The impetus for this blog was the end of the collegiate softball season. Softball is over, get over it, move along sister. Time for something new. I was only going to feature softball pictures about once/week. People are not interested, right? Especially considering most of my pictures are of my own daughter.
But (for now) I've got an expanded audience. Love you, softball folks. So another softball picture. Pac 10 action from last month. Oregon vs Cal in a hotly contested series between two last place (in the conference) teams. For those unfamiliar with Pac 10 softball (nobody, right?), all of the Pac 10 teams went to the NCAA Regionals and only Cal ended the season unranked in the top 25. And that is VERY unusual (inconCEIVable) for Cal.
A confusing picture because both teams are wearing yellow though Cal's jerseys are really more of a gold. The modest Cal softball field is up in Strawberry Canyon above the venerable football stadium and the rugby field. Beautiful shot of the forested Berkeley hills, sometimes there's a hazy view of San Francisco Bay looking the other way. Wonderful setting, not too many seats. Flushies though, you always have to appreciate that.
Sixth inning. Cal's frosh pitcher, Marisa Drewery is in the circle. Oregon has the bases loaded, Oregon's first team All American Jenn Salling has just hit something to right center, the runners are holding their positions, poised to advance should the ball drop, to tag up and take their chances if it's caught. Notice that the runners (actually I think that IS my daughter on second base) are not watching the ball, they are watching the coaches to give them the signal. The ball falls in for a double and two runs score. Oregon wins 8-2. That game Jo Gail stopped EVERYTHING going up the left side.
Players at this level are skillful, disciplined and well-coached. Softball is a game of inches, split-seconds and speed. Take your eyes from the field for a second and you miss the action.
The UO softball trips to the Bay Area were a great excuse for my husband and I to travel to California in the spring. Many thanks to my college roommate JJ for hosting us and shlepping around to Berkeley and Palo Alto for these games. We liked to joke "Well, the Oregon softball team is coming to town, aren't YOU going to be there? Where else could you possibly be?"
We are sitting up in the stands, often accompanied by some elderly friends of Dennis' parents. Our friend, the Thorsons are also there along with KT, former All American Cal pitcher and her fiance. It's been a lot of fun being a Pac 10 parent.
1 comment:
miss those girls playing ball, don't you!
Post a Comment