Softball club is underway

We even have some girls on the softball club. This helps in our recruiting efforts.

This was club recruiting day on campus. We were one of many clubs recruiting new students to sign-up with us.

Our first club practice.

Two of the club leaders, Gabriel (L) and Devin (R).

This fall when I came back to China, I brought a suitcase full of softball equipment. I think I had 15 gloves, about 12 softballs, and 1 bat. Thanks to the many generous donations from many friends and family back home. Some of you gave up your favorite glove that you've had for years (thanks Bob Miller) :) I can't tell you what a blessing it was to be able to give an abundance of equipment to the students here.

The first club practice was about 4 weeks ago. We had 23 students show up! Guess how many gloves we had? 23! Isn't that awesome. We've been meeting each Saturday afternoon and we run through some drills and then play a scrimmage. Two weeks ago we had our first catch of a fly ball in the outfield. I think the outfielder just closed his eyes and stuck up his glove, but he caught it! Everyone was so amazed and excited. I'm looking for another team that we can have a real game against, but I haven't found one yet. That's ok, because we really need a lot more practice before we are ready to challenge anyone.

The fall has been unusually beautiful - warm and sunny, I've actually seen some blue sky. Today the weather turned colder and fell to about 55 F for a high.

This semester I have about 300 new students - freshmen boys! That means I have about 800 students on this campus all-together including the previous two years. When I meet them on campus, I have difficulty knowing if they are from this year, or last year, or two years ago. Both they and I are surprised when I can recall their names - which is about 10% of the time.

This week my students will be giving speeches about a hobby that they are unfamiliar with. It should be interesting!