Final Softball.

As you might know, I've been involved with Azerbaijani softball since the first season I was actually a volunteer. I've written about it a few times and I hope I've conveyed how much this project has meant to me. I absolutely love softball and thoroughly enjoy the time I get to spend with the kids I get to through it. I've seen this project through 4 seasons (Spring and Fall) and, sadly, this season was my last.

This season's end was completed with a national softball tournament in Bilasuvar and one last scrimmage back in Mingechevir.

Unfortunately I was unable to attend the first day of the Bilasuvar tournament, but I was able to make it for the evening's PCV game, the sleepover at the Olympic Complex, and the second day's games. Mingechevir is a very strong team and has yet to lose in a tournament. There are many reasons for their strength... they know the rules, we have quite a few people that have been on the team since my first season and, well, they're older than a couple of the other teams. I was met with the news that they did not lose in the day's games and they also did not lose the second day's ones though the championship game against Gence was quite tense and had our team nervous. Champions since the inception. Glad it wasn't in my years that that proverbial ball was dropped...

We returned to Mingechevir and organized a final scrimmage since me and Laura are out of Mingechevir soon. Seeing the team organized for probably the last time was incredible. I met a lot of these guys 2 years ago when I was a brand new volunteer adjusting to all that is here and, now, I'm saying goodbye. I've seen them grow and they've seen me do the same. We've laughed, played, learned, etc. I think I've somewhat expressed to many of you my frustrations here being a woman and dealing with men, but these guys... they've always been the source I go to when I'm looking for an Azeri male that does not fit within those frustrations.

I miss it already.

Softballin': A Year Later

For the past 2 months, Mingechevir has been practicing softball twice a week for the Spring season. Practice has been great - very high attendance rates, lots of veteran players, and quite fun. A few weeks ago was supposed to be our first tournament in Mingechevir, but we were sadly rained out. So, this past weekend was the first Western Tournament in Gence.

Remarkably, and a feat in and of itself, the entire team showed up at the meeting spot at the designated time and we left ahead of schedule. I was quite proud. Unfortunately, some hot heads early in the tournament day made some of my pride fade away.

We played 3 games, all 40 minutes long. Our first game was against Sheki. We had an early lead, but our team got a bit too cocky and sloppy late in the game. We finished up 12-11 Mingechevir. The second game was against a new team, Tovuz. Tovuz had already won their first game against Gence at 7-6 and that was our fate, as well. This game, though, is quite notable because each team had an air of bad sportsmanship stinking up the field. It was the most intense game and, for me, the most frustrating. In a way, I wish both teams could've lost this one. The final game was the opposite of everything the 2nd game was and spirits were high as we went against our 'rivals,' Gence. After threatening to pull people out of the game, the team was able to push aside their attitudes and start supporting other teams. We were able to win the final game 13-7. Currently, we're tied for first with Tovuz with a 2-1 record.

I've been working with this project for 3 seasons now and it's still one of the most fun things I get to do. Even though this round had problems that we had never had before, we do have a fantastic group of kids. Sometimes, though, as much as I hate to admit it, this team needs to learn how to lose... something they've really never had to do before. Hopefully, they'll learn from this first tournament for the next 2 (of which I'll sadly be absent from) and come out on top the right way.

Softballin': Fall Fun.

I love softball.  

We play softball in Mingechevir and it is awesome.  This season was something a bit different... it was all AZ6.  The experience was tumultuous but, in the end, it proved successful.  Not only was it AZ6 running it in the country - in Mingechevir, it was only girls.  I know that doesn't sound like a big deal for all you people back home who're able to mingle with the opposite sex and enjoy the company of anyone you choose but, here, it's a big deal.  The season started off slow with bad weather and very low attendance, but the past 2 weeks were pretty incredible and we were able to gain some very valuable players.  We even named one of our favorite guys, Mensur, Captain!  

Today was the one and only Fall Tournament for this year.  Only 2 teams participated, but it was fun nonetheless.  Tim, Lucy, and Danielle traveled in (though Danielle had to take an emergency trip home) and brought much team spirit and support.  Rolling into town this morning was Gence bringing Mathias, Chris, Katie, Elmer and a really great team.  With my Cubs gear on and a strong team led by a new Captain, we played.

The first game was a close one and Mingechevir squeezed out a 16-15 win with only minutes left on the clock.  Mensur did fabulously guiding our team, creating a line up and manning the field.  We even had a new All-Star player, Allahverdi, shine through the sweetest slide into second I've ever witnessed!  My girls (Sabina and Sama) even came out and played quite wonderfully.  It was a tight game and Gence definitely gave us a run for our money!

The second game was very low in points for the first few innings and Mingechevir's defense was phenomenal - I am so proud!  We were leading that game 8-5 (I think) with only 15 minutes left when the whole game took a huge turn for the worse...  In true stereotypical Azeri male fashion, a group of guys show up and try to force us off the field even though there was another free field right across the way.  Things escalated very quickly and reached a very frustrating peak which included a bit of physical contact from the Azeri guys toward one of our Volunteers.  We were seriously being attacked... over a field.  Since it was near the end of the game, we decided to be the bigger people and leave, letting them treat the guests of their country so badly.  What gets my goat is that they pushed out the kids!  The kids!  Thanks guys for being so selfish.

