State Champs!

I have to take a bit to brag about Andrew today.  It’s my blog and I’m allowed to brag about my kid.  Plus, I want this to be part of his memories.  One day when he’s old and he wants to swap “war” stories about awesome things he’s done- this one is going down in the books. 

I’ve talked about how Andrew’s playing baseball this summer.  He was lucky enough to be chosen to play for our rec league’s 7u All Star team.   He loves this part of baseball.  He loves palling around with the boys.  He loves playing the games.  He loves practice.  He doesn’t hate the practices where they run bases almost the whole time.  He doesn’t hate the tournaments when they play 3 games back to back.  He just loves baseball and being part of a team.   

Tonight his team won the Western North Carolina State Tournament for his age division. 

Talk about a proud parent moment.  I mean, to be part of a state winning team?!  Not everyone can claim that.  I certainly can’t. 

Not only was he part of the team, but he had some plays that were integral parts of the win.  For the record- so did all of the players.  But I’m not gonna talk about how many outs our shortstop, pitcher, and 3rd baseman made, how many fly balls the left center caught,  or how many runs the #5, #6, & #7 hitters batted in.  I’m just talking about my son who plays right field and bats in the #6 slot. 

This was a great game.  We have played the other team several times throughout All Star season and it’s always such a close game.  We always play each other close and man, tonight was no different.  Let me set the stage for you.   This has been a super long tournament because of all the rain. A tournament that should have lasted 5 days has lasted 10 days.  The boys are tired from not being at home and out of their routines.  We’ve been out of our homes, laying out of work, driving back and forth and we are just ready to stinking get this tournament over with!!!

It was a best out of 3 series for the Western North Carolina Babe Ruth State title.  We were playing a team located 10 miles away from our home.  The other team went into this series undefeated in the State tournament and we went into the series undefeated for the entire All Star season.  We had beat the other team to win our region, 2 weeks ago in the Area Tournament.  Last night, we played the first game of the “World Series” tournament.  It was back and forth the whole time, they ended up beating us 13-10 in extra innings (We didn’t finish that game until 10:20pm).   We had to finish the series tonight.

Of course, when we got there tonight- the game was delayed due to rain.  (the story of this tournament).   In order for us to win this tournament and the exclusive title of Western NC State Champs- we had to win both games tonight.  The first game- we won.  We didn’t beat the pants off of them, but we lead the whole game.  The second game is where the real excitement was. 

We were “home” in the second game, so we batted at the end of the inning.  After the first inning, we were tied 0-0.  After the second inning we were down 0-1. In the third inning, there are runners on 2nd and 3rd and two outs.  We were still down 0-1.  Kid comes up, hits a fly ball  . . . to right field.  Andrew catches the ball!!!!!!!!!!!!  He catches the ball!!!!!  I was freaking out.  I was soooo excited for him and of him.  What was Doug?  Clueless.  He couldn’t see the catch- one of the coaches stood in his way.  He assumed someone on the right side of the field caught it- he didn’t know it was his kid who caught it.  I saw it.  I saw the whole thing. 

We didn’t score in the third inning either.  Man we were sweating bullets.  At the bottom of the 4th inning it’s still 0-1.  But this is the last time it’ll be that score.   Our #3 hitter, hit a single.  Our #4 hit a sacrifice to move  #3 to 2nd base.  We have one out.  Our #5 hitter knocked  the tying run in.  Then comes the #6 hitter.  (that would be Andrew.) He hits a double!!!! Drives in the go- ahead run and slides safely into second!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We’re ahead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Then the #8 hitter drove Andrew and the #7  hitter in.  Now it’s 4-1. 
Ultimately we won the game 8-4. 


Could not have been a better game.   It was well played by both sides.  It was full of drama and excitement.  It was so fun to watch and be part of.  I’ll remember watching that ball sail into Andrew’s glove for a long time.   I hope he does too.   It’s one of the reasons why- I love Little League.  I’m glad I got to watch a really positive memory being made for so many boys tonight.  Go Bombers!!!!

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