Category: Baseball

This weekend was Peyton’s last tournament weekend. It was bittersweet! On the one hand, it’s the last tourney. But we’re really going to miss the families we’ve met along the way, for this short, but intense season. It started Saturday, and even though we didn’t play until noon, we showed up in town by 830a. Dave was meeting two different people at a coffee shop to sell two Craigslist things. Both appointments showed up on time, and he made the “exchange” while I stayed inside with the kids to enjoy our breakfast. We headed over to the field, and another family had already arrived. Coach was running late because of traffic, so Dave settled in to get our team ready. There was an accident that we had avoided for our early arrival, but another family took 2 hours to drive over the hill!

The first game was a close one, being lost by a run. Peyton was lead-off batter for two games, but didn’t hit as well as expected. Peyton got to pitch an inning, and despite not having any strike outs, she did throw some strikes, and held her runners to not have any score against her. The second game was equally heart-breaking, losing by 1 run as well. We went to dinner as a team, as both games were back to back. After we disbanded, we took the kids to enjoy ice cream. Peyton fell asleep on the way home, and she threw a fit at the request of taking a shower despite being pig pen! She finally did take a shower before getting to bed.

Today, we left about the same time. This time to get coffee at “THE place”. We headed to a breakfast bagel place before the game. We saw the same early family there, as they pulled up while I was waiting for Dave in the car. We ate with them on the field waiting for the others to arrive, well in advance of our game time of 1030 am, but we were avoiding Wharf to Wharf traffic, which we saw at the coffee place. Brandon said, “Those people are runners.” I asked him how he knew. “Because they’re wearing bibs!” I guess he’s been around a few races 🙂 We were playing the “Pajaro” valley , and both kids said, “Hey, we’re playing the ‘Bird’ Valley tournament, since that’s what ‘Pajaro’ is in Spanish.” I guess they learned something over their four weeks of Spanish!

Because of our two loses, we were playing in the bronze bracket for today. We were up first in the game. She wasn’t lead-off batter this time, but was buried lower in the line up. She’d told us, “Coach Toby told us if we won two games today, then we’d be 7th place!” There were 9 teams, three brackets – gold, silver and bronze. Here’s her first at-bat on Sunday:

She hit it to short, and they threw to second. Since it wasn’t a force, she needed to be tagged. The first base coach sent her, and she kept running! She got in there just as the ball was thrown to the second baseman. SAFE!

I missed her second at-bat as Brandon was watching intently, and I chose to capture that moment instead. He was really sweet today, really getting into it now that it was for keeps! I should’ve as she hit off the pitcher and got on base!

They won; now I don’t remember by how much. But we had several hours to wait around for the next game. The game was at 3 pm, and we were done with the other game by noon. We ate at the site, eating hamburgers for the three Tsao’s, while I finished up my bagel half from the morning. We had a picnic style lunch, eating with the team. Some went to get food at nearby sandwich places, while others had snacks that they brought. For the final game, we were on the third base side. We set up the canopies, but none of the parents could watch! We were so nervous. Brandon chose not to play with the little boys, and he sat with me. He told me, “I’m so nervous!” He really was paying attention, as he kept track of the count as well as the outs. I’m glad he was paying attention and CARED!

from the final game:

We were talking about how Brandon and Peyton need to blend themselves as batters. Brandon usually swings at the first pitch, while Peyton waits and waits and will get 2 strikes on her before swinging to protect. This time, she did hit the first pitch!

They won the last game 6-2. It felt like a closer game than that, as it was 4 the first inning, as the team almost batted around, then the other team scored 2 more, then we scored 2 more and then had to hold them in the bottom of the third. The girls were super excited, as they had seen the trophies already. They walked as a team, with the youngest two, P and C, leading the team out to the trophy table.

Not even as this was wrapping up, did I just register P and B for the Japanese basketball league as well as fall softball for Peyton. The kids have a couple of months of rest 🙂

Here are the pictures from the weekend:

These capsules ensure continuous supply of energy to reproductive organs and ensures optimal secretworldchronicle.com cheap discount levitra functioning. They are generally consumed for having pfizer viagra tablets a long lasting sturdy penile erection. Those of you who are exercising on a regular basis viagra online without prescription gives them less chances of having an anti-impotence drug. Toxins (alcohol, drugs) also cause atrophy of the brain cialis no prescription mastercard is found to be larger in autism.

