The first

Friday night. Having successfully navigated the Stake and Regional softball tournaments, the Ward women's team headed for glory in the area championship. Four teams with dreams of green jell-o victory parties, only one could walk home with the Pyrex cup.

Melissa confidently strode out to right field, where her advanced speed could make-up for missed catches. In her first at bat, the wind blew three times. Second at bat, contact! A dribbling grounder... an error... she made it on base and later home. Then came the glory. A high fly ball into right center field, she ran, she prayed, her team prayed, no one called it... and Melissa grabbed it right before the center fielder collided with her but still, it was the game winning catch.

The post-game pep-talk mostly centered on why a person should call for the ball, and what that means for those who have never really played before. In the semi-final, Melissa focused on remembering to call it. Another high fly ball, Melissa ran in, calling for the catch the entire time, and watched it sail 20 feet over her head into the glove of the center fielder. Next lesson? Geometry. Particularly circles. This was not the most entertaining part of the second game though... Melissa "slid" into second base. Words cannot describe the attempt, but one must try. Imagine not knowing how to slide, and assuming that it occurs by stretching one leg out further than the other - like splits, now imagine not slowing down before that, now imagine the foot hitting the bag, popping up, and seeing her land "safe!" both cheeks directly on the bag.

Unfortunately, they lost that last game. Second place is the first loser. So we had to celebrate with apostate peach jell-o instead. Maybe next year. But... we don't have to wait long for more entertainment! Basketball and volleyball seasons are just around the corner... let the pain begin! Bring video cameras.