Wacky Blog

Softball Mom

By Lori Brower


I love being a softball mom.  Really, truly love it.  If I include Nick’s tee ball, rec and comp games, I’ve been on the ball fields regularly for over 19 years (hmmm… looks like I’m a geezer softball mom).  Interestingly, I still don’t totally understand coaching strategies and I’m reminded often I don’t know all the rules.  I cannot keep stats, I cannot be depended upon to know the ball count, who is the home team or what the score is and on occasion, I am not aware my own child is playing a different position. I don’t remember how we fared against a team we have played before, nor do I know the lineup.  It takes me an entire season to learn (and remember) the names of a new teammate and her parents.

Both Carly & Kelsey were given an amazing opportunity to play for wonderful coaches and their respective competitive (traveling) teams.  Carly played for Xtreme for 5 years and Kelsey is beginning her 5th year with Bukoos.  Both coaches consistently use positive reinforcement to develop skills and attitude on the field.  Both nurtured their teams into a family and the bonds of friendship are lifelong.  Carly had many former teammates and coaches attend Nick’s funeral; Kelsey’s entire team and coaches attended, as well, bringing her a handmade quilt made of the team’s colors and words of encouragement.  This gesture has had an enormous impact on Kelsey.  The solidarity of love and support helped her cope – she will never forget it.  She keeps her quilt on her bed so comfort is just an arm’s length away.

Kelsey’s seasons are bookended with tournaments in southern Utah kicking off the first one in February and ending with the final tournament in November.  I was so excited for this February, just looking forward to being in the sunshine with my cooler and camera.  Kelsey’s team is promising to be very successful this year and she just earned herself a new bat; combined with the new cleats she got for Christmas, she was pretty excited, too.

So after making the customary batch of Muddy Buddies, packing up several variations of layered clothing and filling up the propane tank for the heater, Lee, Kels and I headed south for a 4.5 hour drive (5 hours  if legally driven).  Games began Friday late afternoon and the Bukoos were in fine form.  They easily won their first game.  The second game was against their rival, TC Thunder – who we lost to in the championship game last November.  TC is a friendly rival – their coach has done a terrific job with his girls and the there is mutual respect on and off the field between our two teams.  (Not always the case – there are some pretty nasty teams out there with nasty coaches and nasty parents).

I will take a moment here to brag loud and proud about Kelsey; she was up to bat with bases load, two outs, scored tied at zero.  She crushed a hit for a stand up double, scoring three runs.  She also played an inning at center field (which I was unaware of until I heard her coach yell when a fly ball screamed towards the outfield, “You got it, Kelsey!” – refer to my 1st paragraph about not knowing…)  I watched as she backpedaled towards the fence, trying to time the catch.  Her back turned towards us and I assumed the ball had gone over the fence or she had dropped it.  We’ll be honest here in admitting that Kelsey is not known for her flat out horizontal effort in catching a fly ball.  But the ball was in her glove; she actually caught it OVER the fence.  As she ran back to the dugout, she exclaimed, “Did you SEE that?  I couldn’t believe the ball was in my glove!  It was a snowcone catch!”  We ultimately lost 3-6.  Not to be deterred as it was a pool game played for seeding purposes.

Bukoos went on to go undefeated through tournament play to the championship game, including another game against TC.  But TC played strong through the losers bracket and sure enough, they made it back to play us for the championship game.  I’d like to give props to all eleven Bukoos – each girl contributed and played extremely well.  Each one had their moment(s) to validate their skill as a solid ball player.  They took the lead and were up 6-0 at the end of the 4th inning.  Then the focus dropped.  Soon it was 6-4.  Coach called a time out, exasperated when he said, “This is TC Thunder! Did you think this was going to be easy?”  A bit of mumbling was expressed until one player said, “Well, no.  But you did say it would be worth it!”  Laughter burst out and Coach knew they would be ok.  They hung in there and won the championship game 6-4.


Unable to say goodbye to each other (competitive ball is now officially on hold during high school softball season, which started on Monday), the whole entourage of players and parents descended upon a local burger and shake place.  The silliness and laughter continued for another hour or so but the need for showers eventually became essential.

So this is what I do know: I know my daughter is learning more than softball skills – she is learning about friendship, integrity and sportsmanship.  I know I have ten adopted daughters that I love dearly and Kelsey has ten adopted sets of parents.  I know umpires have a long  memory so if I am going to say anything, it’d probably better be nice.  I know my bangs will catch on fire if I stand to close when lighting the propane heater.  I know Kelsey had an angel in the outfield (as does she).  I know if you sit by me, you will get some Muddy Buddies.  I know this is why the Wacky charity softball tournament is so important to me. I know I love being a softball mom.

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