Goodnight had a fast-pitch softball game yesterday after school. It began at 4:00. I arrived just in time to bring her a snack and a beverage and to watch the pre-game warm-up. It was a beautiful day to be outdoors. I brought my chair and a book to pass the time.
It was a home game, so the opposing team got to bat first. Three up. Three down.
GN’s team got up to bat and they faced some very inexperienced pitching: the ball went high, the ball went low, the ball went wide. GN’s team scored on walked batters. They scored a lot.
At the end of the first inning, the opposing coach pulled the pitcher and put in a second one.
She didn’t throw any wild pitches. She was basically bowling. GN’s team contined to score on balls that were “Low and outside.”
Admittedly, eighth graders like to score and win, but the game had become one of bowling practice and golfing as GN’s team took turns swinging at the low pitches just to see if they could hit themselves to first base.
At the end of the second inning, the second pitcher was pulled and the shortstop came in to take a turn on the mound.
The pattern of three up, three down and then GN’s team scoring on walks continued for another inning. The third pitcher remained in play.
In the bottom of the 4th inning, GN got up to bat, let some wild pitches go and then . . . got beaned in her right hand. She got hit because the uncontrolled throw came straight at her face. Luckily, she got her hand up in time to prevent that.
Batters hit by a wild pitch take the base immediately, just as if they were walked on balls, so GN headed to first base. I was seated near third. As she rounded the bases on the next few walks, she turned her back to me. I knew she was hurting, but she was intent on scoring before she cried.
When she crossed home plate, I walked over to the dugout and told her to gather her things because I was going to take her to the ER for an x-ray. I saw how the ball hit her and didn’t want to take any chances on those growing bones of hers.
In the photo below, GN was waiting for the final word on her x-rays.
Today, she’s sporting a new cast from her thumb to her elbow, a sling to support her arm so her thumb can be elevated and she is still in a lot of pain, but she headed off to school anyway. I told her to speak with her teachers and ask for a one-day extension on the homework that was due today. The ER run took so long that we didn’t get home until after 9 p.m. and still hadn’t eaten dinner. GN needed pain meds and a good night’s sleep.
When GN got to school today, she called me from the office and informed me that her math teacher didn’t believe her. What is the man thinking? How many times does one get to the ER, have nothing wrong with them and then have a cast put on? There were even school personnel in attendance at the game when the injury happened.
As for the outcome of the game: the slaughter rule doesn not go into effect until five innings have been completed. At the rate they were going, they were going to be there another hour after we left for the ER.
One final note for my own benefit, really: bring better snacks to the softball field, keep some in the car so they can serve as dinner in the event we are waiting for the wrist specialist to arrive in the Emergency Room. (I know GN couldn’t really have had anything to eat until they determined whether surgery was necessary or not, but it was a long time from lunch at 11:30 a.m. to dinner at 9:30 p.m.)
Must scoot. I am on my way to GN’s school for a meeting with that math teacher. I try not to pick too many battles, but this one is necessary to save face for GN. She did not lie about her injury, her trip to the ER or her cast. She physically saved her face from a hit by the ball and I am going to help save her face emotionally from the accusation of lying.
