Going to their heads...or waistlines?

A couple of years ago ~
We went out in search of a sponsor for the softball team ~

We didn't have to look very far, as the Buffalo Tap kindly stepped up to the plate.

If you aren't familiar, Buffalo Tap is a great little bar & grill located right on Highway 13 in Savage.

Close proximity to the softball fields where the boys play from April through October (oh yes, they do!).

Also close proximity to home, and, a family friendly location so that the littlest fans of Longshots can join in the fun on occassion.





Last season, the team got all official, with real, matching jerseys and everything...

& cute little tshirts for the littlest Longshots...

Sort of a misfitty looking group here - we'll try again for a team photo this season!

And wouldn't you know it, if things didn't just get a whole lot more crazy as this season gets ready to kick off.  The hubs got an email from the Manager/Owner of the Buffalo Tap earlier this week, saying that they had created a 'Longshots Burger' and it was so good - they were going to feature it on Thursday (softball night!).  He said he thinks this one is 'a keeper' -

And, once something is on Facebook, then it REALLY becomes official, right?

Ladies and Gentlemen - I present to you...

The Longshots Burger!

I can't wait to hear what they think of this, the actual burger that is. 

We all know that having a burger named after you has got to be pretty awesome!

Good luck this season boys!

Go Longshots!

 

The Short of the Long and Short of it...

I didn't give my apprentice photog any props in my Long Shots softball post -

So I thought I'd share a few of her snapshots she took at the 'awards banquet' fan appreciation bbq -
She's got a love of the camera like her Mom!








I think she did a pretty good job of capturing their personalities don't you??

It's a Long Shot ~

This season I got the official role of the unofficial team photographer...

This folks ~ is Long Shots softball...

Are you a fan on Facebook? If not, you should be...they could use all the love and support they can get!

Plus, you can see more of my photos there!
Anyway...back to my unofficial role as the official photographer...or is it official role as the unofficial photographer?



I have been having a ton of fun playing with the settings on my SLR camera - figuring out what it can and can't do - and the softball games offer me so much variety!


There are the adoring fans...



And the off the field conditioning sessions (Cookie was out with a torn Achilles for both the summer and fall seasons this year!)


There are the ouch - that hurts! moments...

And the ones that I can't resist...

Fun action shots...going, going...GONE?

The ones where the super skinny guys look a bit on the heavy side with the wind in their sails...

And just regular old action shots...

There are the serious facial expressions...

And good practice learning how to shoot through the fence...

After all is said and done - you get to enjoy the fruits of your labors on a beautiful fall day at the Cook Home -

Wiffle Ball is played...

~ even with the youngest of the Long Shots Fans...

While others enjoy brownies and cheer them on!

And the big surprise at the end of the season?

That's right folks - an 'awards banquet' if you will!

Jeff presenting Dan with an award...





Next up...Darryl



And then...our very own Daddy! I wish you could have heard how proud little H was of her dad...

"Mom! Did Daddy win? Did he get a trophy?" She then promptly ran over to him to give him hugs and squeezes and squeezes and hugs - she was so happy for him...She carried that trophy around for days!





The night wound down with a blazing bonfire on the brand new patio -



A little more good cheer...





And then naps by the bonfire...We were the first ones there, the last ones to leave...hate it when that happens - but what can we say...it was a fun time...and we don't get out together nearly as much as we should!

Til next year Long Shots...(oh wait - you still have two freakin' games left this month! UGH - it's COLD!) I'll have to hang up my photography belt for this season...

See you in the spring!