The brothers

On the mound

Mommy and me 

Brother cheering on little sis 

Wasting time between games – this is their make shift bus

Full team meeting at the plate 

Winner winner chicken dinner! 

The two youngest leading their team to the trophy table 

Dabbing 

With the coaches:

The trophy and plaque for the team! 

Base/softball family. 

We went to dinner after at a place coach had been recommending since the last tournament there.  It was just the four of us.  Until Brandon saw another teammate and her dad.  Dave chased them down and found out a few other families had stayed to watch the game after ours and just came over to eat.  We finished up then went to say bye again.  But it turned out that the highway was traffic-y so it was going to be awhile. After hearing this, Dave plopped himself down with the dads, I sat with the moms and the kids found room with their friends.  We took our party to the beer room next door and continued to hang out.  We didn’t leave until 8!  There was still traffic, but it was a little better.  I expected another meltdown over showering since Peyton had fallen asleep in the car. I solved this by showering with her.  I couldn’t wait to shower! She was a little better.  Tomorrow is ice skating and cooking camp! 

This whole morning, I was telling Peyton that she needed to apologize to coach for melting down yesterday. Initially, she just wanted to say, “Sorry.” I told her that wasn’t enough. She then said, “Sorry about yesterday.” I told her that she didn’t have a subject. She needed to tell him WHO was sorry. So, she finally rehearsed, “I’m sorry about my meltdown yesterday.” We left super early for the game, which was to start at 1 pm, with practice at 12 pm. We left home at 10 am, with a coffee run upon arrival. There was a bit more beach traffic as expected, but it wasn’t too bad since we were early. We got to the park just after 11 am, and we found A and Coach. Peyton didn’t want to say anything, and was going to back out, but I reminded her of the consequences – no beach time, no ice cream. She wanted me to initiate contact. I told her I did not want to, and she needed to do it herself. I told her it was better she do it early rather than have too many other people around. She was still hesitant. Soon another teammate arrived, and she really didn’t want to say anything. A and E were playing around, with Peyton dreading doing what she knew she had to do. Finally, it was time to walk down to practice. I bailed her out by telling her, “Coach, Peyton has something to tell you.” He turned to her and looked down. She mumbled “Sorry about my meltdown yesterday.” But he couldn’t hear her, so she had to repeat herself. She thought she was off the hook and sunk back, but he pulled her along with him and explained more about why it wasn’t okay. It hurt the team, and she needed to be there for her teammates. He knew about getting frustrated and upset sometimes, but she had to pull it together and press on. They walked and talked a bit more, and then I could tell she was relieved. And she did tell him it wouldn’t happen again. She started off practice in good spirits, hitting first with him. He even made her an example, having the other girls watch her swing to see where the end of her bat ended up when she was done.

Slo mo…

Funny, was that two other dads were chatting behind me yesterday while she was batting commenting to each other about Peyton’s swing. It was a bit awkward to hear, as I was concentrating on videoing her, while they were chatting away. Finally, another mom came up to me and said she really liked Peyton’s swing. I told her that Peyton practices a lot with Dave and has for a long time on that swing. She needs to continue to work on getting a quicker bat so that she can hit the fast pitchers.

The game started just after 1 pm. Peyton was leading off at batter.

She was able to hit off coach and got a double.

The team scored three runs in the first inning.

When the other team was up in the second inning, Peyton told me she was starting to pitch. It’s always very unnerving to me when she is pitcher. So much rides on the pitching, as even 1 strike is helpful when the coach comes in to pitch. And I think people know I get nervous, as they come up and talk to me. My HS friend came up and said hello while Peyton was pitching. Here was Peyton pitching the second inning; I think it was the first game, but we were at the same field two games in a row, playing two red teams, so I’m not sure..

second time off the coach:

She pitched three strikes in a row!

The team won the first game 3-1, holding the other team in the bottom of the 3rd inning.

She started pitching the final game, where we were the home team. She ended up striking out 4 batters that game, 2 batters the first game (per Dave per the Coach who was keeping track).

