There's No Crying in Softball?

June 25, 2013

Why do kids play ball?  From my blog post on June 5th, I said it was because of the team structure, the camaraderie, the learning, the life sport.  And I hold strong to that reasoning.  We had an amazing time bonding as a team in Kansas City at the Hawaiian Hitfest this past weekend.  Our girls played some of the best softball I have ever seen them play.  Six straight games of the best defense, hitting & pitching to lead us into the championship game, game # 7.  Three straight days of fun, laughing, and working together. 

We had girls hitting to the fence, getting triples.  We had girls scooping up the ball and tossing it in one motion from the glove to the first baseman to get the out.  We had girls snagging line drives.  We had girls laying down the perfect bunt and getting the run scored.  We had girls pitching shut-outs.  We had catchers throwing out runners at second and third.  We had runners stealing and sliding and getting bloody.  It wasn't easy, but they made it look easy.  The girls were laughing and smiling and having fun.  They were fighting through and everything was working and it was good. 

In the championship game, we took 2nd place with a 12-0 loss - and it was a tough loss.  The opposing team was strong.  We were outmatched in size and strength, true.  But our loss seemed to be caused by a calamity of errors that we just couldn't recover from as a team.  Errors by no one person, by an entire team.  Errors that would, over and over, bring a brief, implausible look of "what is happening?" to their faces just before their jaw was clenched and fierceness hardened their eyes.

We will probably never know the real reason but the championship game just wasn't the same as all the rest.  Their mojo was interrupted somehow.  Maybe the 90+ degree weather proved too much, maybe they were dehydrated, maybe they ate something that didn't agree, maybe the other team was just plain better, maybe 6 games is their max, maybe another quadrillion maybes. 

I can tell you what it wasn't.  It wasn't buckling under the pressure of a first place win.  They have brought home the championship win earlier this season, three times.  They have fought hard and they have pulled through to get the first place trophy before and persevered.  They have competed again stronger and better teams and brought home the win.  They know how not to choke.

I can tell you what it wasn't.  It wasn't for the lack of effort.  Our girls fought to the end.  They kept hitting the ball, they kept running bases, they kept pitching the ball, they kept fielding the ball, they kept cheering each other on.  Even going into the last inning down by 10 with only 8 minutes to go, knowing that it was next to impossible for them to tie it up since we had a 5 run max per inning, the girls didn't give up.  Even when the crowd was hushed by the reality of the loss, unable to cheer or shout except on occasion to break the eery silence, the girls didn't give up.  They kept hitting the ball, they kept running bases, they kept pitching the ball, they kept fielding the ball, they kept cheering each other on.  To the very last out, that hope thing?  It was still there.

After the game I don't remember anyone crying.  I remember seeing a lot of long faces.  I remember seeing the unbelievable shock that seemed to ask "what just happened?"  I remember seeing shoulders slumped.  I remember seeing heads bowed.  I remember seeing girls go through the line, slapping hands, saying the words "good game" with bland sentiment.  But not tears.  I thought that was odd.  These are 12-year-olds.  I am old and a spectator and I nearly wept for them.  They were broken but had no tears.

Parents packed up our things while the team met with the coaches so I am not sure what was said.  But I can tell you this.  When the girls returned for the trophy presentation, they seemed proud.  I am sure that 2nd place wasn't bliss for them, but they seemed like they were proud of their efforts.  The game did not go well but they tried their best and they never gave up.  And sometimes THAT is what winning looks like.  Leaving the outcome aside and just doing what you know you can.  

Great job, ladies!  You continue to teach us everyday and we thank you for that.  We LOVE watching you play softball!

The best of luck in the World Series and beyond!