First off, my apologies to those of you who think I jinxed Hamilton by picking the Lady Lions to win the Monroe County Tournament last weekend.

Don’t really believe in that jinxing stuff, but if you do, again, sorry, for causing the damage, and that you actually believe in jinxes.

It was the craziest tournament I remember for at least three years, for a lot of reasons. The craziness taught lessons and brought things to light.

The crazy

Four pitches into the tournament, the home plate umpire apparently dislocated his knee, which caused him a lot of pain and us a lot of time. For the record, I’d rather be cost time. From the sweat pouring off the poor guy’s face and agony in which he moved, that wasn’t enjoyable.

Hamilton pitcher Lexus Jordan scared the daylights out of everyone on Saturday. Pitching against Amory, the sophomore took a blistering line drive to the sternum. She bent over for a second before scaring us all as she fell to the ground. Amory coach Brad Hamilton told his girls to stop on the base they were on (a move that won’t make the highlight reel, but should be commended), as he and a handful of people went to check on her.

Not a good day for pitchers. Minutes later, Amory pitcher Halee Hunter felt her arm move a way it wasn’t supposed to move and was on her way to the hospital before Amory finished its finale against Smithville.

Brought to light

A few more things from each school that, good or not so good, should be learned from the tournament.

Aberdeen is getting there. There’s still a lot of work to do and the Lady Bulldogs were two-and-out, but were within two runs of Hatley on Friday at one point. Ground balls were more easily gathered and Aberdeen just looked like a team making strides. Coach Joyce Lucas has made tremendous strides with her crew and they should all be commended.

Amory showed what it can do. This team can hit and field with the best of them. It showed that with two wins over Hamilton and good showings in three straight games on Saturday, 3-2 in the tournament.

Hamilton saw a few defensive issues arise. The good news, they were silly mistakes that just need adjusted. Nothing major if attended to, and I have a feeling they will be attended to. Moreso, you saw the toughness this group portrays. When Jordan got off the ground after the ball attacked her, she got up and finished the game, strong. That was one person, but that’s what Hamilton does. Mistakes may take them to the ground once in a while, but don’t turn away, they’ll get up, and finish strong.

Speaking of attended to, Hatley I’m sure had its head readjusted on Monday. Playing like they didn’t care if they were there or not, coach Chris George pulled every single starter and put the JV squad in. The JV team had more hits and more runs than the starters. Hatley lost its first two games of the season after 10 wins and George assured me the issues would be discussed. Hope you ladies carried your running shoes Monday.

Smithville, last alphabetically, first numerically, after claiming the school’s first county fastpitch title. The defense needed work earlier this season and the work is bringing improvement. Smithville is a tough 10-3 and this tournament showed that these Lady Seminoles know what they’re after…and it’s not just a county trophy.