Homerun Hailey!

That's the nickname that Hailey earned among her softball teammates before she even hit her in the park home run during her spring softball season. Aside from the alliteration, I wasn't sure why they called her that except that she could really hit the ball. She wasn't hitting weak grounders either. Her balls sailed high and over the infield most of her times at bat so she collected a number of doubles this season. 

Well Fought 2nd Place Trophy

However, it was during playoffs that she hit her first in the park home run. The pitcher had thrown four balls to her so her coach was allowed to pitch to her. She had the perfect hit right over the first baseman's head and well into the outfield. You'd think that she got lucky but she often hit down the first base line. In fact, in her final game, with a travel player pitching to her she clocked one in the very same spot off that pitcher to record a triple. Her batting was strong. Her fielding was good too. She caught a foul ball running for the fence (from 3rd base) during the playoffs. One of only two players on her team who made foul ball catches all season. She also made a double play from third base (I was out of town for soccer with Austen and Tom was running a Peyton carpool but Papa saw it!). Her team made a great run in the playoffs and ended up in the championship where they lost in the bottom of the last inning 10-9. But they had a great season with great kids and great coaches. They really did quite well for having only one travel girl on their team when many other teams had at least two or three.  

Still she said this was her last season playing softball. It does get harder with all of the travel girls playing now. Their pitches come fast and the almost year-round training gives them a leg up. She's not interested in playing that sport year-round. Heck, I'm not sure she's interested in playing any sport year-round but she does have some talent. You see some flashes of brilliance from her in all sports. It's just whether she really wants to put in the effort to be really good at any of them. Truthfully, I think she'd rather play hockey. Now she wants me to sign her up so she can learn how to skate!

Smiles Despite the Loss in the Championship Game