Does it always have to rain on tournament days?

It reminds me of when my brother’s band had a standing Thursday night gig at the Boardy Barn in the Hamptons. Every week, every Thursday, it rained -- for three months straight. So as we headed into yet another tournament weekend, the forecast was again grim.

The Friday night monsoon made a mess of the fields, so even though we knew we had late games on Saturday, we just didn’t expect them to be THAT late, but they were. We all had enough time Saturday to get our normal chores done and Kira even had enough time to get a trim, purple hair extensions and have lunch with her friends at the local Friendly’s. We didn’t head to the fields at Kings Park until almost 4 pm. It was chilly and windy, but at least it was dry.

We had time. Enough time for me to break out the tarot cards again. Even sitting on cold metal bleachers in 20 mile an hour wind, they didn’t’ let me down. I was bang on again for those I read. I’m surprised my daughter didn’t ask me to read hers. You see, this particular tournament was bothering her a little because it was the first time she would be playing AGAINST some former team mates. This is hard for 13-year-olds who leaned to love each other as team mates and now have to compete against each other. I was hoping with all my heart this would teach her and her friends sportsmanship of a different kind. That friends should remain friends no matter what. That sports are only one facet of life, and those you grow close to are a gift you should keep.

Their first game for Saturday’s Pool Play was against the LI Express with Kira’s old Sayville little league team mate, Erin Caputo, who pitched a great game. Riptide ex-team mate Tori Hytell played 2^nd base, so the girls got to a chance to get over the jitters of playing each other only a few minutes before they started. This game was a pitcher’s duel between Ashley and Erin and it ended in a 1 - 1 tie.

Dani C. served up a triple, as Daddy watched once again un-impressed…. On the outside. Kat went 2 for 2 with a walk and Ashley did herself proud at bat going 2 for 2 with a sacrifice bunt.

The second game was against Amanda LaRocca and the Comets. We waited around wondering what the delay was as both teams were on the field, but there were no officials. This is the first time we’ve seen Amanda on a softball field since she wore Riptide Blue. Emotionally it was a tough game, but softball wise -- Kate pitched a great game, and Hannah closed it out. We’ve got some really intimidating girls on the mound, but they had a lot of help from the fielders.

Kat had two unassisted put-outs. There were some great plays by Gabi at 2^nd base, Kira at 3^rd, Dani at short and Annie came up with a great catch in right field. That 6 - 0 score made the late night ending palatable. But sitting out there in the night air for hours can make you a little… nuts. It’s stressful and long, and while the girls are too busy to get hungry, the parents can’t help it. So you sit there and munch out on anything that’s available. It could be indistinguishable items from the “roach coach” or it could be pretzel rods that someone left behind on the stands from the game before. (Thank you John LaRocca) It doesn’t matter after awhile. You figure that if the first parent who ate from the strange bag didn’t keel over turning colors, then they were fair game. We are SO lucky we all like each other and the extra time between games gives us an opportunity to learn more about each other. Which is a good thing since the softball season is… LONG.

It was after 9:30 pm when we left the field, and we hadn’t even eaten dinner. It was so late, however, that we didn’t even stop at a drive-thru, we just headed home to raid the refrigerator and unwind. Easier said than done, as I personally didn’t hit the sheets until almost 1 am.

Kate had a difficult decision to make for Sunday’s bracket play eliminations. Sunday was also the day that her older brother was graduating college. Of course her family wanted her with them, and her team wanted her with them. What’s a 13-year-old to do? Simple. You diss the brother of course, as any younger sister would do.

Sunday’s games were also scheduled later than my liking, but considering the late night prior, it was a good thing. For me, there was one minor conflict. The Penguins were playing the Flyers at 3:30 pm. The Red Wings had already advanced the day before and I missed it. That was the first game of the playoffs that I missed. This would now be the second game. This is unheard of for me.

The weather in the morning was lovely, and then hour by hour, it became grey. By the time we headed to the fields, it was drizzling and cool. I packed more snacks this time as well as my laptop. I figured if there were additional layovers between games, or if anything was delayed, at least I could write the article that needed to be done.

It was raining on and off, and we were all concerned. Would they play the game? Would we all have to wait around for hours to find out what’s next? Would the Flyers pull a win and live to play another day. Ok, so I was the only one contemplating that question. But there were questions. Numerous, unanswerable questions.

I opted to sit in the truck out of the rain while the girls were warming up. I had the XM radio tuned to Home Ice 204 and the laptop cranking. Talk about multi-tasking and sensory overload. I had my digital recorder headset on playing back the interview with Islanders GM Garth Snow and the Penguins game on when that little box in the corner of the laptop screen informed me “You are now connected to the internet.” Be still my heart! Someone across the street from this parking lot has a linksys box! I was in!

Thank you NBC for having ISO cameras on certain players during the play offs. I thought my head would explode as I was watching the game, listening to the game, listening to an interview and trying to write an article all while I had one eye on the rear-view mirror to see if the girls were actually going to play the first game or not! Within five minutes, I had a headache.

