Baseball and Softball Seasons Come to an End

This past week saw our spring sports seasons end. Griffin's team lost their first playoff game. He went 0-2, but reached on a dropped 3rd strike (and scored) and walked in his last plate appearance. He also got a chance to be involved in a play while playing 3rd base.It was an interesting season for Griffin, with a steep learning curve due to having kids pitching, but he improved a bunch.

Cami's team lost both of their games. Unfortunately, their bats cooled off at the end of the season.  She played a bunch at shortstop, and was able to make a couple of plays. I think she had a couple of hits, but I can't remember for sure. It was a good, fun season for Cami, and she improved a ton. You could see the confidence growing with each game.

Upcoming events: Summer church camps, and basketball camp for Griffin.

Sporting News

Due to weather, Griffin's baseball tournament was postponed to this coming week. Cami, on the other hand, had 3 softball games. Her team went 1-2, and she was 2-8 at the plate. She also had multiple opportunities to field the ball while playing shortstop. One hit came at her so fast, it bounced and nearly stuck in her glove without her even noticing it.  Her tournament starts on Monday.

Lexi had basketball and tennis camps this past week, and Cami had tennis camp.

The summer is off to a busy start!

End of School and Games

Griffin and Cami celebrated the end of 2nd grade, receiving their certificates of completion. Lexi "graduated" from 5th grade and will be moving into the middle school next year.

Griffin had one game this week (a loss) and was unable to get a hit. However, he did reach base on a walk and a dropped third strike, so he was able to run the bases a little. He also saw a little action at 3rd base. He has a tournament game (possibly two) this week, and then the season is over. 

Cami had a game (also a loss) and got two hits, scoring once. She had a lot of action at shortstop and 3rd base, and is working hard on her fielding. She has two games this week, and then a tournament next week.

Also, the girls have several camps this week. Lexi will be keeping busy with basketball and tennis, while Cami will be attending tennis camp after going to basketball last week.

The summer is starting in full swing!

Baseball/Softball Career Bests

Cami had two games this past week. For some reason, she really struggled to hit in the first game. In addition, her team lost. However, the second game was a completely different story. She got a hit each time she was up, going 3 for 3. She also scored 3 runs. Late in the game, she had two balls hit to her at 3rd base and made nice plays, with good throws, on each of them.

Griffin had one game. While it was a walk-fest (lots of bases loaded walks, the "most exciting play in baseball" according to the sarcastic SportsCenter guys), Griffin did well. He did walk twice, and was hit on the head his other time up. He also scored 3 runs. Additionally, while he had no balls hit to him, he did cough so hard he puked while playing shortstop (he had been sick during the week).  His team won (possibly their first victory) and Griffin was awarded a game ball.

All in all, it was a very successful week for the twins. Each has a game this coming week, and to top it off, its the last week of school!

Games and Rain

Another busy week.  Lexi participated in the 4 event elementary track and field competition. Her practice night was rained out, so she did a little practice and then competed on the same night. There were three girls in her age division, and Lexi finished in 2nd twice and 3rd twice. She did pretty good in the 100m sprint. She was in 2nd coming around the last turn on the 400m, but then discovered how tough a race it was. She couldn't breathe very well, which caused her to be passed. She threw shot (a softball for the girls) and finished 3rd. The final event was long jump and it was her best performance. She ended up in 2nd by 2 inches, but the coaches were very complimentary of her form. She did well and had a fun time.

Cami's team came back to tie their game in the bottom of the last inning (there is a time limit rule, so no extra innings). She was 1 for 2 with a single, and had a couple of chances in the field, playing 2nd base.

Griffin's team started their game in the rain, and with only 7 official players (a source of frustration to me). After two pretty rain-soaked innings, the game was called, which was unfortunate, because it was the best the team had played so far.  Griffin was 1-2, with a single, RBI, and a run scored. He played 3rd base and didn't have any chances to field the ball.

This week, the girls have volleyball camp, Cami has 2 games, and Griffin has practice and a game.

Weekend Update

Griffin had a baseball game Friday night, and he was the starting pitcher. It was his first time and he pitched to four batters. He hit the first kid right between the shoulder blades, then walked the next three. However, he nearly struck out one of the batters. It was a good learning experience. He had his best hitting game to this point, as well. He grounded out to the pitcher his first at bat, but made good contact. He walked the second time, and was safe at first his third time up when the first baseman dropped the throw. He also fielded a ball in left field. Although his team lost, he was smiling ear to ear after the game.

Cami had to miss her game due to illness, but we were told they won.

Lexi had a choir concert on Monday. She sang beautifully. She then had 6th grade orientation on Thursday night. It was quite amusing watching her try to open a locker. I can't believe she'll be in middle school next school year.

Knight Family Update

At the end of a very busy week, Lexi had a piano recital, Cami had a softball game, Griffin had a baseball game, and I coached/supervised our middle school team in an academic competition.

Lexi played Fur Elise at a local nursing home. She played beautifully.

Cami's team may have lost by 1 or won the game, we aren't really sure. However, Cami went 1-2 and got to field a ball this week while she played shortstop. Her next game is on Saturday.

Griffin's team played with 7 players, but were actually tied going into the 3rd inning. They eventually lost, simply because they didn't have anyone who could pitch.  Griffin walked twice and struck out once.  His second walk was a bases loaded walk, so he actually drove a run in (I'm not sure if that counts as an RBI). He also got to field a ball while playing 2nd base. His next game is Friday.

Rant time: having 8-9 year olds pitch is ridiculous. Griffin's game was over 1 1/2 hours, but only three innings. Fewer than 10 balls were hit, with a couple of those being fouls. There were at minimum 20 walks, and that was with some questionable pitches being called as strikes. Most batters are lucky to get one decent pitch to hit. There is a lot of unrest among the parents, and even with a few coaches. It is painful to watch, and the boys are neither learning to hit or to field balls, since very few get put into play. It's disappointing.

