Saturday was the much anticipated
High Desert Little League
Opening Ceremony!!
Per tradition,
the forecast called for rain!
The League decided we were trudging forward regardless this year.
Let's just say
they cancelled it an hour into the event
because we were all drenched with no end in sight!
Even though it ended up getting cancelled early,
it'll definitely be a memorable event!
Yes because of the rain
but also because we got to meet this legend!!
Luis Gonzales!!
Ok I just couldn't wait to share that part
before I talked about the rest of the event! lol
Now back to the Ceremony....
before I talked about the rest of the event! lol
Now back to the Ceremony....
The Parade of Players
The 3 Coaches' daughters waiting for the parade to begin
And don't forget the littlest daughter!
And the coach's wifey!
We found our team lined up to make their walk around the track.
(We are gray shirts, white pants, red hats)
Although it was freezing,
the coaches had the kids take off their coats in order to look more presentable.
Needless to say the rain started soon after
and the coats went right back on!
Somehow they were still smiling as it just rained away on them!
(Anden is middle of the line in a red/black coat)
Coach GJ telling them,
"Ok act like you're not freezing and smile!"
as they got ready to walk in front of the wet fans in the bleachers!
(the wind had also kicked up at this point, notice the umbrella lol)
After the teams made the track loop,
they huddled together on the football field
while the Ceremony began.
Mother Nature got a kick out of their vulnerability in the open field
and it poured and poured during all of this!
Then the HDLL board talked for a bit
and the Diamondbacks VPs chimed in too.
Luis Gonzales even braved the rain to talk as well.
Then the HDLL President cancelled the event
and promised to schedule another Family Fun Day.
He was barely finished making that announcement before
the mass exodus to the cars began!!
I noticed Ryan immediately bolt over to Luis Gonzalez
with Anden and got a ball signed and that picture with Anden taken!
Luckily one of the main directors on the HDLL board goes to church with us
and had given us the heads up that Luis would be there.
So we were prepared! lol
I gathered up the girls and we headed onto the football field
to rescue the boys.
Good thing the day before I had realized the Coaches hadn't
ordered the team banner
and I scrambled to hurry and design one and have it printed
because it became the best team umbrella ever! lol
The coaches were holding it up and all the little boys
were huddled underneath! lol
We quickly started heading to the car
but not without me stopping at the crowd surrounding Luis
and tapping him on the shoulder.
He turned around and I shook his hand
and thanked him for still coming out in the pouring rain!
Laiklyn loved watching the action
while sitting up like a big girl in her stroller
(and hiding under the cover from the rain!)
(Anden is middle of the line in a red/black coat)
Coach GJ telling them,
"Ok act like you're not freezing and smile!"
as they got ready to walk in front of the wet fans in the bleachers!
(the wind had also kicked up at this point, notice the umbrella lol)
After the teams made the track loop,
they huddled together on the football field
while the Ceremony began.
Mother Nature got a kick out of their vulnerability in the open field
and it poured and poured during all of this!
We still managed to say the pledge of allegiance, sing the national anthem,
say the Little League anthem and have an opening prayer.
Mattie and Laiklyn trying to stay warm and dry!
and the Diamondbacks VPs chimed in too.
Luis Gonzales even braved the rain to talk as well.
Then the HDLL President cancelled the event
and promised to schedule another Family Fun Day.
He was barely finished making that announcement before
the mass exodus to the cars began!!
I noticed Ryan immediately bolt over to Luis Gonzalez
with Anden and got a ball signed and that picture with Anden taken!
Luckily one of the main directors on the HDLL board goes to church with us
and had given us the heads up that Luis would be there.
So we were prepared! lol
I gathered up the girls and we headed onto the football field
to rescue the boys.
Good thing the day before I had realized the Coaches hadn't
ordered the team banner
and I scrambled to hurry and design one and have it printed
because it became the best team umbrella ever! lol
The coaches were holding it up and all the little boys
were huddled underneath! lol
We quickly started heading to the car
but not without me stopping at the crowd surrounding Luis
and tapping him on the shoulder.
He turned around and I shook his hand
and thanked him for still coming out in the pouring rain!
He was so nice and said he wouldn't have missed it!
There are tons of different Little Leagues around the Valley.
But he said he wanted to come to High Desert Little League
because we are known to be one of the best ran leagues!
I couldn't agree more!
I'm so impressed as well!
We're blessed to have the very best facilities
and volunteers to make it all happen!
I'm happy that GJ and Ryan get to coach again
and that Tracy and I can scramble behind the scenes keeping it all organized. lol
As we were unloading back at the house
I made the boys stop for a picture.
Maybe next time Ryan will listen to me and bring a coat or umbrella.
He was soaked compared to Anden!
Later that afternoon as we were snuggling inside
while it continued to pour outside,
we taught Anden about who Luis Gonzalez is
and why it's important to keep practicing.
We showed him the video of the
2011 World Series
Game 7
Bottom of 9th inning
Tie game
2 outs
Luis up to bat...
And that's why we play baseball!
I have to admit I got a bit emotional reliving that World Series
and now watching it through the eyes of my son for the first time!
No comments:
Post a Comment