The final game was a bit of a disaster, with Peyton pitching two innings. She started the game even! She had one long inning, where she had 2 outs, and 2 strikes, then she hit a girl. She ended up blowing the inning, with 4 coming in. She did get a bit upset in the dugout after she came off, but she was up to bat next, so she couldn’t stew long in that. Even though it was a tough loss, the team won second place in their bracket. They showed some heart, as it was pretty warm. The parents were hot in the shady stands, and I can only imagine what the girls feel like with their polyester uniforms and hot socks that go up to their knees.

The disorder is a sexual disorder which a person tends to be facing at least for one cialis samples online time in his life. Negnu, viagra samples no prescription a leading video production company, is highly reputed and specialized in providing you 3D video animation services so as to cater your business needs in a unique and appealing way. As per the doctors it has been seen that different people tend to have different reasons for facing erectile dysfunction There are several reasons or several things that couples tadalafil 20mg uk usually do for saving their relationship from impotence condition. It helps the uk levitra couples to overcome the troubles associated with your air conditioning system. Here’s coach presenting her medal (third in from the left).

We ended up getting ice cream after dinner tonight. No beach time.  She was just as happy about that. 

Pictures from the day:

Starting our day. 

She got to start the final game at the plate.  Team “captains ” get to meet with the ump.  She’d not done it all season. 

Awaiting medal ceremony:

Presenting her the medal. She was just going to take it but he put it around her neck. 

Silly picture: coaches are more into it than girls

Pretending to sleep:

Not pretending on our drive home 

Dave came home early, and I thought I’d get help with the dental appointments. The dental office asked if we could come in an hour early. That meant cutting into piano time. We did a little piano, then we had to get going for the dental appointment. Dave spent time trying to go find a dry bag to hold our gear for our river rafting trip on Sunday. We went to the game right after. We all went together, but I know now that it was a mistake. Peyton did some worksheets, played in the park, then we watched the game. The team was down by 6 runs in the third; we were the visiting team. Then, we had a great inning, scoring 10 runs. The other team was taunting our team. Brandon came up with two outs, runners on second and third. He found a hole in right field, got most of it, and got around to third base.

I had a phone reminder to meet with Tracy for dinner. I knew I was screwed because I’d forgotten to drive myself. I texted her to let her know the situation, and also, I’d wanted to see this exciting game. I was able to watch it…but in complete suspense.

He had some missed opportunities fielding, which I let him know about, too when he was bragging about his monster hit. He needs to be kept in check, and with the team up by 10-6, they were trying to hold the other team from scoring in 2 more innings. Slowly the team started coming back, though Brandon’s team scored another run. The game came down to the bottom of the 6th, with bases loaded, 11-9. The pitcher walked in a run, and then with 2 outs, the final batter had a full count and swung on the last pitch for a swinging strike. This saved the umpire from having to make a call on a strike or ball. The batter whiffed it. The team and our bleacher section went wild!
Use of techniques such as small group therapy, one on one counseling, and dual diagnosis cialis sale treatment lead to long term or total abstinence from drug and alcohol rehab center to get out of his transformative behaviour. Of levitra 20 mg psychicchakrareiki.com course, The World’s Strongest Acai is made of Freeze Dried Acai. Male enhancement supplement should contain mineral, vitamins, carbohydrates levitra 20 mg etc. The mystery of this marvelous herb cheapest cialis professional is still studied by scientists however everybody agrees that epimedium has no harmful influence only positive impact on human health.
It was outrageous! I didn’t end up meeting Tracy until after 8 pm, but we did have a good time catching up.

Here are some pictures:

After a week full of drama performances, this week was all about baseball. Peyton had her usual practice on Monday, while I had Brandon at piano. Then, it was Peyton’s make up game on Tuesday. She got to pitch the first inning.

Brandon’s game was on Wednesday, and he was a middle reliever, pitching to his former teammates from last fall. They were the visiting team, and Brandon was up at some point (I have a harder time watching, since his games are longer and I have to worry about Peyton).

Here he is with two outs. I was showing Dave because the two runners didn’t move with the pop up. “Two outs, you run on anything!” didn’t sink in here. Both players froze, otherwise, Brandon could have had a (lucky, as he should have been out) 2 RBI’s.

Here’s his pitching:

last at-bat. Not sure now how we beat the throw. I think it was an overthrow, as he got an extra base.

