The Gallagher Adventure

Check out the pictures of the softball playing kid. She plays with an intense attitude topped off with a smile as a hot grounder bounces off the ground toward her. She swings the bat with eloquence and fury. As the aluminum makes contact with the leather and her feet carry her as fast as they can to first base.

Her name: Alexis

Proud Parents: Chris and Carrie

Proud Sister and Brother: Emma and Caleb

Our little third baseman did something last week very few children due during the first few games — she smacked a home run!

The game started off with Alexis’s team in the field and Alexis on third base. The first batter drilled the ball to third base, Alexis stepped up, scooped the grounder and threw to first base, but not in time.

Four batters later there is a girl on first and second as another girls steps to the plate. The the ping of the aluminium bat, the ball bounces to third base and once again, Alexis scoops up the grounder, quickly touches second and proceeds to bring her arm back to throw to first, but decides it is better to hold the ball.

In the bottom of the second inning, Alexis is the first batter. The first pitch comes in nice and center. With the quick turn of the hands and a mighty swing, Alexis hit a blooper to third. The third basegirl tried to scoop the ball up but could not; Alexis rounded first and onto second. The third basegirl threw the ball to second but the second basegirl was wondering why Alexis was running past her. The blazing speed of the Gallagher came into play as Alexis rounded second and push hard to third.

The Right fielder was watching the game, but never noticed the ball rolling toward her. When she finally realized what was going on, Alexis had rounded third and barrelled home. As she crossed the plate, the ball was still in right field and I was livid with excitement. After all, I never hit a homerun in all my year of baseball and my 7 year old just did.

When I cheered her on after she crossed the plate, I said, “YOU HIT A HOMERUN!!!” Her response was well worth quoting, “Yeah, I did.” The expression of her words was humble and calm. I would have been jumping in the dugout, but she took her place on the bench, put her helmet away and dank her Gatorade.

What can I say, it was a proud daddy moment!