Phoebe Games 3 & 4

**GUEST BLOGGER**

 ~ Eric Hendrickson ~

Game #3 - Tuesday, May 22nd, 2018, 6pm - Against Haysville team 1

We played Haysville #1 tonight.  This was a team that was undefeated last year, but they did have two ties to us.

We were able to have pregame hitting, fielding, and pop flys.

Phoebe played 2nd, 1st, and right center.  She had one hit to her in the outfield.

Phoebe got back on track with hitting.  She had a hard hit to right field and one to left field.  She went two for two.

The game was called after 4 innings due to time.  We won 6-5.

I had a slight issue with the ump on a few calls that I let him know about during the game.  He came to me afterwards (nicely) and I apologized.  I get to caught up in these games, but its fun and rewarding.

Good job Phoebe and Team Lightning with the 3-0 start to the year.

Game #4 - Thursday, May 24th, 2018, 6pm - Against Haysville team 3

Tonight we played another Haysville team.  3 of our first 4 games have been against Haysville teams.

This was the first night playing with a new spring and guides on the machine.  The machine is throwing much better and our girls came out hitting the ball.

We had our first 5 run inning of the season.

We played well and the other team did not.  We won 7 to 0

Super fans Phoebe's 2nd grade teacher, Uncle Eric, Aunt Lindsee, Cousin Will, Popee, and Nanee watched the game.

Sarah Games 1, 2, 3, & 4

**GUEST BLOGGER**

 ~ Eric Hendrickson ~ 

Game #1 - Thursday, May 17th, 6pm - Against Oxford

Hannah started out the evening pitching for the Diamonds.  Sarah was at shortstop.

I was able to stay for 45 minutes of the Sarah's game before heading over to coach Tball for Silas's team (Silas wasn't there because he had preschool graduation).  Then, after the Tball game, I headed over to coach Phoebe's game.  Busy night at the ball park.

I got Sarah a new composite, red bat for the season.  I really like this bat.  The ball jumps off it.  I can't wait to see Sarah get a hold of one.

Oxford had a very good pitcher.  Sarah had three good swings on her, but struck out at her first at bat.

She got walked at her next at bat.

When I left in the 3rd inning, it was 8-0 Oxford and wasn't looking very promising.

Sarah started at shortstop and came in as a relief pitcher.  I wasn't able to see her pitch for the first time, which saddens me.  (But, Popee was there cheering her on and texting out some updates as her game continued.)  I was thrilled to hear that she pitched well.  She struck out 4 girls and only walked 2.  Great job Sarah!

You can see Sarah is wearing a face shield/guard.  Very smart.  We wish she had a wrist shield.  She took a hard line drive off her left wrist.  I hope it is ok.

Sarah had some walks and our team came back.  We fell short though in a 9-13 loss.  I believe it was a good first game.

Above, some of Sarah's best friends from school are on her team this year, left to right, Lauren, Brooke, Sarah (ice on her wrist), and Hannah.

It was a busy night for the kids and us, that Popee and Nanee got to enjoy.

TEAM PICTURE NIGHT

Top row, left to right, Coach Wade, Allannah, Quin, Coach Ted, and Maddi.  Middle row, left to right, Lauren, Brooke, and Josie.  Bottom row, left to right, Hannah, Kylie, Makayla, and Morgan.

Game #2 -  Monday, May 21st, 2018, 6pm - Against Winfield

I had no Tball or Machine Pitch games to coach tonight, so I was able to watch all of Sarah's game.  I admit I am not a good fan, that is why I prefer to coach.  After the game, I went and thanked the umpires for putting up with fans like me.

Quinn pitched very well tonight.  Sarah played shortstop and threw one girl out on a ground ball.

Nice looking swing, just wish Sarah would have made contact.  I wish someone would have made contact.  Winfield had a good, fast pitcher. 

We were able to get a few runs by getting walks but no hits.  While it is on my mind, I want to say how much I dislike the dropped third strike rule where the runner can advance to first if the catcher doesn't catch a third strike pitch.  We probably give the team an extra inning of outs every game from this.  On the flip side, we forget to run to first on dropped third strikes.  I will get off my soupbox.  We lost 8 - 3.

Game #3 - Tuesday, May 22nd, 2018, 6pm - Against Derby team 1

I had to coach Phoebe and Silas's games so I missed Sarah's game.  Therefore, I will write what I can looking at the photos and from what was told me by Stacee about this game.

 Sarah was up to bat twice in this game and walked both times.  She stole her way around the bases and scored two runs for her team.  I was told the pitchers for the other team were not the best.  Sarah tends to drop her elbow when the pitch is slow.

Sarah started the game playing shortstop.

Cute smile.  I would sure like to see that new bat getting some action.

 Sarah came in and relieved Makayla after two and a half innings.  Sarah struck out 3 girls in the inning and a half that she pitched to finish out the game.

I missed Sarah pitching again.  I am so happy that she has the confidence to come in as relief and pitch well.  I really need to get her a pitching coach because she has the ability to be a great pitcher.

 We won 15 - 10.

Game #4 - Thursday, May 24th, 2018, 8pm - Against Rose Hill

Sarah played her game at 8pm, and Phoebe's was at 6pm.  This allowed me to watch Sarah's game.  Sarah played shortstop for this game.

The pitcher for Rose Hill was a decent pitcher.

Sarah came up with the bases loaded.  She hit a line drive to right field that scored 3 runs.  Great clutch hit!  Then she was able to score another run by stealing home.

The ump called the game before all the innings were played and the time had not yet elapsed.  I would have been letting the ump know about it, but I was dealing with Silas who had a terrible bloody nose.  We lost 12 to 11

Sarah's 5th grade teacher came to watch the game as did Uncle Eric, Aunt Lindsee, Cousin Will, Popee, and Nanee.  It was a great cheering section.