THE TEEN YEARS: Play Ball!

Hard to believe -- Meg turns 13 today, the 25th Sep. We had a bit of a celebration Saturday evening as I have to fly to Trapani (on the Italian island of Sicily) tomorrow for the AC racing there this week and next.

She was going to have a girls sleepover Friday evening, but it was the first day of baseball practice. Meg and a number of her friends have taken up baseball, of all things, including her new friend Emily Smith (father Alan Smith is with Luna Rossa). That's coed (boys and girls) hardball, not softball like the "ladies" played when we were in school. So the big girls' birthday-party sleepover is postponed until next weekend, though Emily came over for pizza and a movie-sleepover anyway.

At the practice last night Meg hit on base both times, a solid single and a line-drive into left field that resulted in a double and an RBI. The coach is an American named Tyler who is in the U.S. Army and attached to the nearby NATO base. Very good with the kids. Most of the parents standing on the sidelines getting to know each other were connected with the AC. Some we knew and others we didn't. Nice to make some new friends on the other teams.

Meg had such a good time playing baseball Friday evening that today we went to the huge Decathlon sports store here in Valencia and bought her a mitt. We got a second mitt for Leslie and myself to toss with her, or for when Meg's friends come over without one.

Meg and I played catch for a long time this afternoon. My shoulder is sore! I think she's better at baseball than I was at 13. Meg was big into basketball this past winter at her school in Hamburg, and for sure she was then better at basketball than I ever was, but I think she is a better baseball player.

Together with soccer, which she also likes, and swimming, seems we have the stereotypical jock-teenager on our hands. Now if I can get her a bit more interested in sailing. In the meantime, Play Ball!



Meg hit on base both times at bat.



Trouble? Which cousin gave her those shorts?! Meg trying to tell us something
now that she is 13?



New friend Emily Smith and Meg waiting for the order at the local
pizza parlor in Puzol after baseball practice Friday evening. Pizza
after baseball practice. Toto, maybe we're still in Kansas after all!