Smurfettes!

We were busy with dance this spring but Marlie really wanted to play softball too.  So we signed up and managed to make it to most of the events. I was not excited about the craziness this would add to our schedule but in the end I'm so glad we did it.  Marlie had so much fun! 

We missed tryouts but we told them that Marlie and her friend Kate were cousins so we needed them to be on the same team for carpool purposes.  At the end of the day, as long as Kate was on her team she was happy! Kate lives in our neighborhood and the girls have played soccer together for the past few years.  Kate is also in Marlie's class and has an older brother who is as in love with baseball as Matt is. The boys were always there to cheer them on or maybe I should say...add in their 2 cents on coaching strategy.  So I think they had fun too. Introducing #3 and #4 of the Smurfettes...

The other girls on the team had played together for a couple of seasons but Marlie and Kate both turned out to be really good adds! Marlie only struck out once - her very first time at bat - and then hit the ball every time.  Once she popped it up to the pitcher and with a little bit of luck, the pitcher caught it.  Marlie was so upset and couldn't understand why she was out.  At some point while crying she said that it was "illegal" and I had to laugh. 

The girls won their first 6 games and were crazy excited.  They were all hitting well and Marlie did great in the field!  She primarily played shortstop but played some third base and second too.  She made a couple of outs every game. She was so fast...a few times she'd run girls down and tag them out.  The Smurfettes then lost a few games and somehow ended up in 3rd place for the year.  But they didn't care...they were very excited about their 3rd place trophies!

But guess who won the end of season tournament? We did! It was a lot of fun.  Some of the games along the way were really close but we made it to the championship game.  Both of our coaches were out so Kate's Dad, Jason pitched and Daddy coached third.  The "fill in" coaches did a great job with the girls and the girls played SO well!  They couldn't have been more excited and they truly deserved the win. 

Marlie we are so proud of you.  For not playing often or even getting to practice much, you did amazing!  I'm so glad you had so much fun along the way.  Thank you to Dad for taking her to her practices and helping her.  And thank you to Matt too for coaching her in the backyard at home!