365 RANDOM DAYS OF TEAM ZYBKO

DAY #98

FEBRUARY 21, 2012

The Not Really Soccer, Soggy Sunday.

Kookaburra Cup in Sumter. I like this tournament. Fields are only 45 minutes away. The complex pretty new and designed almost like the perfectly planned out one in my head. This is what I spend my spare thoughts and time on. I'm a dork like that. More than once I have sketched a layout of a Zybko dream soccer land. When the time comes for Florence to build I am pretty certain they will call me in Charlotte asking for that blueprint. It's on a corn dog stained, concession stand paper plate. It's still read-able, I can walk em through it. Over here by the dried ketchup, a deluxe 2 story playground and a mini Starbucks kiosk. A soccer mom has fantasies too ya know.
2nd day of this tourney the weather radar is littered with quick moving blobs of green, indicating a 'rain out' for sure. 7am no call from coach. 8am no email cancelling. Really? 40 something degrees plus heavy winds plus pouring rain. I'm not really great with math BUT this equation = not so much fun. I half hearted-ly pack up the van for an ETD of 8:45am, completely expecting a text half way there telling us to turn back home.

Took my phone off silent but it made no noise the entire drive.

A grown man wrapped in a trash bag. Uh oh, I am seriously under prepared. It's going to be a long day. A trip to the local Walmart is probably in our cards.

Like I said, these fields were thought out. Not only for the players but for the parents too. This centrally located bathroom area comes with viewing steps and an over hang that saved my underwear from becoming completely soaked.

The girls wait for their warm up time on the field and head on out. Not complaining or whining. I imagine being 11 years old, these are the kinda games you never forget playing.

The idea of keeping Drexel out of the dripping rain and dirty mud puddles now seems little funny. This newly turned seven year old lives for adventures such as these. He can't wait for an excuse to run out from under our semi dry 'camp site'

Game time. Field #5 now resembles a swimming pool. The expensive leather ball will be 10 pounds within minutes. Traditional soccer they have trained for will now be backyard jungle ball. I sorta wish I was out there, this is my kinda 'Futbol'. My foot skills not so good but my ability to undercover foul and propel this heavy body across a wet ground.....oh yea, this is my A game. This type of soccer I'm a Pele or Beckem....call me want you want, depending on your age.

Feeling a little under dressed as I secretly snap a picture of this way cooler soccer mom. I'm thinking they are PLEATHER which would make them waterproof, also making her more prepared than me too.

Giving it their all in every play. Coach Nicole instructs them to NOT dribble but instead to loft the ball in the air to get it down the field. They try this but the medicine soccer ball is loaded with water. Hitting landmine puddles every couple of feet.

The Breezinator is in her element. She may or may not have caused this other player to hit the ground.

Game tied 1-1 when the final whistle blows. Tournament rules and to determine standings an over time is ordered. Are you kidding me? 10 more minutes, just call the game already. It's by God's grace no one has blown out a knee by now.

No goals scored in overtime. Pack up all soggy belongings? NOPE time for a shoot out. It's almost funny at this point. Both teams line up. PK kickers picked and ready to go. This time God blows the whistle.

THUNDER AND LIGHTNING

Everyone ordered off the field for at least 30 minutes.

Like peeling off a bandaid very very slowly we brace ourselves for more of this marathon game to come.

The team waits it out in the warm bathroom. Sounds a little weird but surely it was comforting to the players soaking wet, now shivering, no longer running around. They remain smily, they are young, these are memories in the making for sure. I hear more thunder over the sound of their giggles, 30 minute delay to the field re-started. I'm not as young. I force a smile but inside I am longing for a really hot shower and fresh dry jam jamz.

I head to the car with the little ones. Baby Daddy remains in the elements. He represents Team Zybko with out the pom poms. Close to an hour later my favorite boy cheerleader finds the re-parked van to report a "W" for our Strikers Team. Over the loud speaker the officals finally cancel the rest of the tournament. No championship game will be played, awards are to be presented based on points earned. OK, it's kinda like 'kissing your sister' no chance to get the #1 spot but enough is enough. We wait a little while longer for the girls to recieve a medal for 2nd place.

My favorite Nikes will ever be the same. Soaked through to every inch of my Puma socks.

Filled with grass, mud and memories.