Update and This weekend in Florida.

I feel guilty for not updating this like I said I would . Last weekend the team only played one game on Sunday. I guess Georgia State did not want to move around their game times to accommodate MU. There were issues with the scheduling of the game time and flight time. Nevertheless, MU didn't play again on Sunday, maybe no one wanted to face Chelsea again. But then again, if you've seen her throw, do you blame them for not wanting to play? 

So the team came home 3 - 0. Not a bad start to the season. We moved up in the rankings to 15th. 

Now on to this weekend!

The team left Thursday for Boca Raton, FL. I will admit I'm jealous I didn't get to go. Who knew with the economy that even a lowly manager position would be affected. I have not been able to travel because of the budget. That's what they keep telling me, so I keep staying at home, and trying to blog about softball from Columbia. 

Ok, so the girls just won their first game. Thank goodness to the amazing technology of gametracker I was able to watch the last two innings of the game against FIU. MU won 7-0. They should play again today. 

I haven't heard much from the team. I guess Kara locked her keys in the van last night! I could just picture it now, Kara mad and cursing under her breath. I wonder if we are the only team that has to travel in conversion vans. That topic is worth a whole post all by itself. 

Well Julie says everything is going smoothly. Which is weird, considering there is always something that happens.  They still have two more days, I'm sure someone will find a way to embarrass themselves or someone else! 

If you want to keep up with Game Tracker, here's the tournament website with links. 

http://fausports.cstv.com/sports/w-softbl/spec-rel/09-fau-strike-out-tourney.html

High Five!

Nichole 

Sunday.

Well I don't have much time. I rushed home to check to see what the latest news is on my Tiger Softball team. I know they beat Georgia State 6-2 earlier today. I don't know the latest on what they did in the championship game.... or who they played.

I know this is a pretty disappointing post... but I will have more up tonight once I get an opportunity to talk to some players!

High Five!
Nichole

Day 1

First off - Happy Valentines Day everyone!

Secondly... Congrats Tigers! 2-0 on the day!

The team is in Atlanta, GA this weekend. Although I am not able to be with them, I am still celebrating their successes back in Columbia, MO.

Since I was not able to travel this weekend, I was anxious to come home and check the updates on the games. Go to www.mutigers.com for a news read on the team's first two outings.

What I was most impressed with after reading about the games was the fact that there were multiple players' names listed as contributing at the plate. Rhea Talor continues to do a great job of getting on base and relying on other teammates to score her. Andee Allen is staying true to form with hits to the right side so that baserunners can advance.

Ah! I'm so proud of these girls! I've been in the Pavillion with them, to late practices, cold practices, long practices, and from my perspective it's wonderful to see all the skills and abilities come together.

What a great way for Jana to start the season, getting the ball for the first game. MU beat Evansville 4-2. The next matchup was with Virginia Tech. Last year the two teams split, but man! To beat them 10-0 this year... what a pounding! It's nice to see... oops I mean read about how the hard work is paying off.

I'm not kidding myself, this is the first day of the season. I'm excited for the team. Going back to the grind of practice won't be so awful next week. The beginning of season is so helpful for practices because the girls finally get to utilize the skills they've been honing for months.

I'll be in church tomorrow morning so I won't post until afternoon or evening. I'm going to text a few of the players... see what's going on off the field. I have no doubt there will be great and funny stories to share.

Until then....
High Five!
Nichole

Last Practice Before Season

Well, this is it. The team is going to intersquad for the last time before the season gets underway. This is always such a weird time because players, coaches and managers all have to transition into a new routine, again. 

The team will fly out of Columbia tomorrow en route to Atlanta, GA. I already have been told I will not be traveling this weekend. With budget cuts and the economy we can not afford for all the players even to travel. By my not going, one more player will be able to, which is bittersweet. I'm glad there is another girl able to go, but I was excited about the trip. My husband and I already made alternate Valentines day plans. Oh well. 

I'm sorry I won't be on the road and able to blog about the craziness of Mizzou Softball Travels. I'm hoping to talk to a few players while they are away, and I could possibly report on the happenings through their eyes. 

Hope everyone will enjoy a great weekend! Stay tuned! 

High Five!

Nichole 

Game on Tuesday 2.10.09

Weird. Just checked my email and the practice schedule for the week shows MU playing against Central Methodist on Tuesday beginning at 5 p.m. News to me! I suppose it will be nice to get a game in on our own field before we leave for Georgia! 

High Five! 

Nichole 

Black and Gold Game

Today the team played in the annual Black and Gold game. The team was divided into two squads who played against each other for 11 innings!
The weather in Columbia was BEAUTIFUL today. The team was able to play on their own field with the sun shinning the entire afternoon.

The team was able to put the ball in play multiple times during the course of the 3 hour game! Jaydee Young hit the only home run on the day. Micaela Minner also hit a long ball that everyone but the umpire agreed was a home run! The black team won, although I can't remember the score of the game. If you would like more information about the game itself visit www.mutigers.com for a recap of the game.

I myself had a busy day today with the softball team. We are traveling in less than a week and so I'm starting to put together the camera bag and all the tripods I will need to take with me to travel. So before the game today I was busy gathering equipment and storing it all in one bag.

In the dugout before the game started today I learned how to get big forearms from Gina Schneider. She told us the story about when she was young and how her grandpa told her if she wanted strong arms she should open and close her hands quickly and to do that for a long time. She then demonstrated this process for us! Always a great person to have around if you need to be entertained. Some might say she is only good for jokes and electronics, but she has many more endearing qualities. I also learned that she gets picked on by her roommates. I didn't want to believe it at first, but Gina made me feel sorry for her the way she told her stories! Nevertheless we all had a great laugh.

I am excited for this year. It was so wonderful to be able to play outside today and have all the parents there to watch. It's like a big family; and I enjoyed catching up with many of the parents.

It was a long day though. I had to operate the cameras today which involved running back and forth to film left handed and right handed batters. Going 11 innings straight was hard work. And after the game I was able to entertain my mom and dad and the Nash family with dinner at my house. I'm exhausted now!

Well, the girls will get back to practicing on Monday. I will more than likely not be there, but if anything exciting happens, you know I'll be the first to let you know!

High Five!
Nichole

Thursday's Practice

The team was able to get out on the dirt today which was wonderful for everyone! This is especially true for outfielders because they are able to better judge a ball off the bat, versus being inside the Dan Devine Pavilion. 

There was a rough start to practice, but the team settled down and got some great work in today on the field. 

The coaches have set up tivo for the girls so during batting practice they can take their swings on the field, then come in the dugout to watch them with Coach E! Yay for technology! 

Tomorrow the team will intersquad for 10 innings to prepare for the Black and Gold Game on Saturday! 

Season is just days away! 

Get excited Tiger Fans, you won't want to miss the next five months! 

High Five! ... Nichole