8U All Stars

Ben, Coach Dean and the rest of the Speedway 8U All Stars participated in their first tournament this weekend:  The Bulldog Bash in Monrovia.  Pool play was Thursday night and Friday night with 6 p.m. games.  Ben was really excited going into the first game..and his excitement only diminished a little following the game when his team was "run ruled" in the 4th inning because they were down 22-10!!!  Yikes.  Those Decatur Central boys don't mess around.  The team got it together the next night and were really competitive for five innings against Tri-West but imploded in the 6th and lost that game as well.

The most awesome thing happened at the end of that game, however.  We were all gathering our belongings and preparing for a team picture when the entire Tri-West team approached our team and asked for "the short stop.  #9."  So Ben stepped forward and the coach heard us all saying Ben and said "You name is Ben?  My name is Ben too.  We just wanted to give you a game ball, Ben, in recognition of your hard work, effort and outstanding play.  We wish we could give your entire team a ball but we only have one and you really stood out to us tonight."  Ben was kind of in shock but everyone cheered and he gave a sweet smile and looked at the ground, embarrased.  He then (such a big boy) shook the hand of every member of their team.  It was a definite proud momma moment.

On the car ride home I was telling Ben how awesome it was that he got that ball and that he should be so proud and he (I hope jokingly??) said "Yea, I got the ball because their coach is named Ben just like me."  Tell me that he really didn't think that??  I swear he is a smart boy...

Saturday we all woke up  bright and early, picked up Oma and made the 40 minute drive back to Monrovia.  The 8:30 a.m. game versus Monrovia was pretty ugly and we lost badly.  The boys were pretty down following that game and we returned home for a little bit before heading back to the ball fields for our 1:30 p.m. game versus Danville.  This was a double elimination tournament so we knew if we lost, this would be our final game of the weekend. 

Our team looked a lot better in this game and stayed competitive.  Ben had a couple big hits and caught a ball for an out (he caught someone out in every game of this tournament....two in one game).  We ended up losing again, however, and all the boys were bummed.  Ben said on the way home that "he just wanted to still be playing" and that his "heart hurt."  Poor guy.  He got over it quickly, however, when we met the Matelics at El Rodeo for dinner and had a great time with great friends reminising about a great weekend.

I loved this experience.  Dean and I were talking about what great family time it was and how much we just love watching Ben play sports.  I am so proud of his effort, his encouragement of his teamates, his desire to improve and his ability to "shake it off" at the end of the game.  Ben truly wants to win but is ok with a loss if he feels like he gave his best effort. 

Joe did pretty well this weekend too.  His best friend Drew and other great friends were around to keep him busy and the "little" boys spent most of the weekend playing catch or "shadow" ball.  It was equally fun to watch them enjoy each other.

I also love how loved my boys are by their extended family members. Oma came with us to every game and Bampaw, Nana, Aunt Mal Mal, Uncle Craig, Abby, Uncle Dave, Aunt Karen and Uncle Pete all came to watch Ben as well. 

The boys and Dean and I snuggled into Ben's room and watched movies last night beginning at 5:30 p.m. We all dozed on and off and put in a couple different movies before calling it a night at 10 and retiring to our own beds.  It was a perfect end to a perfect weekend.