Summer Vacation Day One: The One With Bri's All Star Game

 

 

Summer began with a bang - almost literally yesterday - as Bri participated in an All Star Game for the first time ever. It was a great game to watch and the perfect cap to a nine year career in the DGS league.

First, we arrived early and were there to enjoy the end of the Championship game that occurred before that. It was a hard fought game - from what we could tell - but in the end the Super Team of the league won. They were really good.

Then, it was time for the game. They did announce the teams (Bri's name was third) and even played the national anthem (which sparked Facebook controversy because a neighborhood noticed that some people were not standing for it, or seemed confused, but after several people, including us chimed in, we realized she was looking at the little kid's game on the lower field that had no clue what was going on). Bri checked in with her current coach and some old coaches, including coach Jill, which was a neat way for her to say farewell to her time in the league. Then, it was time for the game. Her team was the visiting team and wore the white shirts (instead of the home blue team). They picked numbers for the batting order - she was 9th, so it two innings for her to get up to plate. Both of her at-bats were strong ground outs to third, who threw to first.

 

In the field, she started off in right, where she did not see a ball come to her (except for a foul that was on the other side of the fence). Then, she played third (always an adventure, because she had not played in a while). She was in left later, and handled a ball that got through the infield. Bri then played catcher. She made some solid catches on pitches, but also took a ball (or bat) off the hand. It is always tough to see coaches and an umpire crowd around your kiddo, but she stuck in there.

 

After six innings, the game was over. Her team lost, but it was an amazing end to a fabulous nine year career as a member of Danvers Girls Softball.

The One With the Parade

Yesterday was quite a day, filled with many things.

 But one that sticks out was the event that started out the day...the SoftBall Parade.

This is the first year Bri has decided to play softball and we started the day by heading to the center of town at 9:30 for the softball parade. There, the teams gathered to march with the Little League through the center of town to their prospective home fields.

Bri was nervous at first that we might be late - after all, this was a new event to her. But, was excited when we got there. She found a friend and together - with her team - held the banner and shouted "Let's Go Dukes" through town.

It was fun to watch the procession...which was long indeed....go through town, by Tapley Hall, cutting down Essex street before Gios, and heading to Pickering Street, past the YMCA, and to the school. But, they hung in there well.

There were many people we knew as well, which made it fun. But, what stood out was the past that it was like the passing of a tradition...I remember walking in the parade in Natick back in the 1980s...just like her.

Now, on with the season.