Subject: Joaquin's Baseball Game Status

We just got home (11:15 pm) and this night's game was another nail biter.

Bottom of the 3rd inning - 1 out - Bases loaded. Score was 4-1 - we were losing against a team that was much bigger than our guys - one had shoulder length hair and I saw a mustache! Wackers (as Joaquin is affectionately called by this teammates) was up to bat. He got a walk and started a rally. The pitcher for St. Benedict's got nervous and walked in two runs, threw a wild pitch - which allowed another score AND then loaded the bases - Wackers was on 3rd now. One of our kids hit a shot past 2nd base and cleared the bases but got tagged out at 2nd base. Too greedy. The Inning was over since there is a 7 run limit per inning. Score is now 4-7.

Top of the 4th - St. B's scored two runs.

Bottom of the 4th we scored another run. Score was now 6-8. Wackers came up to bat - AGAIN - bases loaded - 2 outs.

Of course I'm kicking myself because I didn't bring a camera! But he went down swinging on a full count. It was now up to us to hold St. B's and we had last bats.

Now for the part where I chew my nails off (its tough to type right now):

Top of the 5th - St. B's at bat - 2 outs - Score is 6-8. Bases are loaded with St. B's tying run on 2nd base - 2-2 count.

....Bidy, that is 2 balls and 2 strikes....now back to the game. (a dig at my sis-in-law...love you Bidy)

Ray our pitcher has pitched all 5 innings. He's tired and you can see his shoulders sag while he nervously spins the baseball in his right hand - you then hear Wack yelling encouragement from left field. Ray seems to perk up and with the back of his hand, wipes the sweat off his brow. He closes his stance and brings the glove up to his chin. He sneaks a glance over to the 1st base Runner then turns his gaze back to the batter. He exhales (I swear I could hear him since everyone was so quiet) and begins his wind up. He fires a pitch that concludes with a loud pop as it buries itself in the catcher's mitt. The home plate Umpire does the STRIKE OUT 1-2 PUNCH. WE WIN!

They will play for all the marbles this Friday night at 8:30pm at St. Luke's - I believe it's off Callaghan and IH-10? They will be playing for the City Championship and I think either way they have clinched 2nd place.

But here is our dilemma - Wac ..errh, Joaquin has a Boy Scout camping trip this Friday. They leave at 3pm on Friday and will not return until Sunday. He would miss the game. I told the coaches and they understood.

On the drive home, Joaquin looked over to me and asked, "Dad - win or lose - I'd like to be there with my team. Instead of leaving with the Scouts on Friday night, do you think you can you drive me to my camp location on Saturday morning?"

"Sure Papa."

Joaquin - what a team player.

GO RANGERS GO!