This past week, our oldest granddaughter Ava Jaymes and her travel softball team participated in a state tournament in Foley. We were sitting in an area known as the “Sho-nuffs,” which featured canopy tops, coolers, lawn chairs and small fans. We were also accustomed to hearing generators running to keep some of the tent areas cool.
Unfortunately, generators were not allowed at this ballpark, so everything was battery operated. We went to the Tanger Outlet Center and found fans for a decent price, only to discover that the price was not $19.99 but was $79.99. Needless to say, we trekked on and window-shopped in order to cool down while the young ones were at the beach.
Most of the softball parents stayed in Gulf Shores for the tournament, but I did not want to spend all that extra money when were at the ballpark. We were two miles from the park and down the road from Waffle House, which was walking distance from Jimmy Johns and Dollar General. My husband Alan thought he was in heaven!
Our daughter Eva and her children Saylor Rhea and Tyler Kate stayed with us the last two nights. Our son Joseph and his wife Machi, along with Ava Jaymes and Addison Victoria, stayed with Yia-Yia and Papou (otherwise known as their maternal grandparents) in Gulf Shores across the road from the beach.
Papou had a bad cough that kept him up at night. Soon enough, I also acquired a cough, which was worse in the daytime but allowed me to sleep at night. The heat did not help either one of us, as it felt like an oven every day. Everyone heard me coughing during the day, but Papou had not slept since his coughing started. But both of us, along with the rest of the family, were determined to stay until the end. I do not see how the kids and parents persevered in the extreme heat, because I was sweating, sticky, ill and exhausted.
The tournament ended with Ava Jaymes’ team in fourth place. They lost to the winners of the championship game by one point in overtime. The champions had two teams to beat for their title after beating our team. These two games were back-to-back, and the tournament winners won by more points. This confirmed that our girls had what it took. Congratulations, girls, we are so proud of you!
Alan and I ate at Waffle House one more time before heading to home sweet home. We eventually realized that we are not cut out to sweat it out with the “sho-nuffs,” who are already talking about next year’s state tournament. As for me and my brood, we will probably sweat it out once again. However, I might need to take out a loan for an industrial-size battery fan with mist!
Vicki Scott may be contacted at lily200383@yahoo.com.