First base is THAT way!

Fast forward to fall of 2003, Audrea attempted once more to play soccer. By this time we were back in the Central Valley and although the ag business does wonders to feed our country and keep us all employed, it, along with the bowl effect of the valley, wrecks havoc on the lungs. By mid-season, she's wheezing and an inhaler follows shortly. Soccer is done. Much to the disappointment of her dad and 5 uncles. (No pressure there!)

Mid-winter of the same year, I see the ads for Softball sign ups in the newspaper. Little Miss Softball will be at the mall for the next two weeks signing up players for the spring! YES! This is it! We are home again and by now I really want her to play a sport I know something about! I picture my girl playing first base or shortstop, bright ugly jersey, knee-high socks and big green outfield fence in the background. I see her swinging the bat and reaching that fence redeeming me once and for all! Yes, this is my chance to live vicariously through my child! She's been dragging around a bat since the day she could walk and up to now we hadn't been stationary enough for her to play. She, however, is not so eager after the whole breathing thing in the fall. (Aw..suck it up!) She HAS to do it! We've talked softball and baseball for years. It's what we've been waiting for. So I thought. But, no-she's not havin' it. She'd had enough with the "family tradition" mess from soccer. She did not want to play softball, just because "that's what we do." AUGH. Time to bring out the BIG GUNS! The conversation went something like this:

"Honey, why don't you just play for one season?"
"No Mom."
"Play one season for me and if you hate it you don't ever have to play again ok?"
"Mom, I don't want to. Just 'cause you and your sister played. I can't breath when I'm out there!"
"Honey, you have an inhaler now! And I sat through three soccer seasons, remember? I think you can do one softball season for me."
"Fine! One season. Will you leave me alone if I agree to one season?"

And so started her softball career. Who ever said guilt doesn't work?

So off we went, new cleats, a new bat, batting gloves, an equipment bag...oh...what to do for a glove? Do we buy a brand new one? One that has never been played with? I know in my heart of hearts that she'll just fall in love with the game and play forever and ever and therefore, she should have a brand new glove. I also know that a brand new glove is lousy to play with and takes at least one whole season to break in and since she's never played before is not a good idea. So humming "Take me out the the Ballgame," I dug around my parent's garage and found my first glove, dusted it off, wrote her name in permanent marker and she's ready for the all-stars!

If only the coach was...Now I have to premise this with saying anyone who volunteers their time to coach and mentor any group of kids deserves extra points in Heaven and I thought that long before I ever decided to coach. However, this coach barely knew first from third and really when you're trying to set your kid up for Softball Stardom, you want a coach that knows the game. So, seeing the frustration of the girls and parents alike, I offered to step in and "help." The problem is that I'm not very good at following. I can lead, but I can not follow, especially when I think I know more then my leader and in this case I did. So I worked with the girls as much as possible and by mid-season, the coach politely told me she'd take it from there and that my help was no longer needed. (OUCH!) By the end of the season, Audrea was very confused and frustrated and horror of horrors, thinking she never wanted to play again!!!
It was at that point that I decided I would coach my daughters' softball teams from here on out. I understand that I don't know everything about the game, but I do know where first and third are and more important, I know my limits in coaching and I am not afraid to ask for and accept help. With that promise made, I was able to convince her to try again the next spring. Whew.