Bringing post over from my old blog
Tuesday, 3 May 2005
Mood: rushed
As you can see, I'm not keeping up with this blog. Life is so busy. Even though I only work 6 hours a day, between that and the girls softball, and the 12 puppies our dog just had....phew ~ we're busy. Not to mention this nasty virus that the kids keep passing back and forth to each other ~ yuk! Anyway, my daughters had a less than average game on Saturday. It's "coach pitch" and their coach almost had a no hitter. That's not a good thing. Girls that normally hit just fine and get on base all the time were having trouble even connecting with the ball. Needless to say, the other team scored more runs, but that's okay. The girls had fun and there were bright spots to the game. My 5-year-old hit the first pitch at one of her at bats! My 8-year-old caught a line drive on her backhand side, I was, of course, impressed. Last week I missed the game because I had to work. My Father-in-Law said that she made a diving catch to her backhand side in that game. Hard to imagine, but that's what he said. I couldn't even dive and stop a ball until I got to college. These young athletes nowdays are amazing aren't they? It stinks that I missed it, but that's the way life goes sometimes. At least I still have a chance to see their first homeruns right? I attempted to play slow pitch again. Didn't do too badly. I actually got a hit once and threw someone out at first from right field, but I also strained my quad and couldn't sprint so I didn't play much after that. It was still great to see everyone and socialize with the other ladies. As far as www.AllAboutFastpitch.com goes ~ I'm still updating and adding. My latest thing is Google AdSense ~ we'll see how well that works out. Or doesn't ~ LOL. Whether it works out or not, I at least learn something from the experience. :)
Posted by Stacie at 1:59 PM HDT
Tuesday, 19 April 2005
Mood: incredulous
Topic: Playing Softall
Okay, so finally, someone talked me into playing softball again. I realize now why I usually decline those offers/suggestions. I'm in no shape to be playing right now! LOL ~ I wouldn't even call what I did this weekend "playing softball". I mean, yes I was on the field, but when you can't even get to half the balls hit in your direction, and then bobble half the balls you do touch, it's hard to categorize as "playing ball".
For those of you returned to a sport after a long hiatus, you know probably understand what I went through. My mind knew what to do, but my body just didn't quite carry out the action. I suppose I should go easy on myself considering I just had my fourth child 4 months ago, but still, when you're used to doing something well, performing below average just sort of blows your mind. In addition, I'm now walking like an old lady because, two days later, my quads and hams still feel the effects of all the running and various other moves performed this weekend. When you haven't sprinted in over a year and only on occasion in 8 years prior to that, I suppose you shouldn't expect the strength or speed of your youth. Right now, my 8-year old, in her first year playing, fields and hits better than I do. I suppose I should allow her to instruct me at home in the yard.
Anyway, at least my family had fun watching me play. My daughters, who never did see me play softball before, enjoyed the day at the park.
Posted by Stacie at 12:43 PM HDT Updated: Tuesday, 19 April 2005 12:46 PM HDT
Tuesday, 12 April 2005
The Game
Topic: Softball Parent
And the softball parent returns! As promised here's another entry from the "softball parent" side of me. We enjoyed beautiful softball weather this past weekend as my daughters got to play another game.
The first thing that stands out in my mind is that both of my daughters got on base each time they came up to bat. Yippee! I'm learning about what it's like to be a "softball mom". Routine things accomplished by your child lift your spirits and bring a smile to your face.
The second thing I remember most about the game is how my 5 yr old was in the worst mood before the game. She was "tired" ~ she didn't even warm up with the team, but stood on the side in silence as the coaches attempted to coax her into all the "fun" the other players were having. Their efforts beared no fruit as she insisted that she was "tired". Granted the game was in the middle of the day - not an ideal time for 5 yr olds. Giving in to the reality that I may not see my 5 yr old play that day, I encouraged her to sit in the dug out and cheer for her team.
