This trip was a Grand Slam!

Perhaps you remember a time when you attended your first concert or met a celebrity. Maybe you remember attending your first sporting event and having that overwhelming feeling of positive adrenaline.  Perhaps you recall feeling like “I cannot believe I am here.” 

This was the case for 11 girls on Friday night when they went to see the UTA Lady Mavs Softball team play Northwestern State.  Amongst the group of girls who attended, there were some young softball players, some potential softball players and some girls who knew nothing about the sport but were curious about all of the hype. 

It was a close game that ended in the in the bottom of the ninth with two outs when UTA freshman Hillary Steed hit a walk off grand slam.  The girls were ecstatic.  The crowd went wild and the girls ran up to the fence to get a close look at Hillary as she made her way around the bases and was greeted at home plate by her teammates. 

After the game the girls waited patiently, with their faces plastered to the dugout fence, for a chance to meet the Lady Mavs.  The girls shook hands with the players, looked at all of them in awe and after some hesitation, performed a cheer for the team.  The Girls Inc. girls were pleased by the team’s enthusiastic applause.  Before we left, the UTA Lady Mavs posed for a picture and signed autographs for the girls. 

On the way home, they expressed their gratitude and mentioned several times, “that was so cool!”  Many girls talked about how they could not believe they met the college softball team.  

One girl said, “I am never washing my hand again.”

Others asked, “When can we go back?  They told me they have a game tomorrow.  Can we come back tomorrow?”

Another girl said, “I can’t believe I got to meet number 4! That’s my number too!”  

The UTA Lady Mavs Softball team made a powerful impression on the young girls from Girls Inc.  Thank you for taking the time to speak with them and for providing them with an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives.  You made a memorable impression upon them.  At Girls Inc. our mission is to “inspire all girls to be strong, smart and bold.”  The time you spent with them goes a long way in enhancing what they learn in the programs they attend.  

Perhaps you recall that special night when you attended your first concert, first sporting event or met a celebrity.  This was “that” night for these girls.