Alameda Yankees-Bank of Alameda

"....... I'm a team player. I play with my friends and with some of my enemies, but I respect everyone when it comes to my sport. I know I'm not going to get a multi-million dollar contract to play professionally. I know I may not even get my name in the paper. I play for love of the game. For the pride and honor, for the blood, sweat and tears it takes to make the team, to earn the spot, to win the game. I play because I can, I play because I know that my life would be empty without the sport I play. I would have a lack of everything my sport gives me... integrity, courage, talent, fearlessness, pride, strength, stamina, will, and the heart of a champion. If I didn't play, I would lose a part of me. I'm an athlete. I'm a girl. I'm a champion, not because my team always wins, but because when we don't, we learn from our mistakes. We try to fix them, and most of all because we have fun. I have built lifelong friendships and memories because of my being an athlete. I leave everything on the field or court and continue to push myself. I am never happy with second place, but I have learned to accept it. I have learned to get over and through my anger and be the athlete and player I have always dreamed of being. I don't play for my parents, for my family, for my friends;..... I play for myself but when I'm playing I represent them. It isn't about winning or losing, but I hate to lose. I won't settle for a tie, and I am not satisfied with 100%. To play, you have to sacrifice everything, your body, your time, your sweat, blood, and tears, everything... for your team. I am a player, and athlete and a champion, not because I know what it is like to win, but because I know what it is like to lose. I know what it is like to feel the anger and pain that comes along with "second best." I have been that girl with tears in her eyes, walking out to receive the second place trophy and clapping as the other team, my opponents, receive the first place one. I know what it is like to lose, to win, to want to quit, to want to cry, to not want to get up. I know what it is like to hear the cheers and yells for you. I know what it is like to feel the pressure of everyone on your shoulders, and I know what it is like to choke under that pressure. I know what it means to be an athlete, a true player, and that is why I play. I AM AN ATHLETE, A CHAMPION, A TRUE PLAYER." ---"An Athlete's Pride"

1. Show respect to yourself by treating others the way you want to be treated. 2. Respect not only your teammates, but also your opponents. 3. Respect your coaches and the officials of the game. 4. Respect the rules of the game. 5. Always play fair. 6. Accept the judgment calls of the coaches and the officials without argument. 7. Offer encouragement to teammates, especially when they make mistakes. 8. Forgive yourself when you make a mistake and get right back into the game. 9. Lose without pouting. 10. Win without gloating.

Inning 1 - Melanie Davis started the scoring by coming into home on a single by Mady Popelka. Mady came home on a single by Kelly Watts. Melanie had a fantastic outting on the mound, she just faced 5 batters and struck out three. Score 2-0 Inning 2 - Maggie Lewis walked to start the inning, followed by a walk by Katie Coreno. Both girls scored on a passed ball. Ally Armijo also walked and eventually scored on a passed ball. Lisa Emery hit a great double, but ended up stranded on base after Kelly hit into a 6-3 out. Melanie continued her domination with a 1-2-3 outting - all strikeouts. Score 5-0 Inning 3 - Sarah Huey started off with a double to deep right field. She scored on a passed ball. Katie Coreno walked again and eventually scored on another passed ball. The Martinez Red Hotz hit a single and were able to score on a passed ball, but that would be their only run of the game. Kelly and Sarah kept a running from reaching base on a bunt, Mady caught a great fly ball and Sarah got a force out at first to end the inning. Score 7-1 Inning 4 - Mady had a single and stole second. Kelly took a fast pitch in her elbow but was able to remain in the game. Both girls scored when Maggie hit a single towards right field. As LaLa Soriano was being walked, Maggie stole her way to third base. LaLa stole second and on the next pitch stole third, pushing Maggie toward home. Realizing her mistake she started back which caused the Red Hotz to make a bad throw to second...both girls were able to score as Martinez worked to regain control of the ball. In the bottom of the inning Nessa took the mound and struck out two, Mady and Nessa combined to get the other out. Score 11-1 Inning 5 - Melanie started the inning with a double, and Lisa followed with a single, scoring Melanie. Mady had a double. Lisa scored on Kelly's sacrifice. Mady scored on Sarah's single. Nessa returned to the plate and hit a batter, then struck out the next one. The next gal reached base on a fielders choice. The inning ended with a pop out. Final Score 14-1