This Weekend's Tournament

Danielle's team played 2 games yesterday and surprised us all by pulling off a win in the 2nd game, so they went on to play this morning. Her team is struggling, but Danielle had a very good weekend. She led her team in batting average and on base percentage. She ends up with the highest batting average or very close to it in almost every tournament we're in. When you look at our team, you wouldn't expect her to be at the top because she's so small, but she's quick. She had 14 at bats over the course of this weekend and got on base 10 times. We played some really good teams with fast pitchers, and she did a great job keeping up. She played centerfield most of the weekend and had some great plays. She really is a good fielder. And she is so fast. I love to watch her run.

We were playing the #4th ranked team in the state. She had 2 great hits.



Safe by a mile.

Leaping catch for the out.

Our last game today was pretty tough. Danielle was attempting to steal home but the catcher from the other team stood right on the baseline, blocking the plate. The girl was twice Danielle's size. Danielle was mid slide when the catcher got the ball and swung around to tag Danielle...which she didn't really need to do because she was already blocking the plate! She hit Danielle in the chin pretty hard and knocked her down. Danielle may be little, but she is tough. She doesn't cry when she gets hit by the ball, and she doesn't stay down when she falls. Which is why it was super scary to see her sprawled out on home plate. She couldn't get up, and both teams' coaches and umps were immediately over her to be sure she was ok. I will admit that Ron and I left our seats and stood at the fence, too. (We didn't go on the field.) After a couple minutes she caught her breath and was able to get up. There were tears, but she didn't sit down and cry about it. The next batter got the 3rd out, and she was right back out in the field, wiping her eyes while she raced to make a play. She bruised her chin pretty good and has a scratch over her eye, but she is fine. It could have been much worse, and we are so thankful it wasn't. She amazes me. They play in the championship game for their weekly league tomorrow night.