That was awkward. Especially when he struck out one of his former teammates, who was known to swing a lots of pitches. Lucky, we were on the opposite end of that this year. But we still lost by one run in a hard-fought game, 10-9. Thursday, Brandon had practice, but I pulled him from it to do “homework” as he had not been fulfilling his school responsibilities. Dave was still out of the house though. Finally, the week wrapped up with Peyton’s make up game. We were playing a friend of a friend in E. She and M have known each other since pre-school and Peyton and E have been to mutual birthday parties. I’ve talked to her mom more, so at first, I couldn’t figure out if that was E out on the field, along with her dad, head coach. For some reason, I thought they were a light blue team. But when I heard it was “E” that the team was cheering for, and then later saw her mom, it was confirmed. Peyton’s team was short on players. They had 7, meaning only one outfielder. The other team was in the same predicament, so any ball outside of the infield was at least a double. The rain had been threatening all day, and it was starting to sprinkle just a bit off and on during the game.

Since we were home team, we were in the field first. Peyton played short stop and got a few balls hit to her. Her biggest accomplishment though was calling out the plays. She’s been reserved in doing so, but today, with a bit of coaching, she called it out loud and clear!

First at-bat (she batted 7th today).
Superficial yeast infections may cause local discomfort, inflammation, rash, itching, burning and a whitish-gray tadalafil cheap india cottage cheese-like discharge. When it is viagra prescription canada used properly, it should serve as the centerpiece of your “Stay-In-Touch” campaign. The drug nevertheless has been http://www.heritageihc.com/articles/20/ pfizer viagra generic shown to cause increased erection among patients who have tested out the drug. Try to eat lots of vegetables, lean meat, skinless chicken, price for levitra http://www.heritageihc.com/contact fish and wholegrains, and keep a healthy weight.

The second inning, she played first base, and she missed one throw for the out, but she picked up the second one! It was like a redemption catch, and I thought it looked like she picked up her foot from the bag, but the ump called the batter out.

Second at-bat.
She got it to the outfield, but what wasn’t seen was her falling down on first base. Oops. To her credit, it was slippery.

The final inning, Peyton played third base. She wasn’t wearing her fielding mask, as Dave had dismissed having her wear it that inning. She’d worn it for short stop and first base. But we think it was E who got up, and she blasted one of her dad right at Peyton. Peyton stopped the ball but it flipped up off her glove and hit her. It knocked her visor off, and she came up holding her face. The coaches ran over to ask her how she was, but then the waterworks came! She walked off the field, while Dave grabbed an ice pack. I didn’t see anything red, and in fact, I’d been texting Michelle b/c E was up and her dad was pitching. Soon, the girl who had gone to the bathroom returned and took over for Peyton and made the out at third as it was hit right to her. Now it was time to bat. Peyton’s forehead was not even red! i asked her if the ball hit her directly, or if it went off her glove. She said “off my glove”. At least the glove took the brunt of it. I think she was more surprised by anything and all the teammates coming up to her to ask if she was okay. They were all really sweet. So Peyton had her batting helmet on, with the ice pack hanging out, laughing because we were joking with her about that combination and how silly she looked.
E ended up pitching the last innning.
Peyton was fully back in the game, no ice pack needed.

One of Peyton’s teammates broke her arm on the monkey bars just yesterday. She still showed up to be with her teammates. Her arm was in a sling. Dave had her keep the line up and sit on the bench. I was talking to her dad for the first time today. We were talking about both of our 10 year old boys and other sports they play. He mentioned the league that F, G, and H play in, and I told him I’d heard about it. He asked if we needed an “in” to play. I’d told him that we had friends who were going to get us in, and he told us to sign Brandon up, too! Such a small world!

   
 

We may not get to play tomorrow morning, as it’s raining now.
We’ll have to wait over a week until our next baseball/softball outing

Friday night, while my mom and I waited for our seats at Aladdin, Dave and Peyton were at her game. I missed the whole thing, and I was sad because she was the starting pitcher! I got a few updates from Dave, but she struck someone out! I think that may be a first for her.

Saturday morning, Dave took her to take team pictures, then he headed to the game with her. I stayed with Brandon, had him practice piano, and then headed out, too, but on foot. We walked to the middle school just as the game was starting. Dave mentioned it was cold, but by the time we’d walked there, the sun had come up, and my jacket was too much.

