Matthew's First Home Run

Matthew hit his first ever inside-the-park home run yesterday evening, and was one of the leading hitters as his RockHounds beat the MuckDogs 22 – 16,in the semi-final tournament game. Matthew batted fifth in the order. In the first inning he came up with two runners on, after power hitter Scott struck out. Matthew smashed the pitch into leftfield for a double, the third-baseman unable to react in time to the hard hit ball. This drove in both runners, and the outfield had to make a good play to hold Matthew to a double, as he had run fast. He scored from second on the next batter’s hit. In the third inning Matthew singled up the middle. He scored all the way from first on the next batter’s hit into the outfield, but the most exciting part of the play was yet to come. As Matthew ran home, he failed to touch the plate. Many runners will go back and touch the dish to be sure, but Matthew continued into the first-base dugout, sitting down and removing his helmet. I noticed the umpire was intently watching Matthew, as I discussed the matter with Coach Tracey. We quickly got Matthew to run out and touch home, and only then did the umpire signal safe. Monday night after his practice, Matthew told me at bedtime that he was going to hit a home run in the game. I told him he needed to run fast, all the way. Later as he said his prayers with Ceil, he prayed that he would hit a home run. Ceil mentioned this to some of the parents sitting with us in the stands during the game. Matthew led off in the fifth inning and hit a hard line drive into centerfield that rolled past all the outfielders. Sitting in the first base bleachers, you could see the smile on his face and gleam in his eye as he rounded first base. He made it to third by the time the outfield was just getting the ball to the shortstop behind second base. Matthew slowed as he rounded third, but scored easily…his first ever home run. His teammates mobbed him, and Scott even picked him up. When the RockHounds scored their second run of the inning, the game was called, as they were so far ahead that the MuckDogs wouldn’t be able to come back. Matthew was the only player to go three for three, score three runs, and drive in three runs. For the season, he leads his team in doubles. After the game the coach had his postgame comments, then reminded everyone that the team mom was having surgery today. The entire team gathered around her, then the coaches and parents gathered around to pray for her surgery. Someone suggested that Matthew should pray, since his home run prayer had been answered. Touching moment. Before the game the rival Bees easily beat the strong RiverBats in the other semi-final, meaning that Thursday’s championship game will be a tough one to win. We celebrated the win by eating at El Porton. Moes was closed after the game…closed at 9 pm! So we went to Ceil’s favorite Mexican restaurant, near the house. Watched the whole Braves game last night while writing that Matthew recap, and compiling stats and scouting reports for the big championship game tomorrow…I was up until one am, real late for me. Notes...I was just wondering if Diaz would turn out to be a .330+ hitter! ...I didn’t stick with the Padres game, but with Peavy mowing them down, I knew our only chance to win was for Smoltz to outduel him. Nice win. ...was reading an SI.com column yesterday on overrated players, and someone was compared to Claudell Washington…someone overpaid. Can’t remember who. I always thought Claudell did ok here, though I thought the ‘Washington slept here’ banners were funny. Will and I may take a quick trip to Ohio to see the Reds. I want to go when they play a day game after a night game, and Aug 9-10 looks good, against the Cards. Then we could hustle back to Chattanooga and see the Lookouts play that night, on the way home. If we went June 28-29, we could see the Louisville Bats play a day game, then see the Reds/Royals game that night. Those are the only combos that worked…I checked Rome, Knoxville, Lexington, Nashville, Asheville, and Greenville as well. I’m still checking the weekend games. We may stop at the Tennessee and Kentucky campuses.