For the last 13 years, this girl of ours has been playing baseball or softball. She started at the age of 5 playing baseball with the boys, and then started playing Bonnet Ball at the age of 6. From then on, there was no stopping her. After playing Bonnet Ball for a few years, she began playing "Comp" softball. What fun times! Some highlights:
- Madi has played for 3 different comp teams (Sting, Sliders and Extreme), and 1 high school team (Judge Memorial Bulldogs)
- Made countless friends, both teammates and on rival teams
- We've taken MANY trips as a family to tournaments (Steamboat Springs, CO ~ St. George, UT ~ Las Vegas, NV ~ Portland, OR)
- She is the ONLY Pitcher on her high school team and has never played in a JV game
- She has usually been one of 3-4 pitchers on her comp teams, and primarily played 1st base, and occasionally 3rd base
- Played in every Triple Crown World Series, since playing comp ball
- Had swim parties and sleepovers with teammates
- Played on the Sting soccer team with her softball friends
- Pitched almost every game as a high school pitcher on the varsity team, even as a freshman
- Played most of her sophomore high school season with a "boot" after having surgery to place a metal rod and 6 screws in her ankle
- Countless BBQ's and dinners out after games with teammates and their families
- Received several scholarships and offers to play college softball
BUT, after all is said and done.....Madi has decided to hang up her cleats, put away her mitt and say goodbye to the sport that has brought so much to her life. It is time to move on to a new chapter for her now. And while, it is bittersweet and we (the whole family) will miss seeing Madi on the softball field, we are so excited to see what is in store for her.
Thanks for all the softball memories you have given us Madi! It has been so much fun to travel around with you and watch you play over the years!
Great post! Good luck to Madi!
Posted by: Pam | May 17, 2011 at 09:39 AM
aww..what a great tribute to Madi! Loved seeing all the photos, they are amazing, of course! Sending big hugs to you, Ali! I'm right there with you!
xoxo
Posted by: Jean | May 17, 2011 at 10:25 AM
Aww! That is so sad, but so wonderful to think of all the memories made at the same time! My daughter says that she is going to take a break from her synchro skating team next year...so they all seem to grow up & move on at some point, don't they? I like to think of it as growing in new directions! Love the picture at the end! Hope your week is going great! Angie xo
Posted by: Angie | May 17, 2011 at 08:57 PM