Sunday we had a free day so we loaded the baseball boys and some parents up and rode the bus to Memphis to watch the Redbirds, a Triple A team for the Cardinals, and then a player's parents took us all to Joe's Crab Shack for dinner. We had a nice day with the boys and I think they really enjoyed the outing after all the waiting around we'd been doing.
On Monday we finally were able to play our first game...and we won against Southside Bee Branch! Played again Tuesday...and we won against Norfork...sending us to the Final Four! Woohoo! On Wednesday @ 2:30 we played the Viola Longhorns in the semifinals and we lost 11-1.
It is always so sad for the seniors and it really makes our entire family sad when basketball or baseball comes to an end for another group of seniors. My kids cry, I cry, the parents cry, the boys cry, the coaches cry...it's just a sad ending...and one we repeat year after year after year.
If the players Marty had on his team were turds (our family word we use for kids who do not behave) then we would be glad to see the year end for each sport...but that's just not the case. Marty is so blessed to have year after year a group of boys that are just good kids. It's rare these days and I believe his discipline for his team makes kids who could easily go either way into fine young men. We love each and every player and it is so hard to see them graduate every year. But, we do it again next year and Marty gives his all to coach them in basketball and baseball knowing that unless we win state every year...we end every season with a loss...and tears...and our entire family is emotionally and physically exhausted by the end of the season...but we are fired up to do it again by October when the ball is throw up at center court and in March when the umpire yells "play ball!"
"Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance." Titus 2:2
