Professional Softball!

Saturday we went back to Disney's Wide Wold of Sports for more softball. We brought Lauren's friend and teammate, Stephanie. (We met a lot of girls from the girls' teams at the game.) This time we went to watch the Pros play! The Central Florida Pride was playing a double header against the Chicago Bandits. The Pride has lots of big names in softball: Olympians Natasha Watley, Jessica Mendoza, Kelly Kretchman, Cat Osterman, Lauren Lapin, and Andrea Duran, and other outstanding College players like Megan Willis and Francesca Enea.

The Chicago team's biggest name was Jennie Finch who will be retiring from softball after this season. She was the big draw for many of the fans. The Chicago team also featured 4 of the best bats in the league. One of the girls we were with actually got the home run ball that the league leader hit. They had to leave early and asked me if we could get her to sign it for them. We were able to get her signature along with lots of others on balls the girls had brought from home.

After the first game they had a really nice tribute to the career of Jennie Finch. It was crazy to hear Jessica Mendoza telling about how she and Jennie had been playing against each other since they were 11 years old. Team USA was the only time they finally got to play together. All the players said what an asset she has been to the success of softball and the her genuine niceness has been so nice for anyone who has ever come in contact with her.

We were able to line up after the game and get signatures. As you can see the kids were several girls thick. I was impressed that Lauren and Renee were able to get as many signatures as they did. We also got a "picture" with Jennie Finch. Of course half the girls and Jennie weren't quite ready for the shot, but we got it!
One of Lauren's friends and I chased down a foul ball that bounced off the upper deck and landed down the row from me. I gave it to Stephanie because she was the closest kid to the ball. Later the girls went up into the upper section to try for some more, but no more fouls came their way.

By the time two games were played and signatures were gotten, it was really late. We drove through McD's and then headed home. By the time the girls got in bed it was 2am. The girls had such a great time!