We are a brand new, second year 12A team. We had to basically start from scratch last year after adding 6 new players. We had to get to know each other from top to bottom – the families, the coaches, but most importantly – the kids.

 

We had a tall task of learning how to handle different emotions, as well as making sure the girls all bonded on and off the field. You don’t think about those things until you are in the moment. I have to say, at first I was a little worried. They were shy, didn’t want to communicate and timid (we practice with an older team). But at the end of the day I knew we had something special. Every girl knowing their role and buy-in was key.

 

We felt like a broken record when we’d tell our kids to work hard and never give up as we were creating a culture!

 

Of course there were questions of the process: Why are we working on this?  Why aren’t we practicing more (we practice only twice a week for 2 hours at a time)? Why do we work on defense so much?  Why not get a pitching machine and work on hitting like (insert team name here)?

 

During the season I would even ask myself some questions. You know the quote, “Defense wins championships”.  I now believe this. We didn’t hit as well as I expected us to all season.  However, we’ve always had SOLID defense.

 

So Wednesday, here comes the Heartland World Series. Our last tournament of the season. Not knowing what the outcome would be, I knew we would at least be good defensively. The first 2 days were just pool games we’d eventually finish, 1-2-1.

 

From the get, these girls were ripping the cover off the ball. I didn’t want to jinx it so I kept my mouth shut but my spidey senses were well aware.

 

By Friday evening, we found ourselves in a must win game – win or go home. We were home  team and down by one. Near the end of the game, all I could think was, “this is it”!  Until we got a hit. Then another hit! Before I knew it, bases were loaded. I thought to myself, “no way”.  WAY! We were shaking hands and I was telling the girls I would see them in the morning cause we were moving on.

 

Saturday morning rolls around and we’re going to be in a heat advisory ALL day.  We were in the double elimination loser’s bracket

 

That means, if we wouldn’t had lost, we’d only have to play 1 game to get to the championship. Mind you we only have 2 Pitchers for the world series. What I witnessed over this past Saturday was something like a miracle as well as a glimpse for the girls to realize how good they actually are. Every team we were to play in the loser’s bracket was against teams we’d never or hardly beaten during the season. We’d have to win all three to get to the ‘ship (IN THIS HEAT). “Hold this beer and watch us work!”

Our first game was against a team we couldn’t beat during the regular season. Once again, our bats were HOT. We FINALLY beat them 8-5 but it really wasn’t even that close.  After the game – while leaving the field – an opposing parent along with a coach stopped me to tell me how incredible our defense is. He said, “he hasn’t seen a solid defense like that in this age group EVER!” and that, “it was refreshing to watch our team.” THAT was the best compliment/feeling a coach can receive. 

 

The second game was a team we had already faced in pool play but knew we couldn’t take them lightly. Our bats stayed hot as we came away with a 4-1 victory. 

 

The 3rd game was to be an all out fist to cuffs against a team we always have fits with. This was in the midst of seeing the devil run across the parking lot. I knew our girls were not done playing but the way this heat was setup… our catcher had developed a migraine and other girls were starting to mention other things as well. Needless to say we pulled it off with a 9-3 victory as the girls never took their foot off the gas.

 

FINALLY, we’re at the ‘ship! Against a team that’s been undefeated for the entire tournament

. 

Our girls were hot, sweaty, filthy, smelling like a pasture and sun burnt. But most of all, they were hungry.  They knew we had a chance to win this thing.  It was a tall order as we’d have to beat this team twice in order to bring home the gold.  Did I mention that we had to play 4 games to get here while they only had to play one? We made our beds so we laid in it.

 

The fight that they gave was an experience I will NEVER forget!  The heart that they all displayed was priceless. From some amazing pitching efforts, hits, to some crazy plays in the field our girls came together as a unit! We ended up going into extra innings ITB twice and fell short 5-4 to bring home the “silver”. But in my heart we came away with WAY more intangibles. The bar has now been raised.

 

I walked out of that park with my chin held so high I almost snapped the front of my neck. I can not tell you how proud I am of each and every one of my girls.  It may have only taken us all season for our bats to come alive but what better time?

 

Next season we will be raising the bar as a first year 14’s team. We can only continue to have our solid defense along with strong bats. 

I look forward to coaching this upcoming team! 

 

Coach Katie.