Within the last 2 weeks our KC Ambush ’03 group chat has received 2 very welcomed texts. 2 of our players have received clearance from off-season surgeries to start participating in full team activities.

McKenna Lester (Blue Springs South – 2021 – BL/TL – 1st/OF) has been cleared to participate in full team activities after having offseason reconstructive ACL surgery. McKenna has been with us for 5 years and I’ve witnessed this kid grow into what I’d call the hardest working kid in the area. A total gym rat & mutli-sport athlete. Last year she lead Ambush ’03 in batting average and slugging percentage and was a big player in our very successful season.

This year she joined us for the first time over the weekend and was nervous as all get out to get out there and accomplish her first hit. Once she got past that, I could quickly see the old Mckenna starting to surface. She ended up going 5/15 (.333 BA) with 2 doubles. The free spirited one even shocked me with showing some patience at the plate.

Last fall we picked up Alysa Garlock (Fort Osage – 2022 – BR/TR – C/Util) to solidify our roster in all areas of the field. She is recovering from, superior labral tear from anterior to posterior, better known as a SLAP tear. She had off-season surgery to repair the tear and we received the good news text yesterday that she’s cleared to ease back into the swing of things.

She played with us a couple games last season in the summer as she didn’t have a team and the girls loved her just as much as she loved the fit. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for these 2. Now we can start playing some good team ball without makeshift rosters with players playing out of position, etc.

I’ve been waiting for the moment for the girls to settle and worry more about softball rather than being forced into an unwanted position since last fall.

That moment too, has passed!