We aren't the champions, my friends

A month ago I decided to do something adventurous and coach little girls softball. We have a small team of seven but some great players and more importantly, a group of great kids. Tonight was our first game -- the Southside Flames against the Centerpoint Angels and they beat us 5-2. Our highlights were an amazing home run by my all-star first baseman, Bre, and a couple of great defensive plays by the infield pitcher, short stop and first baseman. I have always hated the parents that take the game too seriously, but I definitely did it tonight as head coach and I have my tail tucked a little bit in retrospect. The lack of organization on the grown-ups part was embarrassing. Our field was not chalked and had no bases when I got there to find out that it was my responsibility to do all that. There were all kinds of rules questions and problems between our umpire and the Centerfield coach who felt like he needed to question our line-up every third batter or so (like this was some kind of trophy match).

I really am going to try to calm down for next game and remember that these are kids who don't need to feel stressed out by the game, but as a kid I did get worked up about games. I cried, threw helmets around and spent a lot of time going over everything that went wrong and how strange that all those emotions have come back. I am not saying they are right or justified; they are just there. I was never a so much a sore loser, just a passionate player and that applies to all realms of my life. The sting of defeat doesn't really go away for me, but I am not going to stop caring and regardless of the negative feedback I seem to be getting from some of the small-minded, "I'm in it for my kid only" parents, I will get back out there and make a better go of it next game. After all, I have a bunch of eight- and seven-year-olds depending on me.

Comments

Christina said…
I think it's great your coaching a team. We hope to come cheer you on one day. It there a way for you to post a schedule for us?
2:25 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
More photos and trivia are coming later today as well as later in the week to celebrate the year 1975. All I can say is get ready to get down!
Read more

Happy Birthday Audrey Rose!

Image
Audrey Rose Georges turned one year old today. Her mom, Angela, made this wonderful invitation for the occasion and has done an excellent job of documenting Audrey from a positive pregnancy test to her most recent milestone, taking her first steps, through her blog, My Daily Struggle . This is one well-documented and adored kid and I hope Angela and Papa Tim congratulate themselves on 12 months of excellent hard work. Audrey is a little superstar.
Read more

"It's too close for comfort, this heat has got right out of hand"

Image
Does anyone remember the video for this song. It was so stupid. The Banarama girls were being followed by a trucker and they threw some banana peels on his windshield -- like that would stop him. Any other '80s fans out there remember any more details? I still loved the group and still love the song. I actually have this single on vinyl -- just like the picture. Tomorrow will be a beast. Today the air conditioning was like the Little Engine that Could except this little engine never made it over the hill. The dog pants all the time like she can never quite catch her breath and outside it is just nasty. Even at midnight tonight it was still 85 degrees and a super sauna outside. I have an elaborate system of fans set up in the bedroom and it helps. Andi even has her own fan and she sleeps jacked up right next to it. To add insult to injury, K called me at work frantic last night, "THERE IS A POSSUM IN THE BASEMENT!" If that exclamation doesn't typify the deep south I d...
Read more