Well, my softball season ended tonight. For the third straight year, Devonshire Church made it to the Championship Game of the Capital Area Church Softball League (CACSL). This year we came in as the "defending champs," having won it all in 2007.
In an epic three game battle (best of three series) we lost to a great team from CrossPoint Church. After winning 9-4 in the first game, the big bats from CrossPoint proved too much in the second game as they won by mercy rule (up by 10 runs after 5 innings). That brings us to the rubber game. We jumped out to a 2-0 lead. They quickly tied. Long story short, we were tied at the end of regulation (7 innings). In the top of the eighth, CrossPoint sent three runs across the plate. With our turn at bat, we had a chance with two out and two on but couldn't come up with the runs. CrossPoint is the 2008 CACSL Champs. Congratulations.
But here is the cool thing: we had a blast competing with the guys from CrossPoint. If you were watching our interactions you'd see us talking to each other; congratulating each other on great plays and hits; picking each other up when we got knocked down. Alot of times you get into these games and things get so competitive that relationships take the hit. Not in these games. The two teams simply played hard and enjoyed each other. High fives and hugs were shared after the game.
I like to think that our two teams made God happy tonight. We played all out, keeping in mind that even in competition we are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength as well as love our neighbor as ourselves. If you observed our teams after the game, you saw men huddling together in their respective teams to pray and thank God for the opportunity to play the game regardless of the results.
The above picture is my favorite. It captures our devotion to God and to one another. I say it often to these guys, "I love playing with this team." Actually, we are more than a team. We are more than athletes. We are brothers in Christ and truly care about each other. With all this said, I can't wait until next year when we get a chance to grab that trophy back.
1 comment:
Todd, That was a great way to summerize our newly found rivalry. It was a blast getting to know you guys on a higher level then just another softball team. I am glad to say that we have made new friendships bewteen both teams. Can't wait to do all over again next season. Dan (XpointUMC)
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