Couldn't be a more proud mom. . .

. . . if Daniel had hit a home run!

On Thursday night, the Burros had a late game (8:00 p.m.) and I was a little reluctant to go (and wondered if anyone would notice if I came to the game in my pj's). As it turned out, I would have been kicking myself if I'd missed it and it was worth sitting through almost two hours to get to see what happened at the end.

I think it was the sixth inning (there wasn't a working scoreboard, and that's the only way I usually know the score, inning, number of outs . . . you get the picture). There were two outs and it was Daniel's turn at bat. I was a little worried for him in that scenario, because I didn't want him to be the last out for his team, even though they were winning. Daniel swung and hit . . . right down the middle of the field, giving him a solid base hit. We all cheered, knowing that despite his best efforts and lots of hits throughout the season, this was the first time he'd made it on base this year. His hit even brought in a run (yes, I know it's called an RBI).

I think it was the next batter that got the third out, and Daniel started to make his way back to the dugout. When he got back there, I could see his teammates gathering around him and congratulating him, which was great to see. His team had to get back in the field to finish the inning, but when the game was over, Daniel's teammates surrounded him, patting him on the back and then lifted him up on their shoulders and carried him off the field! They also gave him the game ball and the celebrating continued all the way to the parking lot. Daniel was totally suprised and amazed at his team's reaction (and all I got was a blurry picture of it on my phone
. . . darn!).

At school on Friday, the news quickly got around (thanks to the morning announcements, where Daniel was given credit for making a game-winning hit, even though they won 8-2). Then, during the pep rally, the excitement happened all over again, with Daniel being cheered for and carried out of the gym on his teammates' shoulders. As Daniel said, "Now everyone seems to know who I am . . . WHOA!"

So, of course this mom is proud of her son and couldn't resist telling the story. But, what you need to know is that what I'm most proud of isn't the hit, although that was a big deal. What I am most proud of is the real reason that Daniel's team was celebrating with him. They recognized his consistent 110% effort, his team spirit and his great attitude (which he showed even when he didn't always hit the ball like he wanted to or didn't get to play the position he wanted or as many innings as he'd like). They were celebrating his personal victory and his character and their actions demonstrated how well-respected Daniel is among his teammates and friends.

That was better than a home run any day!