The Rookie and the Veteran Together at Last

The day has finally come that Charlie is old enough to be on a "real" team (as she calls it). Softball has started for the Grace Girls! The girls, probably for the only time in their sports' careers, are on the same team. Because of the starting age for T-Ball and the cut-off date, Ryan is playing in this division for the third time (aka "the veteran") and Charlie is probably one of the youngest in the league (aka "the Rookie").

We got Charlie all her own gear. She did NOT... I repeat, did NOT want Ryan's hand-me-downs. She picked out her own backpack, helmet, and bat and was beaming to have it all on and ready to go!

Look at how big that gear looks on her little tiny body?

Precious.

"The Buginator" as she likes to be called, has never been happier.

In this league, the girls can either put their real names or their nicknames on their jersey. Most put a nickname, especially when they are in these younger divisions.

Last year, Ryan had "Ry-Ry."

Short.

Simple.

Close to her real name.

Totally made sense.

Charlie feels confident to go with "The Buginator"

I tried to warn her that it might not fit. She hasn't budged.

Alrighty then Buginator, you got it!

Coach Ray Rojes gets the girls excited about the upcoming season.


Ryan has such a different attitude this year than in year's past. She has always been timid out there on the field. Not this year. Not this girl. Either she finally figured out that she likes softball and is pretty darn good at it. OR.. she has realized that she is the oldest and likes it!
LOL... either way, I'll take it. It's fun to watch her.


First time out in the field. The coach, bless his heart, has never coached little girls before. He said to them, "Line up in the field between 1st and 3rd base." I wish I would have gotten a picture of the girls' "what is he talking about" faces. huhhhh...
"What's a field?"
"What's 1st base?"
"What's 3rd base?"
This picture is AFTER Steve and Mike got them all situated.
(I suppose as much as 5 and 6 year old girls can be situated on the first day of practice.)


L.O.V.I.N.G it! Go get 'em lil Miss Charlie!

You can see in this action shot the girls who have or have not played before.

Charlie, in the foreground, obviously has not.

Ryan, Kendall, and Addie all in their veteran "down and ready" positions ready to go.

Practice is over! Ready for next week Coach!

Here's to a great season Grace Girls! We hope you will all join us for a game!