Being the home team, we were out on defense first. Needless to say, only my oldest played during that defensive turn while my younger daughter remained in the dug out and cheered for her team. In the 8U age division, everyone bats, so even though my 5 yr old didn't play on defense, she could still had a turn at bat providing she would actually want one. According to our "team mom", my 5 yr old kept declining her chance to bat, but just before her turn, she changed her mind and put on her batting helmet. I remember looking into the dug out and seeing her wear her helmet ~ I was going to see her play after all! So my 5yr old got up to the plate and stood ready in the batter's box. After unsuccessfully swinging at the first 6 pitches from her coach, my daughter faced the 7th and final pitch of her at bat. If she swung and missed again or fouled the ball off, she would be out. The pitch came in from her coach a bit high, but she swung and, what do you know? The bat hit the ball and she started running to first! The throw to first got by the first baseman and my daughter was safe!
She played the rest of the game on defense and offense and even hit the ball and reached 1st base safely again in her next at bat. Though my oldest daughter got better hits and made plays on defense that a parent can be proud of, it was just as enjoyable watching my younger daughter play and enjoy softball.
Posted by Stacie at 10:32 AM HDT
Wednesday, 6 April 2005
Mood: happy
As I search for a direction or focus for this blog, I continue my quest to create an entry almost every day. Seeing as how this is just my 3rd entry, however, it appears that I'm not quite succeeding in that particular endeavor. I can only get better right?
I also work to steadily improve www.AllAboutFastpitch.com by adding new information and new features. Yesterday I added a poll to the home page. I definitely want a bit more interaction with my visitors, so the poll is the first step in that direction. Now I face the task of providing interesting questions for visitors to answer. Yet another challenge as I seek to improve my website. Again, any comments or suggestions are certainly welcome.
Now, an update for you from the "softball parent" in me. My daughters had their 3rd game of the season this past weekend (8U). They actually got 3 outs in each defensive inning they played! On a team where maybe 2 players have previous experience, 3 outs in an inning is a big deal ~ LOL. The first game of the season, they managed 1 out per inning. The second game 2 outs, and this 3rd game, 3 outs! WooHoo! I so look forward to watching these young players enjoy the game. We'll play again on Saturday and, whether you like it or not, there will be another "softball parent" report next week. Until then, take care and enjoy softball!
Posted by Stacie at 8:38 AM HDT Wednesday, 30 March 2005
Day 2
Mood: cheeky
Okay, so I'm new at this blogging thing, but apparently it's "more interesting" if I write just about every day. With that in mind, here we go....
My two oldest daughters are playing softball for the first time ~ 8U. Besides seeing them have fun, one of the best things about experiencing softball as a parent is remembering back to "when the game was fun". As a high school coach, I often encounter players at practice with an "I'd rather be on my cell phone" attitude. It's so refreshing to watch an 8U or 10U team practice or play a game. Players hustle and actually try to do what the coach asks. Granted, half the time they aren't quite successful, but the effort is there. Where does that all go? Why does it disappear in the 5 years between 8U and high school? Now, as a parent, I'm faced with the challenge of "keeping the enthusiasm" in my two young daughters. Suggestions from "experienced" parents are welcome!
And what's with the cell phone anyway? I can't believe how many phones ring during practice or during a game. We have to actually tell the girls that the phones need to be OFF or on vibrate during softball practice/games. I guess part of it comes from the fact that players nowdays are raised with cell phones and I was not. Cell phones are so much a part of every day life now that they must be thinking "what do you mean I have to go without my phone for 2 whole hours???" And for me, it's like "Why on God's green earth do you need to have that thing with you 24/7?" After all, no one had a cell phone in school when I was growing up. Gosh...now I feel old. LOL
Posted by Stacie at 9:45 AM HST
Monday, 28 March 2005
Mood: surprised
Well, who'd ever thought I'd be blogging? Certainly not me. I mean, what's the point of blogging anyway? I've heard great things about it though, so I'm going to give it a shot as I work on my website All About Fastpitch. I'm currently working on adding to the site to expand it and give my visitors more information/resources. If there's anything you'd like to see, please let me know. I've already had a request for more PICTURES! So, rest assured, I am working on it. I do love to hear from my visitors so please feel free to contact me or comment here in my blog. Also, don't forget to sign the All About Fastpitch guestbook.
