11/14/2021
A Gator Story:
In January this year, we had no idea what we were about to get into...we (parents, players and coaches) decided to take our talented rec team and transition into a travel softball team.
We were a solid team from the start, but certainly had our work cut out for us. Live pitching was new, especially at the speed we were now seeing. Our batters were nervous. Our base running was questionable and we had never slid. Bunting was new. Signs were new. Our catchers were developing. Our players, parents and coaches didn't give up.
Our team worked hard ALL year. There were cold practices, hot practices and freezing practices. There were a few practices in the rain and maybe even a few additional impromptu practices. We didn't give up.
At the start of fall, our bracket pitcher moved up to 12U. One remaining pitcher is 9 years old and our other had only pitched 1 game ever at the start of the fall season. We didn't give up.
We did team building outside of practices. We saw movies, pool parties, birthday parties, and played putt putt. We celebrated good grades with donuts. These girls had formed a very special bond.
This year we had 31 wins, 3 gold bracket runners up, 1 silver bracket State Championship win, a silver bracket runner up and were yet to win a Gold Bracket Championship.
Yesterday was our last tournament of the year. These girls have worked incredibly hard. They are no longer nervous at the plate. Their base running is now smart and aggressive. They know the count, the signs, and most importantly, that they can do it! The pitchers worked so hard including a former outfielder learning to pitch too.
Yesterday, we lost our first game 3-11 to Carolina Thunder. We played far below our capabilities. We went as a team/families for donuts in between games and oddly the girls didn't seem phased, just having fun, no mention of giving up.
Well, our bats came to life in game 2! We won 14-2. This put us in the GOLD Bracket as a #4 seed. We played a very good Milltown Smoke team with a guest pitcher, but pulled off the win! Onto the championship game which meant we played Carolina Thunder again.
Sometimes there just aren't words for what happened next. The girls played to their FULL potential. Offense and defense were incredible. After a years worth of work, these girls won the GOLD BRACKET CHAMPIONSHIP!! 🥎🧡 🏆
