OCTOBER 18 UPDATE
MELISSA PENA
One of the highly recruited players in the Class of 2005, Melissa “Missy” Pena, pitcher for the Miami Mini Canes, has committed to Stanford.
OTHER COMMITMENTS
Melissa Pura ss, San Jose Strikkers, has commited to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.
Jennifer Newman, SS, AZ Suncats, has committed to UNLV.
So Cal Breakers
Erin Floros (Catcher) SDSU
Katie Nelson (Pitcher) Fresno State
Laura Determan (Pitcher) Villanova University
Irvine Sting
1. Lauren Petersen catcher/OF Villanova University
2. Monica Alnes pitcher/OF San Diego State University now with SoCal Athletics
St Louis Chaos
Sarah Clynes, P, St.Louis Chaos, to University ILLinois Chicago
Christy Leath, C-3B, St.Louis Chaos, to Boston University
So Cal Vipers Gold
Nicole Lee Catcher / 3rd Temple University
Bri Jones 2nd / OF Morehead State
HOTSHOTS TOURNAMENT CORRECTIONS
FYI Delong Outlaws first basemen Rachelle Federico is only 15 she will be turning 16 on 10/26.
Aimee Kemp was the winning pitcher in the Beach Girls win over CA Select.
ME AND METHUSELAH
When Methuselah had reached the great age of one hundred and eighty-seven years he became the father of Lamech. I have no such ambitions – just to get through each season in reasonable financial and physical health.
But, there were moments at the Hotshots when I felt like Methuselah. Began Friday night at a coaches meeting when the LIU coach, whose humor does not amuse me, made disparaging remarks about my age. Then, a Lionette parent on Saturday did the same. Later, a Fresno Force parent told me he did not take out a year’s subscription to the magazine because he heard I would be dead within a year. (The purpose of the magazine is not solely to provide subscribers six issues but to defray the costs of the news service.) Finally, a Hotshots parent slapped me hard on the back of the neck, laughing, to shoo away a fly. Said he did not know I had three broken vertebrae or that I had been hit in the neck by a line drive at Boulder. He apologized. Still not a good excuse for hitting someone. Beyond the physical pain, there was the tension created when your mind – and sense of propriety – overcome the body’s natural tendency to cause another human being a world of hurt.
People, I am very candid about my health. I have lived eight years beyond the date I should have died from an incurable case of gnathastoma spinigerium. I am diabetic and a recovering cancer patient who faces more surgery on December 9th to correct a severe case of neuropathy, and takes ten drugs every morning just to get through the day. More, I have multiple fractures of the cervical, lumbar, and thorassic areas of my spine – from two automobile accidents and another, classified matter. Both knees are shot. I lost the hearing in one ear flying open-cockpit airplanes, and I wear trifocals because I wouldn’t recognize my own Mother in center field without them (my leftbeye was knocked out in an accident on a trapeze). Every day I am home, I am in one of two hospitals for physical therapy.
On top of that, I will be 69 on November 7th, having spent the majority of those years chasing various adventures all over the world – and my body is paying the price. I am in great pain, daily, but I have no regrets. As Orson Welles said, I have seen the dark side of the moon. I gave the merry-go-round of life a big spin, and when it stops, I will have no regrets.
But, until the coffin lid closes (old Irish saying), I am out there at every opportunity – reporting on your daughters and their teams.
If anyone else thinks I am too old, keep it to yourself.
SOME PLEASANT AFTERTHOUGHTS
A major factor in my enjoyment of tournaments is the renewal of friendships with current and former players, coaches and parents. Rick and Barbara Jones hosted me as a guest in their very pleasant house, and Lisa came home with a Shocker teammate, Brook. I got over to ASU and watched a very spirited Sun Devil practice, while enjoying chats with Linda Wells, and assistants Stacey Farnworth and Jessica Bashor, who cooked an excellent dinner for me. Rick Beach came to the tournament; one of the smarter ASA commissioners when he held that post; ASA needs to weed out many of the old guard.
Also home from school were two Notre Dame players, Katie Laing and Stephanie Brown, cheering on their former Firecracker team. Other former stars on hand were Crystal Draper Kirsten Voak (whom I first wrote about at a national championship in Phoenix her senior year in highschool), and former ASU assistant Anne Pederson, whom a number of young players said they would like to see become the next ASU head coach.
Finally, I want to compliment the Hotshots organization. Tournaments are tough gigs; these parent volunteers put in very long hours. We thank them.
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