It is a lovely day here in Hawaii. I do hope the weather keeps up for the weekend so that my daughters can actually play their 8U softball game. So far it's been play, no play, play, no play due to rain! Apparently, the weather has been like this all over the country. Rain, rain, go away. :)
Mood: rushed
As you can see, I'm not keeping up with this blog. Life is so busy. Even though I only work 6 hours a day, between that and the girls softball, and the 12 puppies our dog just had....phew ~ we're busy. Not to mention this nasty virus that the kids keep passing back and forth to each other ~ yuk! Anyway, my daughters had a less than average game on Saturday. It's "coach pitch" and their coach almost had a no hitter. That's not a good thing. Girls that normally hit just fine and get on base all the time were having trouble even connecting with the ball. Needless to say, the other team scored more runs, but that's okay. The girls had fun and there were bright spots to the game. My 5-year-old hit the first pitch at one of her at bats! My 8-year-old caught a line drive on her backhand side, I was, of course, impressed. Last week I missed the game because I had to work. My Father-in-Law said that she made a diving catch to her backhand side in that game. Hard to imagine, but that's what he said. I couldn't even dive and stop a ball until I got to college. These young athletes nowdays are amazing aren't they? It stinks that I missed it, but that's the way life goes sometimes. At least I still have a chance to see their first homeruns right? I attempted to play slow pitch again. Didn't do too badly. I actually got a hit once and threw someone out at first from right field, but I also strained my quad and couldn't sprint so I didn't play much after that. It was still great to see everyone and socialize with the other ladies. As far as www.AllAboutFastpitch.com goes ~ I'm still updating and adding. My latest thing is Google AdSense ~ we'll see how well that works out. Or doesn't ~ LOL. Whether it works out or not, I at least learn something from the experience. :)
Posted by Stacie at 1:59 PM HDT
Tuesday, 19 April 2005
Mood: incredulous
Topic: Playing Softall
Okay, so finally, someone talked me into playing softball again. I realize now why I usually decline those offers/suggestions. I'm in no shape to be playing right now! LOL ~ I wouldn't even call what I did this weekend "playing softball". I mean, yes I was on the field, but when you can't even get to half the balls hit in your direction, and then bobble half the balls you do touch, it's hard to categorize as "playing ball".
For those of you returned to a sport after a long hiatus, you know probably understand what I went through. My mind knew what to do, but my body just didn't quite carry out the action. I suppose I should go easy on myself considering I just had my fourth child 4 months ago, but still, when you're used to doing something well, performing below average just sort of blows your mind. In addition, I'm now walking like an old lady because, two days later, my quads and hams still feel the effects of all the running and various other moves performed this weekend. When you haven't sprinted in over a year and only on occasion in 8 years prior to that, I suppose you shouldn't expect the strength or speed of your youth. Right now, my 8-year old, in her first year playing, fields and hits better than I do. I suppose I should allow her to instruct me at home in the yard.
Anyway, at least my family had fun watching me play. My daughters, who never did see me play softball before, enjoyed the day at the park.
Posted by Stacie at 12:43 PM HDT Updated: Tuesday, 19 April 2005 12:46 PM HDT
Tuesday, 12 April 2005
The Game
Topic: Softball Parent
And the softball parent returns! As promised here's another entry from the "softball parent" side of me. We enjoyed beautiful softball weather this past weekend as my daughters got to play another game.
The first thing that stands out in my mind is that both of my daughters got on base each time they came up to bat. Yippee! I'm learning about what it's like to be a "softball mom". Routine things accomplished by your child lift your spirits and bring a smile to your face.
The second thing I remember most about the game is how my 5 yr old was in the worst mood before the game. She was "tired" ~ she didn't even warm up with the team, but stood on the side in silence as the coaches attempted to coax her into all the "fun" the other players were having. Their efforts beared no fruit as she insisted that she was "tired". Granted the game was in the middle of the day - not an ideal time for 5 yr olds. Giving in to the reality that I may not see my 5 yr old play that day, I encouraged her to sit in the dug out and cheer for her team.
