Softball Tournament

**GUEST BLOGGER**

 ~ Eric Hendrickson ~

There is an entire case of softball trophies displayed at our church with the most recent being from the early 2000s.  A few months back, I was talking to one of the pastor at our church about those trophies and whether we had a softball team.  He said they had just started up one.  I asked if they would be interested in me playing but I had to first make sure it was competitive.  I was told it was competitive and to come play in the next game.  That first game I was blown away at how good this team is.  We have been playing in a church league every Thursday night since and decided to take our talents to the state softball tournament in Hutchinson this past weekend (7/30).

Game One

I had a good start to league my first 6 games but have been struggling the last 4 games.  And, I brought my struggles with me to the tournament.

Above is one of the few times I was on base this tournament.  I only got a few hits and a few walks through the tournament.

Not only have I struggled at the plate, my fielding has been really suspect.

We got to the field around 7:30am for our 8:30am game.  However, the rain postponed the game until 10:30am.  We didn't play very well in the first game but won 5-2.

Game Two

Prior to each game both teams meet at the pitching mound.  We flip a coin to see who is the home team and we pray.

Grant (hitting above), one of our pastors, along with his (2) brothers, Garrett and Gabe, are extremely good players.  Grant tried out for the major leagues this past spring. 

We lost this game 7-4 to a team that likely played for the championship.  We could have beat them but 5 of our (over the fence) homeruns counted as outs.

Game Three

We run ruled this game in 3 innings, winning by 15.

Game Four

Another game another win.

Game Five

Following game 4, Garrett took me aside to work on my swing.  Prior to the tournament I had started lunging for the ball, so for the tournament I tried shifting my wait to the back.  This caused me to start dipping, which leads to popups.  A few slight changes and I was making good contact.  I have always been a pull hitter.  With these minor changes, my first at bat was a hard hit line drive to left center field for a double.  My next at bat was a fly ball out to center.

Another one of our pastor's, Tyson, pitched every game.  I played third base every game.  I had a lot of hard hits at me this game taking one off the wrist, one off the thumb, and one off the cup.

Brady (blue shirt above) has been on a hot streak and had an incredible tournament.

Eric (above) filled in for our normal left fielder because he was in a wedding.  He made a great play on this ball at a crucial point in the game.

We won another close one.

Game Six

For the 6th game, we played a Wichita team, Central Christian.  They are in our league and we have beat them the four times we have played them this summer.  So, we were feeling pretty confident.

By this time everybody, including the other team, was worn out and hurting.  The game was quite sluggish.

We played them strong but ended up losing by a few runs.  Our tournament was over with a 4th place finish.

To win, would have taken a total of 9 games.  We had the team and talent to win it, but it just wasn't meant to be.

Even though I struggled mightily, I had a memorable time.  Softball has provided a great opportunity for me to spend more time with men from our church.  I hope to regain my confidence as we finish out league.  Thanks guys for the wonderful opportunity to play state softball.