I had to leave work early to fight traffic so I could drive across town to pickup Darby from her mother's (kids had no school today). It took me almost twice as long to get there than usual. We barely made it to warm-ups on time, but Darby was better prepared for the weather tonight. Unfortunately Shelby was not. I thought she was staying at her mom's, but they all decided to come to the game, only Shelby had a light jacket, and I didn't know to bring something else. She about froze out there. But then so did I and I had more layers.
Darby had a bit of a confidence blow during the game because the pitching machine went on the offensive. First, she got hit on the thumb, which split her thumb nail. But she was very strong and stayed out there to finish her at bat. As soon as she got in the dugout she was crying her eyes out and I saw that her thumb was bleeding. Once more she was tough and went back out on the field to play her position. Her next at bat, she was again accosted by the machine. This time a ball went wild and hit the outside of her left foot near the ankle. But my tough little girl continued her at bat and return to the dugout in tears. "Why does it keep attacking me?" she said. I reminded her that for the opposing team the machine had pitched into the dirt several times before it hit her.
The amazing thing about Darby's night was not just her toughness, but the fact that she continued to make good defensive plays after both incidents. I was very proud of her this evening.
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