10/05/2026
Not how I wanted tonight’s post to go, but here goes…
Today was supposed to be about getting better. It was supposed to be about having fun.
We stay away from 2-day tournaments because I never want anyone to think ball goes before God. We rained out yesterday and the one day tournament was played today. We devo’d before game one and we devo’d again on a break. I want these girls to be good humans, even before being good ball players. But, understand that I want them to be good ballplayers, too.
We won the tournament, today. We were getting drubbed in the championship game and then protested it because I learned the team we were playing had player they picked up, but didn’t roster.
Pickups are killing tournament ball, but that’s a story for another time.
We protested, the player was determined to not be legal, and the game was called in our favor. Again, we were getting the brakes beat off of us. I protested not to win, but so a team that had an unrostered player (again… against the rules) wouldn’t win.
After every game, the umpires provide an MVP medal to be handed out to the winning team. I gave the championship game’s medal to the opposing pitcher. Her and their catcher were destroying us. She deserved it.
We then went through the typical ceremonies and huddled as a team. I explained to them why we won, but that I counted it as a loss. We were beat. We played our worst game at the worst time. I also explained to them that regardless of what the world does, we will will always strive to do what is right. On and off the field. I apologized to them because we didn’t get to celebrate as we should have ( I assure you we were gonna celebrate 2nd place like we had won) and that we played our best tournament to date. We talked about what we need to work on and headed home.
These girls don’t even know everyone’s name well because we have only been together 2 months to the day. They have improved week to week through hard work and dedication. That improvement was overshadowed by an opposing team bending the rules as they see fit. Not because we should have won, but because we were robbed of the feeling of accomplishment for what we had achieved through the rest of the tournament.
Be mad at me if you want. Talk all you want about Freedom Fastpitch 12u. We’re going to continue to do things right, day in and day out, because that is more important than the rings. We play 12 deep every game. Bat 12 and make sure they all get field time. Every game. Because their development is most important, not the rings. Any coach will tell you how much it hurts a team to bat 12. We do it anyway because someday, it will all work out for each kiddo. We want them to develop and they only do that by getting game reps.
It’s a sad world when doing what is right and following rules is met with so much animosity. I hate for these girls and their parents. I hate for the kids on the other team. They played great all day and deserve all their flowers, win or lose in that championship game.
The rules exist for a reason. Anytime someone doesn’t follow them, you pay the piper when you get caught. Cast blame where you need to, but (And I can’t stress this enough) you robbed your kids, not Freedom Fastpitch.
Shout out to all of our MVPs:
Izzy
Mad Dog
Sophia (we really gotta find her a nickname)
Freedo
CA
Rye
Honestly, each kiddo stepped up in some way today and could have easily won an MVP.
1st, 2nd or 3rd was irrelevant, today. We were going home winners because we are loved by Him and we are growing and learning with every tournament. We’ll see everyone at the next one…
Stay Humble and Stay HIS!
MH
🇺🇸🥎🇺🇸🥎
