PLAY BALL!

Check it out...softball season has begun!

This year Catherine is playing for Mark Morris High School again (even though she attends Three Rivers Christian School) and this year she is on the junior varsity squad. Last weekend Steve, Stephpanie and I drove down to Vancouver (WA) and got to watch the game. I'm starting to lose count, but I'm thinking that out of 6 scheduled games so far this season, the girls have had 5 rained out. This game at Hudson's Bay High School in Vancouver last weekend was a make up game we were happy to get in. It was a bit chilly but since there was no rain, we were happy to be there!

Catherine swings a pretty good bat when she's at the plate and can that girl run!! Her first time up she swatted the ball into right-center and still managed to slide into second safely! (Yes, I applauded her efforts enthusiasticallly.)

On defense, Catherine plays second base and there she totally (I mean totally) robbed a girl of a hit. When the ball came off the bat, it sounded as if it was going to sail to the outfield. It was a sharp line drive rising over Catherine's head when she snagged it. I thought the force might knock the glove off her hand, but Catherine said it was a piece of cake. (Once again I applauded her efforts enthusiastically!)

Catherine and the Monarchs won the game 14 - 1 after five innings. I'm thankful for the "mercy rule" that says if a team is leading by 10 or more runs after 5 innings, you stop playing. I've been on the losing side of 23-3 games before.

Stephanie has started softball practice as well and her first game is schedule for the 19th of April. This morning we got a call from her coach notifying us that today's practice was cancelled...due to snow! Do you believe that?! First of all, it does not snow much here during the winter and secondly, it DOES NOT snow the end of March! This is very strange weather we're having this spring.

The Mariners have their opening game in Seattle on Monday, and I'm glad that Safeco has a roof so that game isn't likely to be either rained out or snowed out. Come on, let''s play ball!