Family Hero

Tuesday Ceil took Will over to East Cobb at 3:30, for his 4:30 doubleheader. She’d had a horrible day, particularly getting M to do his schoolwork. About the same time a crisis arose at EZGo. Parts were needed from the painter, but there was no time to get a truck to the painter before they closed. I joked that Ceil could pick them up, but soon it became clear…that was the only option. Back at work today, Ceil is a hero. I get to take her out for a nice dinner, on the company (she said wanted cash!).

The original plan was for two of our temps working in Augusta to drive all the way over and get them. That way I could watch most of the doubleheader. But the operations manager nixed that idea, since they were temps. I left at 4:50 and drove to ECB, watched a half inning, including a groundout from Will. Then I drove back to work to unload the two boxes, arriving at 7 pm. The games dragged on and on, and I got back in time to see inning 2 of game 2.

Thought it would be later, so I didn’t bother with my scorebook. When the sun went down it got cold, which would’ve made scorekeeping bothersome anyway. Classmate Jordan was there, as usual. Abby showed, with brother Spencer. Also David Norman and former player Josiah, who I like a lot.

Will caught game one. When a runner stole third, Will hit his hand on the bat trying to make the throw. He may have been the only Crown player to two full games. He had a nice double play in game two, playing second base. Caught a line drive moving right, then fired to first to double the runner. The young shortstop played well again, then Will played the last 2-3 innings at short, handling his one chance.

Ceil said he had a real nice RBI hit in game one, and he beat out an infield bouncer in game two. He thought his hitting would come around, with more repetitions. They barely won game one, against a talented opponent. Seemed like they didn’t try to win game two. Afterward, Will said he felt terrible.

I was in a bad mood, and I complained most of the night…

…I took great enjoyment in critiquing the opponent’s ugly batting helmets, because they were just like Will’s team.

…after Will grounded out to more times, I wondered out loud whether the 5 or 6 “coaches” in the dugout would let Will go the entire season hitting grounders, without giving him one-on-one hitting instruction. Seems like they’re happy to see a player get one hit in a doubleheader, be it a lucky bloop or infield roller. They probably didn’t make the connection that just behind them was a covered batting cage, full of East Cobb players taking swing after swing. Not an emphasis on this team, and it shows.

…high foul pop near the backstop, and no one helps the catcher. When it lands two feet from the fence, the catcher looks at the dugout. The coaches just stared back, not saying anything.

…foul pop behind first, caught by the first baseman. No one lets him know the runner at second was tagging. Had he not had to figure this out himself, he could’ve thrown the runner out.

…players took their time taking the field between innings…the catcher as well. Game two ended at 10 pm.

…the umpire was calling the outside strike, and Will’s team never adjusted. Batter after batter was rung up. Each time, they were amazed. No communication.

…Sam, a junior, is a beast, and should play more. At some point, the coaches will realize this. It would mean less PT for younger players.

Thursday they play a JV team, so Will can go to his Living Science meeting.

Lots of sushi at the Lobster House, and crab legs. Big Saturday night crowd, for the $21.00 buffet. At 5:45 it was pretty empty, but almost full by 6:15. They will cook certain things to order, when you get the buffet. Plenty of non-seafood options as well.