Lucy the Mudhen Playing Softball

It had been a long time since we watched Lucy play softball.  Too long.  Back surgery last summer made it hard to travel much.  Her team, the Mudhens, travel a lot.  Mike and I were so excited to drive to Richland to watch her play 3 games.  Lucy is number 2.  Knowing her number makes it easier to find her in some of the pictures. I hear she is a "power hitter!"

Lucy plays shortstop most of the time and she is great at it.

Softball fields are challenging for picture taking because they are surrounded with chainlink fences.  I managed but have lots of distance pictures and side profiles.

Wow, what a great day to watch softball. Playing might have been a different story.  It was hot.  

Team conference. 

Lucy hit this ball but unfortunately the ball was in her running path and it hit her outside the box. That was a hard out.  

Field photo. 

Lucy got several hits and it is hard to remember if a hit was a single, double or something else.  It looks to me as you see the next few pictures that this hit was a a single. Then a stolen base!

A little break in the action. 

Nice slide into third.  

Batter up!

Very quick move to avoid getting hit by the pitch.  You can barely see the ball headed toward the catcher's glove after it brushed by Lucy. 

Here comes another hit!

And another slide!

Another player hit Lucy in! 

A score for the Mudhens!

Now announcing Lucy Lathrop at right field.

Here we go again.  

A blurry picture but another slide. 

While there was a break in the games these two decided to try out some bats.  Layne and Kristin.  

Kristin is still a slugger!

We switched to a different field for game number 3.  Lucy is on deck. 

This is what happens when you don't cooperate for pictures Layne.  

This is a great play.  Lucy fielded the ball at shortstop. 

She picked it up and got ready to toss it to second base. 

Almost there. 

And the runner is out!!!  Nice play all around!

Another move for Lucy.  Center field.  Put me in coach I am ready to play today.  Look at me I can be centerfield.  John Fogerty reference. Great baseball song. 

She is always ready!

Grandpa Mike relaxing, taking it all in. 

A ball was hit to right field and Lucy took off from center field.

She is really fast and has great softball instincts. 

I circled the ball in this picture. 

Lucy got to the ball first and

threw the ball into the infield!  Quick reactions and fast feet!

Kristin took a picture of me taking pictures. Charming!

Only one person paid attention to Kristin when she wanted to take a picture of the support crew. 

Sunday was Mother's Day and Lucy's team wore these shirts.  So special!  

As usual we had a great time watching Lucy thrive.  She is a precious young girl and we love her so much.  Each time we get to participate in her life it is a gift.  It was a great day with all the Lathrops.  We love them a bunch or maybe more than just one bunch. I had a great Mother's Day on Saturday!  The best.