We pushed aside our frustrations, bonded over the absurdity, and took our lovely group photos.  As angry as the last part of the day made me, I can't forget how incredible of a season it's been (even with the slow start).  I got to continue working and deepen relationships I made last season as well as create new ones.  These kids we worked with are truly the special ones, in my opinion.  They're the ones that make me want to be here and the ones I enjoy spending time with.  These are the kids I'll look back on with fond memories and wonder how they turned out while secretly hoping they're still the special ones who're polite, respectful, and full of untarnished life.  They are why I'm here and I'm better for knowing them.

7s Invade Ming.

In no way should invade be taken as a negative term.  In Ming's case, it's the accurate one.  Since the departure of our 4 sitemates and leaving us 4, it sure felt like a lot of people were in Mingechevir for a few days over the AZ7 PCV visits.  We were fortunate enough to host 6 new trainees and, I hope, fun was had by all.  

The purpose of a PCV visit is to get a glimpse into PCV life.  Although most of it is accurate, some of it isn't as well since some of us take a lighter schedule while guests are in town or they might just catch us at a time when not too much is on your plate.  I was very glad mine came on days I actually do work, so that was, at least, something.  Last year on my PCV visit, we didn't do work at all, really, but did get a chance to finally relax from training stress (which is the more beneficial aspect to the visit, I think...).  So, I tried to find a healthy balance of work and fun.

The PCTs came in on Sunday and we were able to greet them and bring them all back to my place for the evening.  I cooked dinner, baked a big apple pie and served up some made from scratch banana nut muffins and biscottis.  It was nice getting to all hang out together the first night (and for all the subsequent ones) and kept many of the possible introductory awkward pauses at a minimum.  

Monday I was able to take my Trainees around Mingechevir for a walk before my afternoon Film Club.  I'm extremely proud of my FLEX girls, so it was great to be able to show them off a bit.  We watched our film, chatted for a bit, then it was time for us to go off to softball.  

Softball season is winding down this week with our tournament on Sunday, so we had enough people come out to play a game with us, the Trainees, and our kids.  I had a blast.  I love softball.  The night ended with us going down to Mingechevir's only haunt, the Wild West, where we had dinner, drinks, and an amazing (on the house) fruit platter at the end of the meal.  Laura and I were also able to take our Trainees through the city to look at all the lights (which would have been a shame not to... being in the Light City and all).

Continuing the tour of Mingechevir, we walked up to the reservoir the next morning.  We spent time there for a bit and I found a new spinny ride reminiscent of those dangerous playground spin rides.  Fun.  And dizzying.  My group had work at 2, so we headed back to change clothes before I started work at a new place.  This was a first experience for myself, as well, and it was a bit of trouble.  Basically, I go to a room filled with 25ish kids that don't know English... I think they want me to be a teacher and that is not what I want... at all.  We'll see what happens with that one.  The nice thing about after that, though, was we got to come home and relax before dinner at Laura's.  Our last night together was with good food, great company, and Apple to Apples.

It still amazes me that we've been here for a year and talking with the new people really drives that in so much more.  Having the 7s visit was a great experience and it was truly wonderful getting to know them and begin new friendships.  It was a blast staying up with Kathy and chatting the nights away, watching Anthony Bourdain with Kathy and Eli, talking on the balcony with Derek, experiencing a truly Azer moment (however frustrating) with Jessica and Alisha, walking around with Judy, sharing our first year stories with everyone, playing Apples to Apples with a new group of people, getting to chat with the ones I didn't really get to when I went in for Hub Day and to hear about what they're going through right now while also thinking how me and my group felt the same then as they do now.

As exciting as all that was, I was beat the day after.  I said my goodbyes in the early morning, went back to bed, woke up for a bit and then slept til the next morning.  

Next up, Softball Sunday.

Softballin'.

Sometimes what I call work here is something I would definitely be doing anywhere, especially in the summer. This season, I've been lucky enough to be able to put softball into my "work" schedule.  Best job ever.  

We just finished our summer season with 2 tournaments, one in Mingechevir and one in Gence.  Mingechevir's tournament was really great with a good amount of PCVs popping up and 3 teams.  We came in second there and Gence took the win.  But!  This past weekend, the final tournament, Mingechevir and Gence played a tight game and Ming took it home!  Hooray!  Apparently for the past 4 years Mingechevir has won the final "tournament," so it's fun to know we weren't completely defeated.  

This season really was pretty fantastic with all the usual ups and downs Azerbaijan holds for us.  I had a blast practicing with our guys, showing up at the stadium and proving that girls actually can play sports, and rocking out a pair of shorts during play!  We had amazing kids travel into Ming and our kids were able to travel in for a game, which really does make things a bit more exciting.  

As much as I do love playing softball, hanging out with the kids and PCVs, roasting/melting in the sun, and being able to yell as much and as loud as I want, I can't help but reminisce about the "old days" playing neighborhood games in the back yard, batting cages with my brother, and yelling at the TV every time the Cubs didn't do quite as well as I'd have hoped.