Sault Girls Softball Season Ends

As disappointed as I was with soccer, I was very impressed with Lily's softball league. They really stressed fun and learning the fundamentals of the game. Even during the games, there was constant instruction and encouragement. Like soccer, though, I wasn't able to put an entry on every game, but, like soccer, I was at every game and got some good pics. She did a great job this season, and really learned a lot. She hit the ball well, and got better as the season went on (that's what's supposed to happen, right?). She really liked playing catcher, and her coaches let her play their a lot. She also played some infield, but mostly outfield when she wasn't behind the plate. The coaches are the some of the high school players, and they really have a good rapport with the players. She already stated she wants to play again next season. That's my girl!!!

Play Ball, Lily

Lily is getting in on the action, too, starting her games this week. She's playing for Elk's Lodge, and is sporting #6 on her back this season. She's played various positions, such as first base, catcher, outfield, and even second base like her old man, here. She seems to be having a lot of fun and is hitting the ball very well. I think the coaches keep score, but it's really not important and don't even tell the players. Coaching goes on all through the game, is skill development and fun are stressed. I like this softball league that she's in now. Little League was great for her, but it was time she played in a league with all girls, and the coaches are high school players. No game on Monday due to the 4th, but a practice for her on Wed.

First Week Of Softball

Lily kicked off her official softball career last week with some practice. This is the travel team, which is separate from Little League she has been playing the last few years. I am really impressed with the practices, as they stress fundamentals and team unity. It might take her a couple of weeks to get back into it, but then I'm sure she'll be fine and have a lot of fun.

Happy Camper

Over the weekend Lily participated in the LSSU Lakers winter softball camp. Unlike the hitting clinics before Thanksgiving, she was able to work on her catching and throwing as well. The coaches wanted her to attend the pitching camp also, but she hasn't shown interest in that yet. I still hope she sticks with softball and gives it a shot this spring. Also this weekend, the kids attended a 'lock in' at the college, where they were able to participate in games, sports, and activities hosted by the college kids. They had a great time over the weekend. Always good when they keep busy.

Lily Keeps Swinging Away

Lily has been keeping up on her Laker softball hitting clinics the last few weeks. She is a big hit, and very well liked by the girls on the team. She seems to be having a lot of fun and is showing a lot of improvement. The girls do a good job of encouraging her, and I hope that she decides to play this next summer. The high school coach as also talked to me about her, and wants her to play maybe on a travelling team along with Little League. The decision is up to Lily, but she has so much fun and is doing so well I'd like to see her continue and see how far she can go. Trevor and Brian come, too, and like to play around in the gym while waiting for Lily. They like to play on the mats and Brian likes to play some ball as well. I keep taking the pics with my new camera phone, which is why they're so bad. I'll be getting a new camera soon, hopefully so they'll get better.

Lily Learns From Lakers

Lily started her softball clinics at Lake Superior State this week. The clinics are on Thursdays for only an hour, but Lily is having fun and learning a lot. The new head coach actually called the house and asked if she wanted to attend the clinics. Nice to see she's already getting collegiate attention. We'll be doing this until the week before Thanksgiving. I'm hoping to get some better picks in the coming weeks, too. Go Lily!!

Laker Softball Banquet

The kids and I attended this years annual softball banquet to help the girls raise money for their trip to Florida. Because of low funding from the school, they need to raise all the money they can. Being up here in Sault Ste. Marie, a good portion of their schedule is played in Florida over Spring Break. They usually only have one home series in late April, and even then the weather is too nasty for the kids and I to attend.

Brian was a little stinker this year at the dinner, though, as he's in his terrible two's and loves to throw food all over the place. He definitely didn't disappoint this weekend either. Lily felt good that some of the players recognized her and called her by name. She made quite the impression on them during the softball clinic in December. Trevor seemed a little shy this year, but he usually steals the show at events like this because of his sense of humor. We didn't stay real long because of Brian, but still had a good time and got to eat some good burgers and hot dogs.

Lily Learns from Lady Lakers

Lily had fun today at the Lake Superior State's Winter Softball Clinic. Lily attended all day on Tuesday, having a pizza party for lunch.

The clinic helped the girls with thier throwing, fielding, and hitting. The older girls were able to touch on pitching and base-running.

I was able to watch Lily in the batting cage where she proved her superiority. I was beaming with pride after watching her pound line drives back over the pitcher's head. The above video doesn't really do her justice as to how well she was stroking the ball. She's used to hitting a baseball, so seeing a softball thrown at her must have seemed huge.

We'll be heading back to the college as usual this winter with Trevor in tow, working on some baseball skills and having some fun. They did get to play around for awhile after it was over.