Being the home team, we were out on defense first. Needless to say, only my oldest played during that defensive turn while my younger daughter remained in the dug out and cheered for her team. In the 8U age division, everyone bats, so even though my 5 yr old didn't play on defense, she could still had a turn at bat providing she would actually want one. According to our "team mom", my 5 yr old kept declining her chance to bat, but just before her turn, she changed her mind and put on her batting helmet. I remember looking into the dug out and seeing her wear her helmet ~ I was going to see her play after all! So my 5yr old got up to the plate and stood ready in the batter's box. After unsuccessfully swinging at the first 6 pitches from her coach, my daughter faced the 7th and final pitch of her at bat. If she swung and missed again or fouled the ball off, she would be out. The pitch came in from her coach a bit high, but she swung and, what do you know? The bat hit the ball and she started running to first! The throw to first got by the first baseman and my daughter was safe!
She played the rest of the game on defense and offense and even hit the ball and reached 1st base safely again in her next at bat. Though my oldest daughter got better hits and made plays on defense that a parent can be proud of, it was just as enjoyable watching my younger daughter play and enjoy softball.
Posted by Stacie at 10:32 AM HDT
Wednesday, 6 April 2005
Mood: happy
As I search for a direction or focus for this blog, I continue my quest to create an entry almost every day. Seeing as how this is just my 3rd entry, however, it appears that I'm not quite succeeding in that particular endeavor. I can only get better right?
I also work to steadily improve www.AllAboutFastpitch.com by adding new information and new features. Yesterday I added a poll to the home page. I definitely want a bit more interaction with my visitors, so the poll is the first step in that direction. Now I face the task of providing interesting questions for visitors to answer. Yet another challenge as I seek to improve my website. Again, any comments or suggestions are certainly welcome.
Now, an update for you from the "softball parent" in me. My daughters had their 3rd game of the season this past weekend (8U). They actually got 3 outs in each defensive inning they played! On a team where maybe 2 players have previous experience, 3 outs in an inning is a big deal ~ LOL. The first game of the season, they managed 1 out per inning. The second game 2 outs, and this 3rd game, 3 outs! WooHoo! I so look forward to watching these young players enjoy the game. We'll play again on Saturday and, whether you like it or not, there will be another "softball parent" report next week. Until then, take care and enjoy softball!
Posted by Stacie at 8:38 AM HDT Wednesday, 30 March 2005
Day 2
Mood: cheeky
Okay, so I'm new at this blogging thing, but apparently it's "more interesting" if I write just about every day. With that in mind, here we go....
My two oldest daughters are playing softball for the first time ~ 8U. Besides seeing them have fun, one of the best things about experiencing softball as a parent is remembering back to "when the game was fun". As a high school coach, I often encounter players at practice with an "I'd rather be on my cell phone" attitude. It's so refreshing to watch an 8U or 10U team practice or play a game. Players hustle and actually try to do what the coach asks. Granted, half the time they aren't quite successful, but the effort is there. Where does that all go? Why does it disappear in the 5 years between 8U and high school? Now, as a parent, I'm faced with the challenge of "keeping the enthusiasm" in my two young daughters. Suggestions from "experienced" parents are welcome!
And what's with the cell phone anyway? I can't believe how many phones ring during practice or during a game. We have to actually tell the girls that the phones need to be OFF or on vibrate during softball practice/games. I guess part of it comes from the fact that players nowdays are raised with cell phones and I was not. Cell phones are so much a part of every day life now that they must be thinking "what do you mean I have to go without my phone for 2 whole hours???" And for me, it's like "Why on God's green earth do you need to have that thing with you 24/7?" After all, no one had a cell phone in school when I was growing up. Gosh...now I feel old. LOL
Posted by Stacie at 9:45 AM HST
Monday, 28 March 2005
Mood: surprised
Well, who'd ever thought I'd be blogging? Certainly not me. I mean, what's the point of blogging anyway? I've heard great things about it though, so I'm going to give it a shot as I work on my website All About Fastpitch. I'm currently working on adding to the site to expand it and give my visitors more information/resources. If there's anything you'd like to see, please let me know. I've already had a request for more PICTURES! So, rest assured, I am working on it. I do love to hear from my visitors so please feel free to contact me or comment here in my blog. Also, don't forget to sign the All About Fastpitch guestbook.
It is a lovely day here in Hawaii. I do hope the weather keeps up for the weekend so that my daughters can actually play their 8U softball game. So far it's been play, no play, play, no play due to rain! Apparently, the weather has been like this all over the country. Rain, rain, go away. :)
posted by Stacie | 2:37 PM
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