A Lesson on Playing Hard

Warning:  This is a Proud Mama Moment :)

E had her first All-Star softball game last night.  Her team lost, but she played fantastically.  She was in the starting lineup.  She struck out her first time at bat, but then she went on to tag outs and slam the ball, bringing in a runner.  She then got to come around the bases herself.  It was fun.  I'm one of 'those' moms.  The super-excited, cheer for the whole team, but just a bit louder for my own daughter.  I'll even yell at her if she strays too far from her base (she's a third baseman).  Now, get your panties unbunched, parents:  by yelling, I mean, I'll say loudly "Watch your bases, ladies!" or "Look alive, fielders!"  I don't berate my child or any others.  Have you calmed down, yet?  Good.  I want her to enjoy the game.

E at bat right before she smacked it a good one.
Picture taken by Jeana Davis.

And that leads me to my proud moment.  Yes, I am happy that she played well last night, but I'm super hyped that she had a GREAT attitude into the last inning.  This was one of those games where the other team was up by 20.  (Yikes!)  It demoralized the girls on our team pretty good.  They started to look sleepy and started looking at their manicures instead of the bases.  You know what I caught my daughter doing?  Encouraging her pitcher, "Let's go Abby, you can do this!" from her third base position.  I caught her lifting her arms cheering for her pitcher when she threw a strike.  Why am I super proud of this?  Because she was doing it AFTER they were down by 20.  I caught her talking to her catcher - trying to get her to throw out the runner trying to sneak to third.  In short, I caught my child still giving her best when everyone considered their  team down and out for the count.  

Did she magically rally her team for a movie-worthy comeback finish?  No, I already shared that they lost, but she played like a movie champion the entire night.  I am proud of her ATTITUDE.  She rocks.  :)