B Trophy Champs at Softball Tourney!

Most of last weekend was spent playing softball. My cousin Jason's Six-Pac Slowpitch League always has a year-end tournament and banquet. I joined the team in May to get to know my cousins better, be active, and meet new people. I hadn't played ball since I was about 14, but it was tons of fun!

Our regular season was okay, but somehow we played extremely well this weekend. Perhaps we're better as a tournament team! We won our game Friday evening against the Springfield Isotopes - each player had a Simpsons character alter-ego - unexpectedly. Then, on Saturday morning, we played a leading team and ran off with the win. I played my best at this game, but of course it was the only game Lorne didn't watch! The games were really fun because people were social, friendly, and even wearing silly costumes and wigs to play in... Finally, Saturday afternoon, we played the top team and made a valiant effort at winning. They snuck ahead to win 21-18, but by that point, no one cared. The beer cooler was empty, we were B Cup Champions, and everyone was ready to party at the Banquet that night.

Did I mention I managed to injure myself in the first few innings of our first game on Friday? While attempting to field a grounder, the ball hit my Right middle finger and jammed the first knuckle, resulting in instant pain and impressive swelling. And I didn't even make the play... soooo frustrating. Luckily I iced it immediately and found a finger splint at home to protect it, so I could keep playing ball on Saturday.

The banquet was super! We had a catered roast beef supper, and a toonie bar on site, which facilitated mingling with players from other teams in a friendly environment. After supper, there were door prizes and awards. Our Trophy was huge. At the last minute, Jason asked me to sell raffle tickets for a HUGE jug of Crown Royal. The proceeds would go to the Food Bank, so how could I refuse?? I devised a scheme: One ticket for $2 or 3 tickets for $5. I decided to hit each table individually to make my pitch and sell sell sell! In less than 15 minutes, using my scheme along with some innovative promotional techniques, I managed to sell almost $200 worth of tickets! It was so much fun to help raise money for a good cause.

The night ended with beach volleyball, a campfire, and the telling of many funny stories. A fitting end to a great season of softball!