That Winning Smile

Leyden began playing slow pitch softball at the age of four at the country softball field where Brad played growing up. She played there for four years, and skipped one year in the middle because she was ice skating. Last spring, we decided it was time for Leyden to get some experience playing fast pitch, because she wants to try out for the JV softball team at her school next year. So, we signed her up for the local city league.

The transition from slow pitch to fast pitch was difficult for Leyden. She had a really hard time getting the timing right on her swing, but she had great coaches who were very patient and encouraging, and she kept working. By the end of the season, she had gotten a couple of hits, but she still didn't have enough confidence.

This year, Leyden got on an awesome team. I have seen an improvement in Leyden from day one of this season. The coaches are the best: they are all great teachers and very patient and encouraging. The head coach tells the girls after every game that each one had a part in the team's success, that he is proud of them because they play as a team and not individuals, and he congratulates them on a job well done. He offers constructive criticism when it's needed, and encouragement all the time. We couldn't ask for better coaches!

Well, Leyden's team played a very good team last night. I knew it would be a good game, but SWEET MERCY, I never imagined things would turn out they way they did, not in a million years!

In this league, the girls play six innings or 90 minutes. At the bottom of the sixth inning, the score was still 0 to 0, and there were less than 10 minutes left on the clock. All we needed was one run and we would win the game. And guess who was first up to bat? You got it... Leyden! She had struck out every time she got up to bat last night, but she was getting fouls, so I was hopeful...

She fouled twice, so she had two strikes and one ball, and she did something she's never done before. She looked up at me in the stands and smiled. She was loving every second of it. The next pitch, she hit a line drive to right field! She got to first base and rounded to second but turned around and went back to first. The next batter struck out but when the catcher missed a ball, Leyden stole second. The next batter up got a double, and Leyden got to third base. The next batter took a few pitches, and then she hit it. Leyden took off from third, and I had my camera ready to get a good picture of her slide... and I took the picture early because I was too busy screaming for Leyden to "RUN! RUN! RUN!" and the next thing I knew, the umpire was yelling, "SAFE!" and Leyden's coach was running from first base to hug her.

It was close, but LEYDEN scored the winning run!!!
I was so proud of her, I jumped up and down on the bleachers and yelled, "That's my daughter!" And as an after thought, I said, "And she doesn't get it from me!" (I know everyone thought I was crazy and obnoxious, but after our bumpy journey in fast pitch, I was SO PROUD that Leyden had come through for her team in a tense situation.)

After the game, as the coach was talking to the girls, he congratulated Leyden and her teammate for their great hits in the last inning. The smile says it all...