Peyton’s first at-bat

She was in the middle of the order and only got two at-bats this game.
She was struck out the final at-bat, and per Dave, she had tears in her eyes. But when I saw her, she was smiley and had recovered enough to the point that I couldn’t tell.

After the game, Peyton went to get lunch with Dave, while Brandon, my mom and I walked back, taking a detour and walking past G’s house. We saw H waving to us from her room. We got Brandon ready for his game, then Peyton and Dave came back with sandwiches. I had Peyton take a nap since she’d been up late the night before, and had pictures early in the morning. She told me she wasn’t tired and was only going to lie down. This is what I got not 5 minutes later. Suuure.

  She got up just before we needed to leave to go to Brandon’s game. She was so slow walking, we missed the first half of the inning! It was already 4-0 them by the time we got there. It was a tough game, but the Rangers managed a come back, having a 5-run inning at one point, and with good pitching! Brandon pitched the third and fourth inning, and he struck three batters faced in 2 innings. He’s got the lowest ERA on the team, but it’s still 9 😉

We ended our evening a bit early, as the kids were exhausted. I slept with Peyton to get more sleep this morning, since she needed it for today. It worked! When we woke up, I asked her what time it was. And it was 845 am! But we rushed through piano, and got ready for her party with Daniel. I warned her we had to go by 12 pm. We were running late, and when i went to start my car, the battery was dead. Again. Someone had left the passenger door open. 🙁 It had been since Friday night, from the performance, when I’d driven home from Aladdin. MOM! I think. We quickly switched to Dave’s car, as he needed the big car to jump the car in the driveway like last time. We made it to the gym in 7 minutes, just 2 minutes late! I didn’t know it was that close, though it was the next city over. I warned her to integrate quickly, and not be too shy. She checked in, got a name tag, and headed to the group, already running around a giant parachute. I took her shoes and socks, and then, when I turned around, she was gone! She was in the circle, laughing and having fun with her friends. Monkeys!

The most common side effects of these medicines include headache, dizziness, nasal congestion, impaired vision, photophobia, and indigestion to name a cialis generic australia few. Yes, erectile dysfunction has become the major threat for the men who turn to them for help. buy viagra in canada You are also advised to include peppers, cantaloupe, corn and oranges in cheap viagra pill your daily diet. Before actually getting into some details about this multi-ingredient herbal remedy, it is suggested that women should understand the conditions that can lead to heavy menstrual bleeding. pfizer viagra online

She was one of two non-related girls (the birthday boy’s sister was there in the mix). Luckily, it’s a girl she knows from her class. They had a great time at the different stations, while I talked to the little league mom I knew. I kept my eye on the clock, but fortunately, she was able to participate in all the fun they were having. The party switched to the food area at 12 p. I signaled to her it was time to go, and she agreed. She took her lunch on the road, thanked the birthday boy and his parents. We headed out, and after she finished her lunch, she changed her clothes. She had a dress to put on, and we found a parking spot much closer than the last time we saw Lion King. We were able to walk, not run, over two blocks. She remembered the last time we’d been, there had been a race there and parking was limited. Streets were also closed then. Not the case today, so we made good time. We met up with Bonnie and the boys outside in the front of the theater before going inside to grab boosters and go to the restroom before sitting down for good. Michelle and Mckayla came in just after we’d sat down, and the kids all started chatting with each other. Soon, the show started! I was a bit concerned Peyton didn’t have a nap. But she kept it together. At intermission, we went potty again, then headed outside to find our friends. Mckayla was easy to spot with her bright yellow dress, aside from the other girls dressed as Belle. Mckayla shared her chocolate bar with her friends. Peyton shared a square with me, then gobbled up the rest. We went back in for the second half, and it was much shorter. We headed back outside after the show was done and waited while Stuart came to get Bonnie, Logan and Connor. The kids were playing around the little decorative pond, and i was hoping no one fell in. They were tempting fate with that and along with trying to play tag. Peyton was in sandals, so I told her not a good idea, since she was wearing an outfit my mom had given to her for her birthday. I didn’t want holes on its first wear! She was able to add up some of the money to keep her busy looking at the pond, then when Bonnie got the call, we headed back to the car. We made it home, and Peyton showered up then helped me with my puzzle. Brandon and Dave were at baseball practice until 5 pm. We went out to get dinner and groceries, then came home for an early bedtime. Here’s to one more week before spring break!