cooks and as the season goes on, the meals get bigger and better! My dd lost 5 pounds during the travel season......but unfortunately, I found em'!

 

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I get to spend more one on one time with my daughters, apparently I need to enjoy this before they turn 14. From OFC I learned they won't want to spend all this time with me later because of other interest. LOL

 

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Gotta agree with eatsleep on the food! It was always awesome! Loved seeing my dd have a good time with other great girls. Watching her catch the inning ending pop fly in center field in the championship game of a tournament was pretty cool!
Also, being up by one with bases loaded, and watching our tired pitcher strike out a BIG hitter to win and make it to the championship game!

 

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Come on everyone! Chip in! If you don't... I may have to bore you with another BTBICP episode.

 

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This entire summer season was one for the books. For the first time I can remember there was not a single 'problem parent' to deal with & eatsleep, I'm right with you...our team parents had a cookout every weekend, no matter how far away we were, complete with tents, grills, & baked goods. The icing on top was that we finished the year 58-11!

 

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I've seen lots of stuff on the softball field, but I think the most positive experience I have had is seeing my DD grow into a confident young lady. She has learned so much from softball that will stay with her for life. She has learned how to be a team player, work through disappointment, speak up if she feels the need, talk to people she has never met and be responsible. Among other things. Believe me she is not perfect(she is 14), but I think this sport can teach young ladies so many things far beyond catching a fly ball or hitting a homerun. Although those are great too. Here's to another season of great life lessons.

 

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I think one of the best moments I seen this year was when one of our not so better hitters, hit a game winning double.
Two outs, bases loaded. We were down 4 to 2. And you know that feeling you get in your stomach as a coach when this happens. Well the first pitched was pitched and she hit it straight up the middle well over the centerfielders head to hit 3 in for the win. I remember jumping up and down and the whole team running out onto the field. But what made it even better was that why we are all celebrating, she is still standing on second base. That was a great moment for her and the whole team.

 

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Many years ago I was coaching middle school rec league basketball team. During the last game of the season, with 1 second on the clock, the other team was assesed with a T and the player they fouled was hurt so I had to choose a player off of the bench to take two foul shots with us 1 point behind.

There was a kid on the bench that really really struggled in basketball but I saw something in his eyes that said... put me in coach. I call his number. He stood up and walked over to me and said.... "are you crazy coach?" I had to laugh and so did he. Guess what... he nailed both free throws and won the game. Those were the only two points he scored that season and when I see him... he still asks "why did you pick me". I told him... "coaching is sometimes intuition and sometimes it is blind luck - I guess we will never know for sure which is was - BUT - we won the game!" He is now 23 years old and he is now my neighbor. Small world.

(He still says that the look he gave me was - "I have to go to the bathroom", not "put me in.&quot

 

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Johnnies---love how the little riff at the end keeps the whole post from bein' too schmaltzy (nice touch).

 

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I`ll chime in ;D

As for this past season seeing my dd take the next step in becoming a more solid player in her 2nd season at 10u ball. Not to sound like your typical daddy,but the difference between the `06 season and `07 season was off the charts for us.
Also was her 1st season as a pitcher so that was a wild trip for us.
Other things...........
1. Watching the dd play against top players and organizations from all Ohio and surrounding states (and Canada). Wont get that expierence playing local rec ball.
2. Learning how to use the text messanger on the cell phones when the wife and I take turns between our dd game and our boys game (at the same time).
3. Meeting new parents and watching new friendships and partnerships form before your eyes. Watching the girls grow from the fall season til the end of summer play.
4. 26 wins, 1 championship, and 2 runnerups for our DD while with the Lady Irish 10u team. Yeah it wont be as impressive as many others,but the team my DD played for her first year in `06,they only won four games all season long,and usually got drilled. This was a huge jump for her!
5. Being that we played for a team over 70 minutes away from our home this past summer, we always stayed at a hotel,or went camping, every weekend. That is a blast to spend family time like that.
6. Ive met a several OFC posters on here this past summer at the tournaments and it was nice to meet and greet them face to face. Cant say it was a pleasure for them to see this ugle mug though,LOL!
7. Cracker Barrel time! Always found the local Cracker Barrel in the evening after games.
8. Just being outside for the greatest game ever created (softball and baseball) and hanging outside,the smell of the grass, eating B-B-Q between games,and just watching the DD play ball against the best.

Im sure Im missing some,but its 11pm and Im tired!