One for Papa & Pappy

Laurel Smith

This is what a home-run swing looks like. On Thursday evening, May 7th, while playing from behind in the bottom of the 5th inning, Laurel Smith came to bat with one runner on base. The team just scored 2 runs, making the score 10 – 6. Laurel was hit by the pitch just before this swing. (They don’t walk players in the 10 & Under Girls Softball League). The next pitch was hit hard by Laurel, and it landed in the gap in center field and made its way to the deep part of the outfield. Rounding first base and heading to 2nd base, Papa was sure she would stop at 2nd base, but no, she kept running to third. The outfielders were slow at recovering the ball, and Laurel was now on her way to home plate. She was better than half-way to home when the defense was able to throw the ball to the pitcher. The pitcher didn’t have a chance to throw her out, so Laurel scored with an inside-the-park home run. The score was now 10 to 8 in favor of the other team. (After 4 runs, the inning is over). The opposing team managed to score 1 run in the top of the 6th. Now the score is 11–8.

Ingomar-Griffin, now at bat. It’s the bottom of the 6th. If they score 4 more runs, they can win. They did tie it up. There are 2 outs with a runner on third. The batter hits a grounder, the runner on 3rd runs for home, the play at the plate is in time, but, has to be tagged out. The tag is on, but no, the ball pops out of the glove, and the runner is safe. Ingomore-Griffin wins 11 – 12.

Laurel is the granddaughter of Joel (Pappy) & Joan Smith of Knox, and Dave (Papa) & Belinda Staab of Marble.

Before every game, her grandpas would ask her to hit a home run, and this game she did.

Great game, Laurel, and congratulations to your team on their come-from-behind win.

(Top of the 6th) Laurel Smith, at 1st base, # 9, makes the play at first and tosses the ball to the catcher as the runner advances for a near double play.