Estimated reading time: 4 minute(s)

We went to watch Jen’s brother and family play softball last night. It’s a family event. All but our niece were there and suited up for the game. We brought our lawn chairs, and gloves and kid ball to play a little catch on the side for ourselves, and some batting practice too, of course 🙂 We had snacks, nice conversations with friends, and, oh yeah… a softball game! 🙂

Our team was winning. (Our team being the one Jen’s bro is on, of course…) Winning by a lot. So, I focused my attention on the myriad children surrounding me asking me to pitch to them, or throw to them, or something else with them. I didn’t mind, but I certainly was losing track of the softball game.

Until it happened.

I heard someone yell from the field, “Look out!!” There was desperation in the voice, so I reacted quickly. Unfortunately, I only caught a glimpse of the ball as it took aim at its target – my daughter’s forehead.

I watched helplessly as the softball came flying past the first row of spectators lining the third base sideline, hit the ground and bounced directly—but still quite quickly, and with great force—into Kirstie’s face. She was looking right at it, but obviously too tiny to block it, or even have time to react. It hit her so hard that she was knocked on her back.

She was not crying, and she was still conscious, so I picked her up in my arms and began to examine the injury. Only seconds after impact her forehead was a nasty shade of purple and blue. It was swelling rapidly. Thankfully there were some trained medical folk playing the game that night, and some prepared spectators as well who grabbed some ice and knew what sorts of things to look for that might signal serious brain or head trauma. Thankfully again, none of those signs were yet evident.

A few of the onlookers placed their hands on Kirstie’s head and prayed aloud, asking Jesus to help her. (Did I mention this was a church softball league?) 🙂 I was thankful again, but kinda wishing everyone would let her soak in what just happened. She just seemed in a daze, as was I, admittedly. She was responding to my questions… but not yet speaking. And STILL not crying. That was really beginning to freak me out.

After we had the ice on her head, and she really seemed to be OK, I just sat down in our chair – Kirsten still in my arms – and rested with her, still applying the ice. I kept asking her if anything hurt. They said headaches, blurry vision, nausea… bad. So, I was hoping for none of those. And, again, thankfully none of those came.

But for some reason… I was the one getting a bit light headed.

I kept trying to fight it off, but I could not. I kept feeling worse and worse, and I finally told Jen, “Man! I need to lay down or something! You need to take her before I drop her!” It was crazy! She was able to make the transfer, and I laid down on the grass behind her. I felt a lot better after a short horizontal break. I don’t know what happened, but my heart was racing, and I felt very light headed and dizzy.

I thought Kirsten was supposed to be the one who was injured? 🙂 Probably just all my “dadness” wearing off, and my sickness from the days before reminding me that my body was too weak to be a super hero.

As I regained my strength, I continued to find colder ice pack options for Kirsten, and to regularly ask her questions. She kept getting back to normal. That was so good to see. But though all seemed fine, all I could think about was that vision of a ball screaming in from the field, bouncing hard off the ground, and planting itself in my daughter’s forehead. I can still see it as I type this. I don’t ever want to see that again.

You know what’s even crazier? A couple innings later, there was ANOTHER head injury! This time, the shortstop was making a play at third, and as the runner tried to slide in to the base, her head dropped into the ball that was coming rather quickly. More pain. More huddling. More praying. Not good.

Thankfully (I keep using that word…) all left the field that night with only nasty bruises. Our heads are pretty fantastic, to be sure. They can take a serious beating and we’re none the worse for wear. Amazing.

Kirstie slept just fine last night, and awoke this morning in great spirits, as though nothing happened. Well, not entirely. She has retold the story in various forms many, many times today. 🙂 That’s certainly understandable when a three year old stared down a 40-50 mph flying softball, and won.

She’s tough. No doubt about it.

That’s the last time I want to see her prove it, though!