(Josiah Nelson, pitching in the 5th inning, July 12, 2011, photo by Rod Nelson.)It just seemed like we were all a little nervous going into the game with Sedro. We've seen them play and watched their practices. They have good pitchers, good hitters and a great record. And you know, when the game began, you could see it in the boys! AGGGH - it was a rough few innings until the boys got their heads in the game.
The first few innings, the boys just didn't seem on. They were making simple errors that were costing them... You know how well they can play, it's disappointing to see them do less than their best. We all know, that if they lose this game, that it's a much harder time coming back to win the championship game to go to state. All the boys want to go to state. Of course, it's in Vancouver, WA this year... and as a mom, I'm wondering - if they win... how are we ever going to afford to be able to go to state?? But the team mom in me, wants them to win, win, win!!!
(Josiah taking out the catcher at home plate. He was called out. What a shot though!! July 12, 2011, photo by Rod Nelson.) They plug along until the 6th inning. Score I think was 7 to 4. We bat at the bottom of the 6th - we have to make 3 runs THIS inning or it's all over. You know, something just seemed to come alive in the team when it came down to the wire. The kids were on purpose, they were paying serious attention to the guidance of their coaches... Somehow, all of a sudden it was as if their hearts showed up at the game!
(July 12, 2011, by Rod Nelson)Then, they really began to battle. And it became a real nail biter! We score one. 7 to 5. I think this is when Josiah got to home plate and was called out. We score again. 7 to 6. Then something amazing happens... they get one more guy around the bases and tie up the score! You've never seen parents behave in such an embarassing way in all their lives! We were hooting and hollaring!!! We came from behind and tied up the game! Which means we get ANOTHER at bat! Yah!
(July 12, 2011 by Rod Nelson)Carsten pitches a great seventh inning. Then, it's our turn to bat. One guy gets on. One strikes out. One gets on. Then I realize... that it's my little boys turn to bat! Whoa, Josiah is all I can think - it's your moment to s.h.i.n.e!!! He gets up to bat, and on his first swing - he hits a ground all the way out to the left field outfielder. Two boys ahead of him run in to win the game. We in the stands are louder than ever, surprised, excited... and jumping up and down in the stands. I almost peed my pants! Later, Josiah tells Rod & I - that Coach Hollands told him to swing on the first pitch (if it's a strike) no matter what - or Josiah was going to owe him 10 push ups! Josiah said that was a big motivator (he hates push ups!) Way to motivate him Coach!!!
(Photo of Josiah & Julia with Josiah's game ball, July 12, 2011, by Zindra Nelson.)Game score 8-7, SSLL wins.
Game states via Gamechanger HERE.
So, after watching three All Stars games, I have decided that I'm ready to make an announcement. I officially believe that I prefer it when the boys win a clean cut game. The nail biters full of adrenaline, stress, worry, hope and then finally victory... I'm just not sure my heart can take any more of those! And I'm sticking to it!
I do have to say, that despite the teams lack of getting their heads into the game early... Josiah was just ON today. The balls out to left field... he caught effortlessly. He caught one in the first and second innings. He pitched a fantastic 5th inning - which really seemed to give the guys some juice and helped change their attitudes. He was hitting, it just seemed like everything Josiah touched was gold tonight! He hit 2 RBIs. He began pitching the 6th inning - and a ball almost hit him, he fell and twisted his ankle (not badly). (They decided to pull him and put in another pitcher. Which means that they can still use Josiah if needed on Thurs!) Then, when the pressure was high, and it was his moment, he stepped up and hit that game winning ball! As you can hear in the video below... Mom and Dad were PROUD! You know, it's great when you see your kid do what you know that they have practiced and are capable to do. That's MY BOY!
One thing that Rod & I have always taught the boys... esp. with baseball. We've really emphasized that it's important that they do their best - that that is what is really important. How the team does in the end is a bonus. As a mom, when all is said & done, it's not so much that we care about how the team does... I care about how you do. How do you play.. Do you play with a good attitude? Do you give it all you've got? Do you play with all of your heart? Are you letting the other guy get to you? Did you make a difference? In the end, in sports, this is what Rod & I want to emphasize with our kids. It's not just did you win or lose it's how you play the game! At least in our family!
(Josiah's winning hit, July 12, 2011, by Rod Nelson.) Click HERE if you'd like to see Josiah's game winning hit. I was taking a camera video when Josiah hit the winning ball. It's a LOUSY video - but you see Josiah hit - and at the end, you see the boys SO excited - that I think it's worth the watch. I had taken the video of him hitting, and then I thought I turned it off (I set it on the bleachers). Well, when I picked it up - it was still recording, so I recorded the excited energy of the boys! What a great moment. (Video by Zindra Nelson)
(July 12, 2011 by Zindra Nelson) What a great night! What a great moment! That's a moment I will not forget in a long, long time! Afterwards, we helped clean up and then met some teammates at Dairy Queen for a celebratory ice cream. Which was a great time to decompress with the other moms & dads & boys from the team!!!
Fun fact #3. Josiah has 4 gameballs from this season! Three during the season and one from today's All Stars game!
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