What are you looking forward to this season?

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I?ve been doing this for a long time by the calendar (some say the sun dial) but it seems like yesterday when Shelby started playing fastpitch with a county Rec ball team. I know how much I looked forward to playing softball as a kid and young adult, and the same level of enthusiasm was obvious when my daughter got up on Saturday mornings. You would think after all these years it would become old or a nuisance.

For me, it still is exciting to put on my coaches shirt and drive many hours for a game. Although I admit to taking an occasional nap between games of a long weekend, my normal routine has me watching games when I?m not working with the girls that just need a little help before we play again. I?m still addicted to eating a hot dog at the park everyday, even when it?s noticeable by my belt line. Most of the time I?m one of the last to leave even if we?ve been eliminated.

I like watching a good game. I like watching the girls execute a play. I like seeing a big hit when the team needs it. I like seeing a base runner go another bag because she was paying attention. I like watching a pitcher come from behind in the count and get the batters out to save an inning for her team. I like watching good coaches doing their job and working the girls for 7 innings.

More importantly, I like seeing the love and understanding in the faces of the family as they hold her after a game----win or lose.

This is just a short list of the many things that make me smile and the core reasons I?ve stayed to be a part of the game after all these years. I see the young ladies display character, ethical behavior, composer, loyalty, develop pride, and establish a deep sense of commitment that carries into their adult life. Maybe it?s not me-------maybe it?s not from other coaches, but I feel the memories and life lessons learned from the experience is helping hone the young ladies to be productive citizens in society.

If I can help even one---------I?ll continue to volunteer.

daboss, what a great post.

 

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The games will take care of themselves win or lose. I am looking forward to the girls being kids and enjoying each others company. Watching them act like kids in between games. Enjoying the pool together during out of town tournaments. Grilling some food and hanging out with good friends during a beautiful sunshine filled day. And as the sun goes down, knowing that when all is said and done, we will all get together again in another week to do it all over.

 

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For me i still get a adrenaline rush like i did when i played (its been 4 summers) walking into the park with everyone warming up. I still hold a player mentality. Night games under the lights rock also for the same reasons.........

 

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Yeah, night games do rock.

 

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I am looking forward to my lil girl and "new" friends have fun, enjoying the times with the other parents, and oh yea a lil softball. Best of luck everyone. I hope everyone has a great safe season.

 

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Loading car up with coolers and accesaries on a warm summer Saturday morning and heading to the ballpark. I always get amped up for games it doesn't matter if its been a long day cause the last one is just as exciting as the first. This year we are making the jump to 16, so it will be interesting to see how the girls perform at this level. They've been putting in a lot of work, so hope to see improvement. Also can't wait to see and talk with all the good people from the OFC out there. Lastly a shout out to daboss I hope I'm still around the game like you are when I get older.

 

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Daboss -- a fantastic post. I think somebody should do a fastpitch video and have James Earl Jones read your post for it.

 

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You mean we have to do it again?............... and here I thought it only took one season

 

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Im looking forward to warm, dry weather, pitchers that throw strikes, batters that swing the bat and catchers that can catch the ball before it hits me!

 

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"Some may say you're a dreamer" John Lennon

 

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Freshman year of softball for daughter, me stepping back from Coaching (again) and letting her find her way without me on the field for the first time in....9 years...wow, this will be tough.

 

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Freshman year of softball for daughter, me stepping back from Coaching (again) and letting her find her way without me on the field for the first time in....9 years...wow, this will be tough.

East Central will be supporting 3 very good teams (Fresh / Reserve, & Varsity) this year.

Joe: Tell Tori I wish her the best. Also, I will be at quite a few games to see all the Static girls play & give Wully some coaching advice

 

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Kavin,

We will do...will always appreciate the support you gave her and the chance to step up in this game.

Thank you, and good luck this season...oh, and good luck keep Wully in line! HAHA!!

 

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Looking forward to 8-10 mini vacations this year. Sitting at the ball park and campground with good friends and some friends we haven't seen as much since last year. These are very good times!

 

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My biggest excitement this year is both dds will be on the same team. Oldest's last year of travel. After nationals she will have about a week before she reports to college for fall ball. Travel will still be a hike, she will be 3 hrs away for home games.
Youngest has been exciting because of the maturity of her game. For her to make an 18u team at 14 and then contribute both defensively and offensively against some of the top teams in the state as well as in Florida last year. Plus with them also being a battery together it was nerve wracking during the indoor winter league.

 

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Definitly nice weather and the kick off of high school softball . When they brought the state championships to firestone i went to almost every game watched the perry girls team win as underdogs also the first year when hoover beat elyria i think 3 to 2 awsome. And also travel ball watching my dd and her team improving there skills and having a good time playing a game she luves ,so proud to watch her grow up into a beautiful young women wont be long till its over, will enjoy each and every hit ,strikout , defensive play ,base running score,wins and loses ,these are the best days.

 

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Our dd is on a new team this season (thank you very much, Coach Barry), and the girls all act like 11 BFFs, even though most are together for the first time. Again, thanks to Coach B, we will be experiencing mostly new tournaments for the first time. I am really looking forward to watching the girls, visiting new parks in Ohio, Ky, and Tenn. I think it's going to be a great spring and summer.

I know our dd is getting higher than a kite for the season. She told me last year, one of her favorite sights is seeing me pack the wheeled cooler with goodies, cold drinks and ice for a softball weekend. Really excellent times.

Phil, if these gas prices keep going up and up, you parents will end up shooting me for overnighters we are in! LOL!

 

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The smell of the grass, the sounds of the park, the smile on the face of a player that just snagged a screaming line drive, or hit a double in the gap. That, and about 10,000 other memories of all the players. Even the heartbreaking loss in the bottom of the 7th.

 

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I can not list them all what I am looking foward to (list too long) but here are some.

1. Watching both daughters in action again. Getting to coach my oldest (poor Aubs) and watching Annie grow as a player with a solid coach in coach Tom with the Breakers 10u team.
2. Just being out in the warm sun (and rain thanks to me) watching the greatest game ever created (softball/baseball).
3. Taking our 14u team to different towns like Marysville,Lexington KY and Pigeon Forge TN where the girls can play at a different venue and see teams they usually wouldnt see to often. Nice to see different organizations and the way they run things also.
4. Looking foward to seeing that one ump from the Mt.Sterling fall tournament again so I can put my foot up his.............(sorry Im thinking out loud,lol.)
5. Watching our 14u team continue to grow and hang with the top teams from Ohio and surrounding states. We saw plenty of strong teams this fall/winter so hopefully that will pay off.
6. Waking up early in the morning,packing that huge ice chest we have and loading the van with the gear.
7. The wonderful and ever popular smell of my daughters socks after a long day when they take off the spikes.
8. Running into old friends I have met thru the years and meeting new ones.
9. Coaching and watching 14 games the one weekend in Toledo (Tune-up) where both girls have 7 games each. I will be tired out for sure!
10. BW3`s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
11. Watching each girl progress thru the season and hopefully they will enjoy this expierence.
12. Watch other coaches/scorekeepers attempt to argue with my scorekeeper. He is a big dude! LOL!!!!!!

 

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Watching DD take on a big challenge and working on my tan !!