Rant over. Have a nice week. We have a choir concert, practices, ball games, and (gulp) sixth grade orientation.

First week of Baseball/Softball

Cami and Griffin had their first games this week, in and around all our rain and wind.

Cami's team won, 3-2 (I think). It was a pretty tight game. Cami was 1-2, with a single. She eventually made it around to 3rd, but did not score. She didn't really have any balls hit to her at shortstop, but was involved in a relay once. Her second game was rained out.

Griffin's team tied, 4-4 (time limit and darkness). This is his first year (and most of his team's) of kid pitch, so there were a lot of walks and strikeouts. Griffin went 0-3, but got a little more confident with each at-bat. He played in the outfield and didn't have any chances.

Yesterday, because of rain, Trisha and I took the twins to a batting cage (Lexi was at a friend's house). It was cool watching them begin hitting better. They had a good time, and hopefully their hitting will carry over into practice and the games.

In addition to sports, this week Lexi has a piano recital, playing with other kids at a local nursing home.

The Season(s) Come to an End

Today, the twins (un)officially ended their respective seasons, as we won't be able to attend the last games.  Unfortunately for Cami, her game was canceled because the other team didn't have enough players. She did have a hit in her last game, though.  Griffin, on the other hand, had two games and created a lot of excitement with the one hit he got in each game.  In his first game, Griffin was standing on 1st base when the next batter hit it to deep 2nd.  Griffin over ran 2nd base by about 5 feet, then realized he was going to be tagged out and began running to 3rd, where one of his teammates was already on base.  The quick thinking 3rd base coach sent that runner, allowing Griffin to get to 3rd safely.  Then, the fielder overthrew 3rd base, so Griffin rounded 3rd, went outside the base path by a wide margin and slid into home.  Except, his slide was about 2 feet short, so he popped up and tagged home plate.  It was pretty amusing.  Today, he made it to 1st okay, but the ball squirted past the 1st baseman and he was sent to 2nd.  His teammate (who was on 2nd, heading to 3rd), turned around and headed back to 2nd, and was subsequently tagged out.  The next batter hit it, and Griffin ran to 3rd, then was waved on to home, where he slid a little better this time.  As a bonus, he pretty much covered his right side in dirt.

I was really happy with how Cami and Griffin grew in their respective sports. I could see the confidence growing with each play, and am extremely proud of them.

Enjoy the picture of Griffin, sporting the dirt from around home plate.

Safe at home!

More Ball Games

This past week, Griffin had one game and Cami had two.  All were losses, unfortunately.  Griffin didn't get any hits, although he did hit a couple pitches foul.  Cami had two hits, a run, and a nice defensive play (tagged the runner going to 2nd base) in the first game.  She had another hit and a run in the second game, and just missed a couple more hits as she was thrown out at 1st on close plays.  Two baseball games and one softball game this week, and then the kids are done for the season.

Additionally, Trisha and I accompanied the twins on their field trip to the zoo.  It was a good time: beautiful weather and some active animals.  It was also funny watching Griffin and his two friends with the zoo maps trying to direct us to the next exhibit.

The twins at the zoo

Lastest 'Ball Update

So Cami had one game this week.  She didn't get any hits, but did put a solid shot right back at the pitcher.  She fielded a ball, as well.  However, her excitement came as her team scored a run with two outs in the bottom of the last inning to win the game.  It was very cool.

Griffin had his second and third games of the week on Thursday and Saturday.  Unfortunately, they lost both games.  On Thursday, Griffin struggled with his hitting, and didn't really have any chances in the field.  On Saturday he was a star.  He went 3 for 3, scored 2 runs (and slid for effect both times), and had an RBI.  He was involved in several plays at 2nd Base, and tagged a runner out on one.  He also nearly made a spectacular play going to his right; he reached his glove out as he passed over the base and almost fielded the ball.  It would have been SportsCenter worthy.

All in all, a very busy week for the Knight clan.  Now, we have ten days off from games, so the schedule will slow a little.  Plus, Lexi gets to do her thing at her choir concert on Tuesday.

Mid-Week Sports Update

Griffin had a game last night.  The team lost, but Griffin had his best offensive game so far.  He had two singles and scored a run.  He also fielded a ball while playing outfield.  Two more games this week, so more news to come.

Ball Games

Each of the twins had two games this week, and Cami had a third canceled due to rain.  Cami's team tied one, and won one.  In the first game she had 2 hits, an RBI, and scored 2 runs.  No hits in the second game, but she fielded a couple of balls in the outfield.

Griffin lost one, and won one.  In the loss, he had a hit and scored a run.  He also fielded quite a few balls, and even got a force out while playing 2nd Base.  No hits in the second game, but he did hit a good drive to the pitcher and was thrown out at 1st.

More action coming next week.

Softball/Baseball Update

Cami had two games this week, finally getting in the win column on Saturday with a nice all-around team effort.  On Tuesday, Cami nearly tagged a girl at 3rd Base, played an inning at catcher (she volunteered, then immediately began regretting it), and had an RBI groundout.  Saturday she got her first hit of the season (and 2nd RBI), advancing to 2nd on an over-throw.  She eventually scored a run, as well.  Two more games next week, if the weather holds.

The World's Cutest Catcher

Griffin, in his first ever game, had one hit.  He played several innings at 2nd Base, as well as Rightfielder and Leftfielder.  He fielded multiple balls, including a really nice stop at 2nd.  Team-wise, the boys lost, but they have another chance on Monday.

Rockin' #6

At 2nd Base