Warning: Unbelievable but true sports post ahead.
Channeling her inner Randy Johnson*, official oldest daughter of env-econ and number 1 pitcher for the local 12U travel softball team (that's her on the right, last year) unleashes a 70 mph fastball** in a tournament game this weekend. From my signal calling perch in the first base dugout,*** I am distracted by a faint flutter out of the corner of my eye. A misguided--and ill-fated--bird has launched an aerial attack on the unsuspecting neon-yellow softball. In the ensuing split second battle, physics wins. The 90 mph**** six ounce projectile launched from my daughter's hand slams into the side of the bird halfway to home plate. The bird spins out of control and tumbles to its demise along the third base line. The ball ricochets high in the air but it's 100 mph***** momentum lands the ball softly in the catcher's mitt.
Home plate umpire, clearly stunned and having no idea what to call, calls time out and confers with the field umpire.
Final decision: Ball 3.
Right call?
The assistant coach and I approach the umpire to question the call but quickly realize we have no idea what to argue. So instead, we pick up the limp bird and place it gently under a nearby bush.
Slightly shaken, but still determined, official daughter of env-econ continues on and gets the win.
*For those who don't get the Randy Johnson reference, watch this. For those animal lovers out there...don't watch.
**OK, it's probably more like 50 mph--I haven't clocked her recently.
***An upside down sunflower seed bucket
****50 mph
*****50 mph
