The "Fireballs Win 7-1" Story

It was an ordinary day. It's 52 degrees and I'm freezing. Waiting for the Urbana Fireballs to start their softball game. Game time is 10:00 AM and it's 9:45. Carol and I just arrived from Lancaster to watch our grand daughters play a softball game. Courtney, who is 9 years old, and Camille, who is 6, both play for the Fireballs, a team in the Urbana youth recreation league. Their jerseys are a bright red with their numbers and names on the back: Co Mencarini #18 and Ca Mencarini #14. Courtney was upset when she got her jersey that it had a Co on it. Wanted to know why it had to have that on her jersey.

The league is for girls and allows the coach from each team to pitch to their own players. You are allowed to see 7 pitches and you cannot walk You either hit the ball, strike out, or sit down after your 7 pitches. Some innings the coaches strike out the entire side for their team. Lucky they only play 6 innings. All girls bat and all play on the field. Counted 5 outfielders for the orange team during one inning. But, doesn't matter, since only three balls were hit to the outfield all game. Three by Co Mencarini. Courtney was by far the most talented player on the field. Not because she is my grand daughter, but because she is a very good player. Swung at the first pitch every time and got a hit every time. Only allowed to take one base on any hit. The Fireball's coach had his team bat in numerical order making both Ca and Co Mencarini upset, since they had the two highest numbers on the team. Courtney played 1st base, pitcher (they stand next to the opposing coach and fieldany

balls hit that way), and catcher. Camille played 2nd base, pitcher and catcher. After watching Camille strike out a few times I suggested she "choke up" on the bat maybe 4 or 6 inches. Showed her what I meant and when she got her final chance to bat, smacked the ball down the third base line. Biggest smile on her face. It's been a long, long time since I coached softball and base ball and even longer that I coached kids as young as the girls were today. I can't remember how I managed to last through a season with kids this young, but I did. And, I'm sure I must have enjoyed it, because I coached all ages of players for over 20 years. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - Pixs from the top are: Courtney taking a throw at first (notice how she is holding the base with one foot while stretcing for the throw with the other - showed her that last year), Courtney getting her first hit of the game, Camille "choking up" and hitting the ball, Camille catching, and my two favorite Fireballs, Co on the left and Ca on the right.