Worst to First

This past weekend was the end of the 4th season for my church small group softball team, Ignite. We started playing last fall when our coach helped out the flower mound parks and recreation staff by adding a second team that he coached. By helping them out, he got them to not schedule both teams to play at the same time (the teams play in 2 different leagues at the same park).

Anyway, our first season last fall ended without us getting a single win... and the games weren't all that pretty. But it was a humbling learning experience. The Spring season had us being a bit more competitive, nearly beating the undefeated league leader in the next to last game and finally busting through with our first team win to end the season.

Next, during the summer season we continued to see progress, with us winning our first game (a 2 game winning streak!). Our only other win during the summer was when we were lucky enough to play that same team again. So, the progress is 0 wins in the fall 2007, 1 win in the spring, and 2 wins in the summer.

This year's fall league saw us start out 1-4 (with the one win against the same summer league team we beat twice). However, based on how the league was playing out, the 4th playoff team would be at most 4-4. And that is when the streak began... we started playing decent defense and had some of the big bats showing up more and more. We ended up winning our last 3 games to make it into the playoffs as the 4th seed.

Our first playoff game, be it on a fairly chilly night, was a bit of an offensive (and defensive) adventure... but ended up being 15-15 and went to extra innings. As the visitors we were able to string together a few runs and managed to only give up 1 run. Next, we got to sit around for an hour before we played in the final. That game was a bit better played and I think the other team scored 6 (or all 7) of their runs in 1 innning. In a team effort, we won that game in 7 full innings, 11-7.

You would've thought that we had won the lottery... but it was a team effort. And add to it, we didn't bring in any 'ringers'... we won with the same team we played with all season long. FYI, I believe the trophy will be traveling from place to place, kinda like the Stanley Cup, so look for the celebration parties all around town this holiday season. Great job Ignite!