Payton’s first year of softball has definitely had some ups and downs. She was hitless through her first three games. She struck out six times. I wish I could say she was facing some super great pitchers, but this is a coach pitch league, and I am the team’s pitcher. Yeah, I am just mowing my own daughter down out there.
But the nice thing has been to see her getting frustrated about not getting a hit. She wanted to practice in the backyard. I mean, I hate seeing her fail, but I love seeing her want to do better. It was just a matter of time until she connected on one.
She struck out her first two at-bats today. Her third time up, she got to two strikes, and then she got patient and kept waiting on a good pitch. After a bunch of pitches, she connected on one that went up the left side, I think to the shortstop. She dropped her bat and took off. She beat the throw. The next girl got a hit, and she was on second base. The next girl hit a liner to third base, and Payton was out at third since the girl was able to step on the bag.
Coach Dave gave Payton one of the game balls for getting her first hit. She was the last girl to get a hit. It reminded me of my first hit in Little League. Granted, I was older, I guess eight or nine (third grade?). It took me almost the entire season to get a hit. I ended up getting two in one game. I may have gotten another hit the final game. I remember ending my first year with like three or four hits total. Such a great feeling, and yet there is no better feeling than watching your kid get their own first hit. I now know how my Dad felt seeing mine.
I am proud of my daughter and cannot wait to see how she does in the next game.
