Olivia's Adventures Abroad: The Race Has Begun..

Sunday we had our first games since the 3 week break. We played the Blue Stars at their field which was not nearly as nice as our field. I could barely stand in the dugout without hitting my head so that was awesome. I started the first game pitching and did well, but still not that great. I think I gave up like 4 hits, all on screw balls that were not screwing. None of them could hit the outside pitch so we just stuck to throwing a lot of curveballs which did not help my back situation so much. I also "hit" a girl, but thats debatable. The ball went behind her, on the ground, and the umpire said dead ball but the girl never moved towards first so i'm still wondering how it hit her and she didnt feel it, but oh well. We won the first game 2-0. I didnt hit because of my back. OH and we were given orange socks from our coach Gyselle so I officially feel like a soccer player in my dumb shorts (i miss wearing our pants if you couldnt tell) and bright orange socks. They go really well with my MAROON cleats btw..heres proof:

My coach came up to me between games and asked if we really really really needed it could I be the reliever the 2nd game and I told her of course I would. We were winning the second game 4-0 going into the last inning. Then we kind of fell apart a little bit and they scored a run so it was 4-1. Then a couple of walks and hits and Gyselle told me to go warm my arm up. After I got warm again, the bases were loaded and she made the decision to put me in. The umpire from the first game was on the bases this game and he spoke pretty good english I noticed the first game. After I threw my few pitches on the field he came up to me to let me know the situation I was being brought into. He said "one out, bases loaded, good luck" before walking back to his position. Haha I thanked him for the luck and got to work. The first batter I faced popped up a curve ball to our catcher, Denise. 2 outs with bases loaded. The last batter gave me a bit of a struggle but she eventually had a weak ground ball to me that I tossed to Denise and the game was over. We won 4-1.

This was the most fielding i've done in a long time. During the first game I fielded a few bunts and a couple ground balls, as well as the last ground ball of the 2nd game. And I only had ONE semi-bad throw that was a little low and catchable but she didnt catch it cleanly so oh well. It was fun to be playing the field again from the mound instead of letting everyone else take everything.

After the game Elmo told me that he was proud of me. I asked him why and he said because even with my back killing me I went back in the 2nd game and did well. I thought that was very nice of him. Between games Margreet brought me one of their chairs with a pillow for my back and gave me a very big hug and a kiss on the cheek. It was really sweet. Barbara massaged my back for me again after the game and after being stiff the past few days I finally felt good again yesterday, just in time for practice! I felt good and had a good throwing day. I felt strong and threw my pitches with more precision than I have been. I also played 2nd base today and I did legit. ha.

After practice on Thursday night I will be going with our other coach, Ed, to a really famous physiotherapist here to have him see what he can do for my back. My coach Gyselle and her dad, Ed know him and hooked me up so Ed will take me after practice and then bring me back home. Hopefully he can help in some way!

Today is Lotte's 16th bday so there have been family and friends in and out of the house all day. The weather sucks. Cold and raining off and on. I miss the sun right now!

We have home games on Sunday against Wassenaar. We are currently in 3rd place and have to win the rest of our games from here on out to get 2nd place and move up to the top level for next season. I think we can do it, my team is very good on defense and offense. I'll let you know how bad we kill Wassenaar on Sunday :] until then...Doei! (means bye bye, ta ta, so long, see you, etc)

Love, Olivia