Maddie was an intermediate finalist in St. Marks all school speech competition. She gave her speech in the school gym in front of a panel of teacher judges, the 4th, 5th and 6th grade student body and some parents.
The Life of a Softball
Pick ME! Pick ME! I am a dreamer. I am going to be a player one day. I am going to be part of a team. At practice, I'll practice. At games, I'll play. I smile. Patient. I am confident that today is the day I will be picked. No longer a ball in a box, but a team player I'll be. Put me in coach, I'm ready to play, today. Good Morning parents, staff, students and judges. I am here today to talk to you about the life of a softball.
Today, I am born. I have butterflies! I can't believe it; it is opening day! I am no longer an 11 inch flourescent yellow ball with red stitching made of yarn and mixture of cork and rubber in a box. Softball is the game I will play.
Playball! I stand on the mound and my heart races. The pitchers hand is on my laces. I see the nervous batter standing at home plate. She has no idea that striking out is her fate. The pitcher is getting ready to deliver me. The pitcher winds me up and releases me. I spin, I spurt like a blur past the batter at home plate. There are 2 out and 1 to go, 1 strike left to throw. The pitcher mixes it up. A change up I'll be. The batter swings and misses ME. I hear the ump call STRIKE and that she is OUT! I am back in the pitchers hand; she tosses me on the mound. The team roars and fans cheer. I feel like I am made of gold. My team has victory in sight.
Batter up! From the pitcher's mound, I can see the batter approaching the plate. The next thing I know is the pitcher is winding me up and I'm released. I spin through the air, the wind in my face. I see the sweet spot of the bat. SMACK! The aluminum bat connects with my face. KaBoom. Up I go. I feel like I may go to the moon. I flew like a bird over the 3rd baseman's head. I can see the left fielder running toward me. Will see catch ME or will she miss ME...? Unfortunately, I am not caught. I fall to the ground and land softly in the fresh cut grass.
"Throw it in, throw it to the 3rd baseman." I could hear the coach yelling to the leftfielder. I knew she was getting closer to me becausee I could hear her quick footsteps. The leftfielder picked me up and threw me. I flew through the air like a rocket. All of a sudden, I landed in the 3rd baseman's thick, leather glove and felt snug as a bug in a rug. "You're OUT", the umpire yelled. I could hear him clearly, and so did the crowd. The fans in the stands clapped and cheered with all their might. I heard my coach above the crowd..."Way to go! I knew you could do it!"
As a ball I have experienced hot it feels to be hit, pitches, caught and thrown. I now know I like the wind in my face when I am pitched. I like feeling like I am a bird flying when I'm thrown. Although, I have to say I don't like when the aluminum bat connects with my face when I am hit. I love feeling snug as a bug in rug when I am caught.
I can’t imagine my life without batting practice, ground balls, the pops ups and line drives. Early morning wake up's, double headers and late night games under the lights, weekend tournaments, and all the practices in between. I have learned that practice and preparation win games. I have been a part of some of the greatest moments of my teams softball season. I have won games and felt extreme joy, happiness and delight. I know the pain of agony and defeat. I have discovered the importance of taking a loss as well as a win for it is bad sportsmanship to be a sore loser. Softball is more than just a game it is friendships, teammates, and cooperation that brings out the best in games.
It's been a long season. Bruised and battered... All for the sport of softball. I play it, live it , love it! Softball is my sport, my game, my life!
We took a 30 minute cab ride over to the french side of St. Maarten to Christianstead. He we spent the day at Orient Beach. Orient Beach is clothing optional. A-mac was glad to see the men stayed covered, but was grossed out by old men who chose to wear thong speedos MacDaddy didn't understand why many of the women went topless? 9 year boys don't like naked boobies!
Plus the boobs we saw were out of National Geographic and not Playboy! 
I caught a stomach bug Wednesday night, but had important meetings on Thursday and Friday for work so had to fight through it. We left for Cleveland after my Friday meeting. About 100 miles outside of Cleveland, MacDaddy "barfed" in the back seat, while driving through a construction area, of course!
Winter in Toronto this year has been cold, but lacking in snowfall. If it is going to be cold you might as well have snow on the ground! It is now the end of February and we finally got our first substantial snow fall...a whole 4 inches, if that. It was; however, wet packing snow--great for snowballs and snowmen. Lil' Lefty and MacDaddy headed for the snow the minute we stepped out of the car after Lil' Lefty's first playoff hockey game. OH... Lil'Lefty's team won 3-0. 
The kid's snowmen will have to wait for finishing touches of eyes, nose and mouth until tomorrow. Time for showers and bed.
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