The little league baseball playoffs kicked off this evening with the set of games no one really wanted to play in: the sole round of single elimination, win-or-go-home match-ups between the lowest-ranked teams. By virtue of placing in the top four, Brady's team didn't have to play, but Isaac's oft-beleaguered Braves --who finished the season in 9th (out of 10) place-- took to the field for their one shot at advancing to double elimination play.
They executed what's become their patented fall-behind-early routine, but this time --thanks to some great defense-- they didn't let their opponent get too far ahead. Then they executed their also-patented late-game-comeback routine, and led by two runs entering the bottom of the final inning. The other team scored one run, and with just one out recorded, another runner on base and the outcome of the game looking specious for our boys, something amazing happened: the batter hit a fly ball to shallow left, which the shortstop (who was playing deep) snagged to record out number two. Then with the tying run bolting for home, he gunned what can only be termed a perfect bullet to the catcher, who caught that perfectly thrown ball perfectly and then applied the tag to the runner well-before his foot had a chance to hit the plate. The home plate umpire called him out, and boom, game over.
They have absolutely struggled with throwing out runners at the plate all season long --it's part of why they've lost so many games-- but they got it together and nailed it when it really mattered. It was an awesome moment for both the boys and for us parents. We went completely nuts screaming (which was a challenge for me because I've mostly lost my voice thanks to what I'm guessing is a head cold. But I powered through).
It's been a hard-luck kind of season for these Braves, so victory is so, so sweet. And when we got home, I was so, so happy to hear Isaac gleefully exclaim "right, because I need it again on Wednesday!" after Adam told him to toss his uniform in the wash. Those little happy-maker moments are some of the best things life has to offer, I think. And today I'm thankful for this one.
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