The Fine Points of Theology and College Softball

The Fine Points of Theology and College Softball

These were our choices yesterday against 16^th (!) ranked Illinois Wesleyan—heaven, hell or limbo.  Translated into more secular terms, we could sweep, get swept or split.  The Bluejays went with option three, winning the first game 4-3 against an opponent who did not expect to be challenged.  What a difference a year makes.

I wish my father were here to watch his granddaughter play.  He’d have cheered on her first homerun of the season and pointed out the Jays’ “Polish Connection,” Clare and our new infielder Alyssa; she’s a transfer student who hadn’t played ball in going onto two years, courtesy of a bad experience with her first college coach.  All I can say is: Thank You, Coach.  Your loss has been our gain.  We now have someone who can play short and third equally well while giving Clare some much-needed protection in the batting order.

In the bottom of the first of game one, we had two runners on, one out and Clare up.  She smoked a ball to straightaway center field; the center fielder, who was already playing deep, only had time enough to back up two steps before she leaped and caught the ball.  Back in the old days, this would have counted as a sacrifice because both runners tagged up and advanced.  Alyssa then followed with the first of her three hits in the game.

Her next at-bat, Clare rifled a 1-0 pitch out to where the trees grow beyond the center field fence.  There is no greater joy—for me, at least—than to watch your child circle the bases as her teammates pour out of the dugout to congratulate her as she crosses the plate.  After that, all I could do was hold on, which Tiffany did, too.  Dizzy Dean turned into Harry Houdini, giving up nine hits and four walks in a complete game win.  But she got the outs when she had to, and everyone caught the ball.  That’s how you win.  A pity game two didn’t follow that script.

We get a day off before facing 20^th ranked North Central Tuesday afternoon and the choice again of heaven, hell or limbo.  I know which one my dad would take.