“They’re going to play.” Dan told me as he opened up the driver’s side door only to find me in my electronic cord, techno glory.

“I’ll be right there. Let me just finish this paragraph.” I lied. I was actually waiting for the first intermission. I packed up my hardware and put it all under the seat, grabbed the umbrella and sloshed my way out into the wet fields. I thought to myself, “These girls are going to get nothing but SICK in this.”

Game 1 was against the LI Hurricanes and I didn’t think they were going to make it. The girls started out down by three and it looked like an early exit for the Riptide. But something must have made them realize that they were headed for an early departure because their bats managed to come alive and pull out a 10 - 3 WIN.

I paced nervously as I was talking to Maureen on the phone, feeling terrible that Kate had chosen not to go with her family for her brother’s graduation and might have ended up spending the rest of the day trying to dry off. That’s when they started to hit. Dani C was 3 for 4 at the plate with 3 singles. Gabi went 2 for 4 with 2 singles; Kira went 4 for 4 with 3 singles and a double (she really didn’t want to go home). Leanne went 3 for 3 with a highly unusual balk call. Ashley was 2 for 3 with 2 singles, Dani B had a single and a great sacrifice bunt and Rachel (Ray Ray) came up with a key hit for the team to send them into the next round.

“It’s a funny game, this softball.” Princess Di said to me as the sun came out. We thought it was over, we really did. I have to say, I was glad it wasn’t. Even if it did mean having to stay out on the soggy fields for a few more hours.

I kept sneaking away to the truck to check on the score of the Penguins game as timed allowed. The next game was against the LI Bandits 12U team. They really are a GOOD 12U team, and they held the Riptide to only 4 runs until the 7^th inning when the girls’ bats just exploded again for 7 runs which caused an 11 - 0 final.

Princess Kate had the mound for this game, so at least when her brother says “Hey! You missed my graduation.” She can say “Hey! I pitched a SHUT OUT.”

Kat had 4 consecutive unassisted put-outs at first that caused quite a few “oooohhhsss” and “ahhhhss”. Dani C was 3 for 3 at the plate with 2 walks. I asked her father if he still was trying to give her pointers even though she was doing great. “Yes. But now only the car door hears me so I don’t end up in your blog.” Tough luck Johnny boy. You made it anyway.

Hannah was 3 for 4 at the plate and Annie came up with a really nice double. Gabi had 2 successful sacrifice bunts and 2 singles. The infield was busy with this team and both Kira and Gabi ended with 4 put-outs each. I even overheard the Bandits coach say “Can you hit it to someone else, please.” Ok, so I was a little proud at that moment.

I also ran back to the truck to check on the Penguins score and write down a note about this little episode. During the Bandits game, one of their opponents was caught between home and 3^rd. It turned into a game of “chicken” as the poor kid ran back and forth as Kira and Leanne tossed the ball back and forth. Dani C got to a point where she would have no more of that, and caught the ball and just tackled the girl. This is the first time I’ve seen anything like it. I found it very amusing.

Have to say, however, that Leanne did a great job all day long behind the plate. She worked hard all day in some pretty adverse conditions. So even though the day was unsettled, the sun was setting and the girls were still a little damp, they were happy. What started out as a day they were going home early, turned into a day they were heading to the finals. Make that NIGHT they were heading into the finals as the sun was setting and the field lights were coming up.

It was a shame they weren’t on the field toward the west, as the sun setting over the ball field was just spectacular. It was a Sunday night and we were here for the long haul. I’m glad I brought snacks this time. But of course, they’re so much better when they’re just left on the bleachers by someone else. As expected… the Penguins rolled over the Flyers, but the girls’ Championship game wasn’t that easy to predict. They played the LI Express again. Since I’m late with this entry, everyone knows this was a total team effort. Ashley pitched a gem of a game -- only a two hitter. Rachel & Dani B had great hits and Kira continued to shine as she went 2 for 4 with a double and a triple. As I passed Tori Hytell on the way back from the Ladies room, I stopped to say Hi to her on the bench. She looked at me sheepishly and said “Next time… can you tell Kira to leave her BAT at home!”

This was just too sweet. These girls all play so hard and try their best. But when it comes to the championship game, someone goes home a loser. They really are all winners. Leanne was 2 for 4 with 2 singles, Hannah was 1 for 2 with a solid hit, Dani B was 1 for 1 with a single and Dani C had a beautiful RBI single under the moonlight. Rachel (Ray Ray) made an awesome catch of a fly ball hit by Tori Hytell.

Gabi was busy fielding hard hit balls at second base recording 5 put-outs. Kat scooped up everything thrown at her at first base like a seasoned pro. She was “League of Their Own” movie worthy as she was doing splits catching balls on first. It was a sight to behold.

Princess Kate came off the bench with a pinch walk to close out her day, and Annie made 3 nice catches in right field including the catch that ended the game.

Tired, hungry, filthy and happy, our girls took another first place trophy home. They are something so special together. Like pieces to a puzzle that just seems to fit. It‘s still only May. We have a long season ahead of us. But believe it or not… this uber hockey fan is actually looking forward to it.