Travel, from Toledo to Amsterdam

Clare came late to travel softball because we tried baseball first—four levels of Pony to be exact.  She made the transition in eighth grade and has been traveling ever since.

I never cease to be amazed at how quickly the notion of travel sports has caught on since the 1990s; before that, it was pretty much Little League or nothing.  Now, parents go where the travel schedule tells them.

Among the memorable places for us were Kankakee, IL (overflowing garbage cans and a midnight game); Toledo, Ohio ($50 spent at the concession stand for water); and Salisbury, MD (stunningly bad coaching and a possible concussion).  The nice thing about college softball the last three years is that the season kicks off in Florida.  After Chicago winters (and before Chicago springs), I’ve grown quite fond of Orlando in March.

Last year, Clare heard about an organization that sponsors softball trips abroad for high school and college players.  My sister, who believes in the many benefits of travel, agreed to pay for nine days in Holland.  What does it say about me that my daughter has a passport and I don’t?  With luck, nothing too bad.

Apparently, the Dutch like their softball to the extent of having six teams Clare could play against.  The girls did their sightseeing during the day and ballplaying under the lights.  My daughter visited the Anne Frank museum and showed herself to be one of those modest Americans who did not quite understand what she saw in the red light district of Amsterdam.  The prostitutes are on display in front windows that double as doors.

Our traveler brought home three different kinds of cheese to go with five hits, three for extra bases.  I tend to keep track of these things.