Inspiring 10 year-olds
This past weekend I had the honor and privilege of being an Assistant Coach with the Minnetonka Magic. They are the 10U Fastpitch Softball Team that I have been an Assistant for all year (4 month season!). I have been with them through league games, scrimmages, practices, and tournaments. Well this weekend was the tournament of all tournaments! The girls played in the Northern League National Tournament. After getting seeded in the Silver Division they lost their first game in a tough battle. They bounced back to win their second game 9-6. Then came the next game. They would be playing another team from Minnetonka that was comprised of members of 3 different teams from the city. Our team played so well this season that we earned the right to play in the tournament as is. The other teams had to divide up to claim the other 2 team spots earned by Minnetonka Softball program.
The Magic fought hard for 80 minutes/5.1 innings. Our started was out of gas, bases were loaded. In comes our other pitcher. Gets the 2 outs and doesn't allow any runs. Being the visiting team, we are now up to bat in International Rules Extra Innings. We unfortunately are unable to plate a run and the other team comes up. After fighting hard to get the 2 outs there are runners on the corners. Batter hits the ball, throw is to the plate, runner slides in under the tag and the game is over.
This may sound like a disappointing end to a fantastic season (I believe the official record is 34-12) but it was really an inspirational end to the season for me. These 10 year-olds played their hearts out all season over coming slumps, bad calls, and injuries. They had a few different moments where they were backed up against the wall and fought hard to keep going. In the state tournament they lost a game and proceeded to play 6 games in one day fighting to finish 3rd coming from behind to win in 4 of those games. They played the whole season with class and energy. They were good sports and became one of the greatest teams I have ever seen. And so when they are older talking about when they were 10 playing in the National Tournament and telling stories about their amazing season I am glad that I was, in some small way, a part of it.
Magic here, Magic there, Magic everywhere! Poof There it is!
The Magic fought hard for 80 minutes/5.1 innings. Our started was out of gas, bases were loaded. In comes our other pitcher. Gets the 2 outs and doesn't allow any runs. Being the visiting team, we are now up to bat in International Rules Extra Innings. We unfortunately are unable to plate a run and the other team comes up. After fighting hard to get the 2 outs there are runners on the corners. Batter hits the ball, throw is to the plate, runner slides in under the tag and the game is over.
This may sound like a disappointing end to a fantastic season (I believe the official record is 34-12) but it was really an inspirational end to the season for me. These 10 year-olds played their hearts out all season over coming slumps, bad calls, and injuries. They had a few different moments where they were backed up against the wall and fought hard to keep going. In the state tournament they lost a game and proceeded to play 6 games in one day fighting to finish 3rd coming from behind to win in 4 of those games. They played the whole season with class and energy. They were good sports and became one of the greatest teams I have ever seen. And so when they are older talking about when they were 10 playing in the National Tournament and telling stories about their amazing season I am glad that I was, in some small way, a part of it.
Magic here, Magic there, Magic everywhere! Poof There it is!
posted by Chris | 9:00 AM
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