Maddie (10yo) played her final rec league game yesterday. Her team won 10-2 (6 innings) to win the League Championship title. Maddie went 2-for-3 with 3 RBI, and 2 runs scored. She also threw out one of the fastest runners in the league trying to steal 2B, and cut down a runner at the plate with a Superman-style diving tag after chasing down a wild pitch that got away from her. Her determination to win was as high as I've ever seen it. The game was a perfect exclamation point for the final sentence of the first chapter in her softball story.
In 3 Spring seasons with the league, her teams have won the League Championship twice, and she has been selected to All-Stars twice (we declined the nomination this year - see below). Her first All-Star team (8U) became the first team ever from this league to win the District Championship title. The girls on that team became the core of the '04 talent in the league, and played together last Fall as a "select" team. The experience with that group was significant in getting Maddie headed down a path towards a higher level.
Going into this final Spring season, it was obvious from the beginning that she was one of the top 10U players in the league. She did not disappoint. She lead her team with .750 BA, 27 hits, 38 RBI, 1.056 SLG, .846 OB%, 38 SB. She also hit the first 2 HRs of her life. More importantly, she developed into a strong leader in the field, in the dugout, and at practice. The mom of one of the first-time players on the team called Maddie "patient and gracious" in how she helps the newer players. That may be the best compliment I've ever heard.
Our rec league time has given us a lot of great memories, and it's been amazing to watch her development.
First game - excited and nervous...
Working the dish this season...
Discussing the option to play All-Stars this year, she wasn't interested. With much of the core '04 talent leaving the league for travel ball before the start of the Spring season, the chances for a successful All-Star campaign are pretty slim. We agree with and support her decision. Starting immediately, Maddie will be full-time with a 10U travel team.
We are all excited for the next chapter.
In 3 Spring seasons with the league, her teams have won the League Championship twice, and she has been selected to All-Stars twice (we declined the nomination this year - see below). Her first All-Star team (8U) became the first team ever from this league to win the District Championship title. The girls on that team became the core of the '04 talent in the league, and played together last Fall as a "select" team. The experience with that group was significant in getting Maddie headed down a path towards a higher level.
Going into this final Spring season, it was obvious from the beginning that she was one of the top 10U players in the league. She did not disappoint. She lead her team with .750 BA, 27 hits, 38 RBI, 1.056 SLG, .846 OB%, 38 SB. She also hit the first 2 HRs of her life. More importantly, she developed into a strong leader in the field, in the dugout, and at practice. The mom of one of the first-time players on the team called Maddie "patient and gracious" in how she helps the newer players. That may be the best compliment I've ever heard.
Our rec league time has given us a lot of great memories, and it's been amazing to watch her development.
First game - excited and nervous...
Working the dish this season...
Discussing the option to play All-Stars this year, she wasn't interested. With much of the core '04 talent leaving the league for travel ball before the start of the Spring season, the chances for a successful All-Star campaign are pretty slim. We agree with and support her decision. Starting immediately, Maddie will be full-time with a 10U travel team.
We are all excited for the next chapter.