Softball Season is Here

Well, this week has been busy. Softball season has started and believe it or not, the Mixed Nuts are 1-0. I've been playing on this team going on 8 years now. I can't hardly believe it. A lot has changed in that time - mostly my baserunning (as I will often be reminded, I'm not as young as I used to be). The original team was made up of crop science graduate students. Over the years, many have moved on. However, there are 2 of us left from the team I met so many years ago. And no, we're not still students -- we just happened to stay in Champaign. And even though the roster has constantly changed, we're still predominantly a team made of ag "kids" that love to play the game. So every Sunday night we'll be out there punishing our bodies - stayed tuned, I'm sure there will be some great stories over the summer.

This week I've also started my stint as a fastpitch softball coach for a girls softball team in town. I've got a team of eleven girls ranging in age from 11 to 14. This could be quite interesting as well. I inherited a team that went undefeated last season - only 4 players are returning, but the team did get 4 of the top 5 girls in the draft this spring. Looks like expectations may be high again. I'm sure it will be fun, its just been quite awhile since I've coached young girls. Practice starts next Saturday and we'll be meeting 3 times a week until the Bruins (that's us) make our debut at the end of May.

That's not the only season that's in full swing. Planting season is here too. Ron's been on the road getting trials out. After a long day in Monmouth yesterday, he got home after 1 am and then started again this morning in Urbana. The rain we got tonight may put a hitch in his plans for tomorrow, but I'm sure they'll be heading out again next week.

I too, have been on the road this week. Traps have been going up for our exotic woodborer and bark beetle survey. (I'll save those photos for another post.) I've also squeezed a few meetings in this week. I think we're both pretty excited tomorrow is finally Friday. The weekend can't get here soon enough!