Can't win 'em all.

Last night we had a game for Tori's softball team. I knew we were in
for a long night when our starting pitcher thought our 6:00 game was
at 7:30. I called her house at 5:45 and she was taking a nap. She also
happens to be our best hitter, so I had to swap her in the lineup for
our 10th hitter. So we got our first two batters on by Tori being
beaned in her fourth straight game. And this is also the third time
she was hit by her good friend Heather. (Crystal's daughter) When I
picked Jaxon up yesterday, I was joking with Heather asking her if she
was gonna brush Tori off the plate again, and she said she couldn't
promise anything. Anyway, back to the game. So we've got two on,
nobody out, and can't manufacture a run. Then our backup pitcher gave
up a grand slam in the bottom of the first. Let the rout begin. We
lost 11-2. The other team's coach, Crystal's husband, tends to get a
little fired up during the games. He yells at the girls, yells at the
umps, complains about calls, etc. He's a great coach, but we just have
different styles. So after the game while we're shaking hands; and I'm
questioning my fun first, winning second coaching style, thinking
about how I'm gonna convince 10 emotional 12 year olds to keep their
heads up, the home plate ump pulls me to the side and hands me the
game ball. He said, 'I'm supposed to give this to the winning team,
but I'm giving it to you for sportsmanship. These girls may not
remember this game, but I'll bet they remember your attitude.' I
didn't know what to say. Then I got back to the dugout, and one of the
girls was talking about how she had played for coach Dave before, and
it wasn't any fun. So I'll count last night as a win anyway.

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