Rexdale Canadian Jays vs. Martingrove Athletics - July 7, 2014

We were all still very tired from our trip to Cleveland and almost forgot about this game!  Martingrove Baseball League sent out an email requesting an umpire for tonight's Peewee game and because Aaron was free he said he was willing to take the spot.  It wasn't until I sent out the email accepting on his behalf that I remembered to check Ariana's schedule on the fridge...and what a coincidence...she has a game against Martingrove tonight!  I had a strong feeling that the game Aaron accepted was Ariana's!  Yes, this could pose as a conflict of interest but I believe if he is the infield umpire rather than the home plate umpire and since it is not a tournament, it will be alright.

We arrived at the field and Aaron met with the other umpire who agreed to take the home plate position...Thank God!

The game started right on time at 6:30 p.m. and the Jays were up to bat first.  It didn't take long for the Athletics to get the three outs to end the inning with no runs scored.  The Jays take the field and Ariana plays short stop.  There was one out already when the next kid hits a ball straight at her and she manages to get down and block the ball.  I was surprised at how quickly she reacted and threw the ball to the first baseman and got the out.   Way to go Ariana!  The inning ended and the Athletics didn't get any runs.

Getting ready for a hit - July 7, 2014.

 In the second inning our kids were hitting nice ones but they were being caught and thrown out.  The Athletics have a few of their Select players on this team so they obviously had an advantage.  I know this because one of Aaron's teammate from the Rep team has a brother on the team and we know he is a Select player.  Also the Select players wore white pants and all the other players wore grey.

The Athletics managed to get 2 runs in this inning as the Jays changed their pitcher...a girl.  Our Coach is giving everyone a chance to pitch so the each kid is given one inning.  Ariana is in the outfield behind second.  The bases were loaded and the Jays got 3 outs in a single play to end the inning!  Wow, even the home plate Umpire was confused there for a few minutes.  The bases were loaded, the kids up the bat hit and was thrown out at first, because it was a forced play the kid on third had to come home but he ran halfway and ran back to third, then the kid running from second to third had no were to go so they tagged him out...and that makes 3 outs!

Ariana went up to bat in the third inning.  After fouling one, she hits a beautiful one just past the infield.  The Athletics' short stop was able to get the ball to throw her out at first.  She drops her bat and runs for her life to try and reach safely on first.  She knows she can't make it so she slides into the base.  Just as her foot touches the base, the first baseman catches the ball and she is called OUT...by Aaron!  I honestly thought she would argue with her brother but she just calmly walked back to the dugout and I could see the disappointment in her face.  This is one of those moments when I regretted putting them in this position.  I went over to her and asked what she thought about the play and she said 'Aaron is right, I was out'.  I am glad he is professional and takes his job seriously and I am even more happy that she is understanding the game!  The Jays got 1 run before the inning ended.

The Jays changed the pitcher again for the third inning and the Athletics managed to get their 5 runs to end the inning.

The Athletics sent in a new pitcher for the forth and the Jays managed to get another run in.

Ariana went up to pitch for the forth and final inning.  She walks the first kid after throwing 2 strikes.  She walks the second kid and one scored on an overthrow by the defence.  Even though she threw a couple strikes the third kid gets a walk and another kids scored 1 more run on a wild pitch.  She managed to strike out the 4th kid.  The next kid hits and no one caught it so another run is scored.  She strikes out the next kid...wow, it looks like Aaron has some serious competition!  The next kid hits but the defence is terrible and even though the first baseman block the ball they couldn't get the out and now the Athletics have 4 runs.  The next kid should have been a strike out but the back catcher drops the ball so the kid runs to first and is safe!  I guess she gave up on the defence because she struck out the next kid for the 3rd out!

Pitching in the 4th Inning against Martingrove - July 7, 2014.

The game ended with a final score of 7-2 for the Athletics.

On the way home, Aaron and Andy were commending her on her pitching as she threw a lot a strikes.  She said to us - 'You know Aaron was coaching me when I was pitching.  He was whispering to me to pitch harder'.

Pitching, while her brother is Umpiring the game - July 7, 2014.

These two are a very proud Baseball Mom's kids!