That All-Star Game...Do You Remember When?

When I was a child, the summers seemed to last forever. Long days and nights with friends, no school, no responsibilities. Oh how I miss those days. When I was a child, the highlight of my summer was softball season. From the time I was six, I would spend my summers at the softball diamond. I will never forget those days, I wish they never had to end. In particular, one moment from my favorite summer past time sticks out in my mind...

It was the summer of 1997. I was ten years old and had not a care in the world. My best friend Kelly and I were both members of the Wildcats softball team. I remember my excitement the first day when I found out we were going to be Wildcats. I even remember when my coach handed me the purple jersey.

Kelly and I were next door neighbors back on Yorkshire Lane. I will never forget how excited we were when we found out we would be playing on the same team. Kelly had a great arm, and I had a great eye for the ball. Together we would have made one amazing softball player.

Aside from getting our jerseys on the first day of practice, we both will never forget the 1997 All-Star game. Kelly and I both were excited to be selected to represent our team that year. As a child, the little things seem so important. We both can vividly recall that day....the day we both got two amazing hits off the fastest pitcher in the league.

Kelly and I knew that we would have to face Katherine Fisher, the fastest pitcher in the entire league. I will never forget how white our faces were before we stepped up to the plate. Kelly struck out her first time at bat. I assured her that the next time she was up she would smack the ball over the right fielders head. And she did.

It was the seventh inning, I was on deck and Kelly was batting. She looked really nervous as she moved back in the batters box. Ball, Ball, Strike, BOOM. The ball soared over the head of the girl in right field. Kelly rounded third and slid into home. Homerun! What a feeling. (I think she was more excited that she got to slide into home, which we all thought was so cool back then).

Now it was my turn. I shivered (Not sure why..) as I approached the plate on that 90 degree July day. My dad told me to choke up and get back in the box. He was standing behind the chain link fence. Ball,Strike, BOOM. A line shot into center field. Double. I was so proud of myself, I'll never forget that moment.

Although neither one of us play softball anymore, we are still proud of our accomplishment that day. I would say this is probably my proudest personal moment as a child. My dad still tells this story...just ask him about it.