When Baseball Brings You to Tears.

This past weekend, Max's baseball team (The Cardinals) played in a baseball tournament in Broken Arrow.  It was hot as fire outside, and it was all we could do to keep the boys hydrated.  His first game began at 10 am, and they won.  We came home for a moment, at which time we ate lunch, Max took a shower, and relaxed for a while.  The second game began at 2 pm.

During this game, we could tell that the boys were tired and not really into the game.  Needless-to-say, they did not win this game.  This loss put them in a predicament, as this is a double elimination tourney, and we were in danger of being out of this series quickly.  When the second game had ended, we again, came home... Max chose to take a nap to see if he could get some energy for the third and final game of the day.

We arrived for the third game about a half an hour prior to the start, which was 6 pm.  Our boys seemed to have returned to the team we knew in past weeks for this game... and again, they won.  It was a great day at the ball field, and we came home to prepare for the final games of the tournament that were to be held the next day.

Sunday came, and so did the rain.  Our games had been rained out.  They were quickly rescheduled for the next day... Monday.

After coming off a 2 to 1 win/loss record from the previous game day, our boys were anxious, to say the least.  We knew we had one game to play, and if it was won, we'd have a second.  

The first game began promptly at 730 pm on Monday.  The boys played a great game.  Max hit during all of his at-bats, and played a fabulous catcher.  This game, and the one to follow, had a time limit of an hour and fifteen minutes.  Wherever they were at the end of this time, regardless of who was at bat or number of outs... the game would be over.  

This time limit came and went, as we were tied.  The first team to score would win.  This was the only scenario that would allow us to play longer.  The other team had bases loaded, and our closer pitched a perfect inning.  Three up, three down... They had held this team and were now up to bat.  Max's team scored, and we went onto play our last game of the night... It was now 845 pm.

The scenario of this last game was very similar to the first.  They were tied at the end of the time limit, held the other team, and then scored the winning run.  Ah, sweet success.

I cannot end this blog without saying how very proud I am of Max and his team!!!!  Not only did he play awesome in the field, but he ended the night with two singles, two doubles, and a triple.  If I remember correctly, all of his at-bats allowed runners to score.  (Can you tell I'm a proud mama??)  

For a first year catcher, Max is doing a phenomenal job.  Not many balls got by him, and he is the best at the run-down... a player leaves third base, Max throws the ball to the third baseman, who proceeds to throw it back to Max... It's inevitable... If you're in a run-down situation and Max is catcher, and Ethan is on third... They WILL get you out!!!  

During this last game, Max also caught a pop up foul ball for an out, and proceeded to shoot the ball to the second baseman... OH YEAH... A DOUBLE PLAY!!!  This ended the inning, and The Cardinals were up to bat.  As soon as Max realized he had just made a double play, he immediately ran to his dad and jumped on him with a smile as wide as the Grand Canyon... Tears came to my eyes as I watched in amazement at the pure joy he had knowing that his dad was proud of him!! Little does he know... It doesn't take a great game at the ball field for Chris to be proud of Max... He's proud of him for who is is, not what he does.  The image of this jubilation will be in my mind's eye for some time.  I don't think I'll ever forget it!!!

Now... one more game (Friday night), and the Cardinals will end the tourney victorious!!  Drive.  Heart.  Courage.  Skill.  Dedication.  Determination.  Mix them all together, and you have the Cardinals!!

cw