Ellie Southern CA State Softball Tournament

 

I mentioned in my previous post how Ellie's softball team placed well enough in Districts to advance to the Southern CA State Softball tournament in lovely Lancaster CA. So over a long weekend (July 9 - 11) we made the trek with the team to Lancaster where it averages about 110 degrees in July. 

To play 5 games in that heat over the course of 2-days is no joke. We kept the girls hydrated and bought each girl cooling towels and a couple team misters for the dugout. When we weren't playing ball we were running amok at the Hilton Garden Inn.

The girls did great and out of 34 10U Gold teams from SoCal in the tournament we placed 10th. 

Game 1 (Friday): beat El Segundo 3 to 2 

Game 2 (Friday): lost to Santee 0 to 12 

Game 3 (Saturday): beat San Marcos 5 to 3 

Game 4 (Saturday): beat La Costa 6 to 5 

Game 5 (Saturday): lost to Carlsbad 0 to 7 

By the end of that last game on Saturday evening many of the girls, including Ellie, were emotional wrecks. A lot of heat and pressure will do that to you. Ellie played well throughout the tournament making some key plays and getting some timely hits. I was proud of her.

Unfortunately I didn't get many pics of Ellie playing ball but there was a ceremony Friday night where each team in the tournament was recognized in a parade. Across all age division there were something like 110 teams. It is tradition for each teams to dress-up in costume. I got in the action by dyeing my beard "teal" in honor of our motto (and team colors) "Deal with the Teal". After the parade and each team was recognized the girls got to trade their league pins with other girls from other leagues which created a great memory for Ellie.

And that ends a very intense 8 weeks of softball with Ellie's team. I really enjoyed being part of the coaching staff. Overall, they won 13 games and lost 12. It also closes the chapter on Ellie's 10U softball career. She moves up an age division,  to 12U, starting in the Fall. 

Ellie 10U Gold Allstars

 

 Ellie has also been playing a LOT of ball with her team, the Lightning. Ellie anchors our middle infield at shortstop and bats second. I am one of the coaches and it has been a blast to watch these girls, many of whom have been playing together for 3+ years now, develop into a pretty decent team.

Up to bat at Bill Barber Stadium in Irvine.

 

 

 

Playing short

 

 

 

 

A great sequence from the Huntington Beach Surf City Classic Tournament: Ellie hit a grand slam complete with a dramatic slide at home vs Capo. We ended up placing first in this tournament (beating Capo 10 to 0 ; Tustin 4 to 3 ; and Laguna Niguel 3 to 0 - all in a LONG day)! Made even better because Mom and Dad where in town to watch the games. 

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrating with some hardware after a hard days work!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The girls getting pumped-up before game time in Irvine tournament!  

 

 

 

 

Post game chat about what we did well and not so well. 

 

 

Meeting on the mound after Emily had a tough outing in Irvine

 

 

We had our District tournament June 26/27 - Somehow we placed well enough (tied for 5th out of 13 teams) to qualify for States which are in lovely Lancaster July 8/9th. Here is our official team photo after a LONG day at Districts. 

 

 

 

As I mentioned earlier Mom and Dad came out to CA and spent about 1.5 weeks with us and Jeff and Jody mid-June. We had a free evening (not at a ballpark) and went down to Laguna Beach for a nice dinner and walk along the beach.

 
 

 

 Laguna Niguel Seaside Tournament (where we finished 3rd out of 14 teams) that was over Fathers Day weekend.

 

Emily 8U Silver Allstars

 

Since mid-may we have been going hard with the Emily and Ellie's Allstar softball teams which picked up right after the rec. season ended. LOTS of tournaments / games on the weekends and practices during the week for both girls. A frantic schedule.

Emily's team, the Crushers, finished their Allstar season June 19th and 20th (they didn't finish high enough in Districts to move on to Western Nationals).  Emily pitched and played outfield most of the season. She did a great job for being one of the younger kids out there. I helped during practice but wasn't officially part of the coaching staff.

Emily winning player of the game in the Rancho Roundup tournament.

 

Over Memorial Weekend Bob and Jamie were able to come to town for a few days and take in some of the games.