The Life and Times of Matt, Darcy, Ellie, Emily, and Wyatt: July 2022

Emily 8U Allstars

While Ellie has been rolling with her team I stepped-up to manage Emily's 8U Allstar team, the Black Widows.

The Black Widows have enjoyed success. They placed 2nd place out of 13 teams in their Districts which earned the Widows a berth to Southern Ca. States in Lancaster.

In open tournaments we placed 2nd in the Rancho Round-up tournament and 2nd also in the Irvine tournament. The Widows record was an impressive 17 and 7.

Emily has been pitching, playing outfield and anchoring us at 3rd in the lineup.

Not easy being the coaches kid but Emily really rose to the occasion and just battled all season long. Pitched through some tough games at times but never backed down. Showed a lot of heart and courage out on the field.

2nd place - Rancho Round-up Tournament, May 22

2nd place - Irvine tournament, June 12.

2nd place - Districts (Enders Elementary Garden Grove, June 19)

We placed 2nd on Fathers day so had to take this pic.

While we were playing in the Championship game at Districts Ellie was playing on the field next to us in her Championship game - on Fathers Day to Boot.

Won't soon forget both girls finishing in second place in their District Tournament on Fathers Day.

Team picture with Districts second place plaque (taken in Lancaster at States)

At States in Lancaster we won our first game and then lost 2 games to end our season. I was so proud of our 8U team and the season they had and what they accomplished. Emily was a big part of that success.

Ellie 12U Silver Allstars

Since mid-May both girls have been full tilt with Allstar Softball. It is basically all we have done for the last two months. Practices during the week and multiple games on the weekend.

Ellie's team, the Lightning, has had an impressive run. Over the the July 4th weekend they came in 2nd place (out of 37 teams) in the Southern California State tournament, which is really impressive. Prior to that they placed 2nd (out of 13 teams) in their District tournament.

In the open tournaments leading up to Districts and States they placed 2nd in the Rancho Roundup tournament, 2nd in Placentia Yorba Linda tournament, and 1st place in the Irvine tournament.

They have a 23 and 8 record to date. Ellie has become a bit of a utility player getting time at 3rd, outfield (CF, RF), and occasionally SS.

It has been a joy watching Ellie play.

2nd Place in Rancho Round-up Tournament (May 22)

2nd place in Placentia Yorba Linda Tournament (May 30th)

First place in Irvine tournament (not pictured - sat out due to having Covid - June 12)

2nd place - Districts (Enders Elementary Garden Grove - June 19)

2nd place - Southern CA States (Lancaster CA, July 3)

Nobody can remember the last time a team from Aliso placed 2nd in the State Tournament. Because we placed in the top 6 we get a automatic bid into the Western National Tournament at the end of July in Corona CA!!

April - Early June

Busy busy busy with softball and life the past few months so trying to catch-up, finally. So since my last post here is some of the non-softball comings and goings.

In mid-April we enjoyed a nice Seder dinner with friends from temple in observance of Passover.

We followed that up with some Easter egg hunting

Enjoying some Easter bath bombs

On April 23, Ellie's Girl Scout troop (along with other troops of Orange County) walked in a parade at Angels Stadium before a game. Emily joined them as well. Afterwards we stayed and watched the Saturday night fireworks. For Ellie I think this was her last event as a Girls Scout.

The very next day we were back for a parade with the softball teams of Orange County. Two Angels games / two parades in two days! Darcy was in Sedona with her girls friends this weekend.

The last week of April and Ellie went off to 5th Grad Science camp spending several days with her classmates in the Sierra Nevada mountains East of LA. Science camp is a cap stone to their elementary experience and we were thankful it wasn't canceled due to COVID. Ellie LOVED it.