The Final 14

Thursday began the games for this year's NAIA tournament at Wilson Morgan. Like every year since 1st or 2nd grade, I went out to watch,my favorite team, Point Loma. Most of the time when I tell people that, they just look at me funny and say " Who are they? " or " Why?". Well, they are an amazing softball team from San Diego, California, and for many reasons.

I can remember that first year like it was just yesterday. My dad and I went out to watch the tournament for fun. We would just float from game to game and watch an inning or two then go to the next game, but as we walked up to the field where Loma was playing, there was something different about them. There was a completely different vibe coming from their dugout. A sense of a strong team bond, spirit, and it was my image of a perfect team. I can remember chasing every foul ball hit in that game like it was money flying through the air. After the 6th or 7th foul ball, one of the people that worked at the field just let me keep the ball. Later, I got the team to sign it (I still have that ball, and everything they gave me or pictures on a wall in my bedroom, its my "Loma wall"). From then on, watching them has been tradition.

Going through the past years, I could go down the rosters and tell you at least one thing that each player did that made me a better person and/or ball player. Here are some that I can just think of off of the top of my head (in no particular order, of course) : Cheryl Bolding- Cheryl, who was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame this year, is just an all around great softball player, but she also knows that there is always something to work on, and stays grounded. She is definitely one of my softball idols. Mackenzie Gerke- She is the reason I have been #31 for most of my softball years, she included me in things the team did while they were here in Decatur, and it made me feel special. She always worked hard and never gave up. Melissa Gomez- Mel is so sweet, and always said, " Hey, Rachel !" with a big smile on her face, no matter what, even if they were losing & the game was on the line. She's an amazing softball player, and always made me feel special. Randi Mead- Randi was a great softball player, and she was so nice. She would come and talk after every game, no matter what the outcome was. KC Robertson- KC was a great pitcher, and even though she has graduated, we still talk every now and then. She sent me a birthday card one year, and it is still hanging up in my room. It meant more than she even knows. Allie Boeckelman- Allie was one of the best catchers I have seen in my life. She was smart, and was calm in tough situations. She played through pain and injury, because she knew she couldn't let her team down.There are SO many more, and those are just past players!

This year is the last year that Point Loma will have a softball team, at least for a while. When I first heard this news, I was crushed. My dream was to go out to Cali ( as much as my dad said no ) and play for Point Loma. The team this year has faught so hard, and continues to fight to make this the best. They have worked so hard, and are more than determined to go far. It's crazy to think, that when the tournament comes around next year, they won't be there. I don't know what I'm gonna do, but what I do know is that I'm not going to take this year for granted. I am going to be at as many games as possible. Rain,shine,hot,cold,early in the morning,late at night; I'm gonna be there, cheering them on. I love to watch them play, and every single time I do, I feel like a kid again. I look up to them, and it's like no matter what they are the best. I'm going to miss them a lot! But this tournament is just getting started & I'm ready to watch them go all the way !

http://www.pointloma.edu/Athletics/Softball.htm