Why pink? I tease the girls when they wear pink hair ribbons to games and practices. How can you possibly expect to hit the ball hard, when you are wearing pink ribbons in your hair???? We played in the ASA Hall of Fame Tournament, in Oklahoma City, in late June of 2004. Upon arrival, Coach Brown made his usual trip to the local WalMart Super Store, to pick up the necessary items we can’t haul on the plane in our luggage … such as ball buckets and coolers, but especially a lawn chair for me. It kills my creaky back when I sit on a bench or a bucket for very long. He picked out a bright pink chair, and everyone thought that was hilarious, including me. All weekend I sat in a bright pink chair, with my name written on the back.

At team checkin, I told the girls that of all the tournaments, other than ASA Nationals, there is none I would be more proud to win, than the Hall of Fame Tournament! “Coach, when we win this tournament, will you let us die your hair”? “Girls, when we win this tournament, you can die my hair ANY color you want”. They reviewed the color spectrum for a few moments, and the clear choice was PINK.

Over the weekend, it became quite a motivational rally point. The pre-game cheer was modified from “1,2,3, SHAMROCKS!!!” to “1,2,3, THINK PINK”. Game, after game, we came up with the big play and the big clutch hit, as if it was meant to be. What a thrill to see my team perform that way. I was so proud of them. We beat some excellent teams, and pink hair was obviously in my future.

Having been born in Miami, FL, I appreciated that they chose ‘Flamingo Pink’.

http://www.shamrocksoftball.org/TEAMINFO/2004HallOfFame/VeryStressedBeforeWBSF.jpg

http://www.shamrocksoftball.org/TEAMINFO/2004HallOfFame/2004HOFShamrocks.jpg

http://www.shamrocksoftball.org/TEAMINFO/2004HallOfFame/AreYouReallyGoingToDoThis.jpg

http://www.shamrocksoftball.org/TEAMINFO/2004HallOfFame/YesWeAre.jpg

http://www.shamrocksoftball.org/TEAMINFO/2004HallOfFame/FlamingoPink.jpg

http://www.shamrocksoftball.org/TEAMINFO/2004HallOfFame/MadeItThroughSecurity.jpg

I will never forget my awesome trip to OKC!