Nathan talked to the coach on the phone for a while and agreed to let Cole play. Towards the end of their conversation the coach told him that their goal would be to make it to Sunday because Nathan would be done with radiation and could come see them play. That was so nice of him to say...Especially since we'd never met him before.
After taking Cole to a scrimmage that Thursday and a quick practice on Friday, this team's chances of winning enough games to make it Sunday play were looking pretty slim.
Saturday started off with an early morning game. Yep, we were all tired.
I don't know what happened but, it seemed like a totally different bunch of kids showed up to play. Cole didn't hit all that well but, the rest of the team did great. I was shocked and, they won their first two games...Sweet!We broke for lunch and headed back for more baseball. Cole suddenly came alive and got several hits in the third game to help the team win. He struggled early on with the different weight of the travel ball big barrel bats and the speed of the pitcher but, then something just clicked. Must have been the Taco Bell.
After they won the third game the head coach starting saying "Cole?! Where's Cole?" He grabbed Cole in excitement and said, "Guess what?! Now your daddy gets to come watch you play tomorrow!" The coach was just as happy about it as we were. That was so awesome! Oh my lanta...Talk about holding back the tears.
After they won the third game the head coach starting saying "Cole?! Where's Cole?" He grabbed Cole in excitement and said, "Guess what?! Now your daddy gets to come watch you play tomorrow!" The coach was just as happy about it as we were. That was so awesome! Oh my lanta...Talk about holding back the tears.
It absolutely killed Nathan not being able to be there. Cole really could have used his daddy but, I did the best I could and all the coaches rallied around him. It was good for me and the kids because it kept us out of the house a lot but, Brooke was beyond disgusted at all the baseball games and having to sit in sheer boredom in the blazing sun for hours on end.
So, by winning all of their games on Saturday Nathan was able to watch the Sunday games. He was just as pumped about it as Cole was. What was even better was that Cole did awesome in front of his daddy. He got lots of hits and did great on fielding...Even caught his first pop fly ever! All of the coaches went nuts when he caught it. He almost caught two but he didn't squeeze his glove hard enough on the first one. That's why I think everyone was so shocked when he caught the second one. We were soooo proud!
So, by winning all of their games on Saturday Nathan was able to watch the Sunday games. He was just as pumped about it as Cole was. What was even better was that Cole did awesome in front of his daddy. He got lots of hits and did great on fielding...Even caught his first pop fly ever! All of the coaches went nuts when he caught it. He almost caught two but he didn't squeeze his glove hard enough on the first one. That's why I think everyone was so shocked when he caught the second one. We were soooo proud!Of course, I missed videoing that one along with when the ball took a bad hop and hit him right under the eye. Talk about scary...He instantly fell to the ground and just laid there. I was so nervous but, it made me feel so good that all four coaches sprinted to the outfield to check on him. I made Nathan run out there, too. It took a few minutes but, he finally jumped up and refused to come out of the game.
The Hornets somehow made it to the championship game. They were playing at a super nice complex that actually had a grounds crew come out and drag the field before the game started. That was really cool to see...For the parents and the kids. That definitely made the kids feel like big leaguers.
The championship game was against a team that we beat the day before. Apparently that team had three players (or their parents I should say) quit the night before so, they brought in three ringers for this game. It really wasn't fair at all but, lots of politics are involved in the travel ball scene so, it is what it is.The kids all played hard but ended up coming in second place. Cole still thought it was pretty cool for his very first tournament and with a completely different team where he didn't know anyone. Nathan and I thought it was pretty cool, too...Good job, son!
I thought the whole tournament experience was pretty fun and exciting...Minus the killer sunburn and the little diva with an attitude. 
Needless to say, Brooke was ecstatic that it was finally all over. At least she was happy in the final game because someone gave her a blue slushee thingy. Whatever works, right?
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