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DANIELLE MARTIN HITS A GRAND SLAM,
12-8 VICTORY FOR CRUSADERS

By Michelle “Mommy” Martin
Daily Gazette

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- It’s the bottom of the 2nd inning. Bases are loaded. The score: 0-0. Danielle Martin is next at bat. She walks up to the plate just outside the batter’s box and takes a few practice swings. Good follow-through. She enters the batter’s box, her feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent. With her aluminum bat, she taps home plate to signal she is ready. She wraps her hands firmly around the bat and raises it to eye-level. Her arms flexed, prepared to absorb the shock when her bat collides with the ball. She turns her head to face the pitcher, her chin just above the left shoulder, her countenance showing no signs of nervousness. The pitcher takes a few moments to survey the situation. Danielle maintains her stance, looking statuesque. The pitcher launches the first pitch, a wild one that nearly hits Danielle. Instinctively, she squats to avoid being hit. “Ball!” yells the umpire. Unshaken, Danielle assumes position while the pitcher tries to regain her focus. Decisively, the second pitch is thrown right in the strike zone. Danielle seizes the moment and hits the ball with one powerful sweep. The ball is catapulted to an unmanned section in centerfield. A Grand Slam! One by one, the four Crusaders make it safely to home plate securing an early lead to a victorious outcome.

JOSEPH MARTIN BEGINS SPORTS CAREER
WITH YMCA WARRIORS

By Michelle "Mommy" Martin
Daily Gazette

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Joseph Martin, younger brother of Danielle Martin, makes his debut in the sports scene. Beginning with a 10-week stint in the YMCA basketball league, Joseph proved himself a worthy opponent. To say that Joseph eats, lives, breathes, basketball is a fair and accurate statement. And although Joseph’s enthusiasm for the sport currently exceeds his skill level, he puts forth his best effort in every game. And in so doing, he has shown marked improvement in speed, agility, and skill. In his coach’s words, “Joseph has turned out to be a great point-guard.” Joseph looks cool and collected in possession of the ball, moving slowly at first, like a cougar watching a herd of deer. The sound of the ball bouncing on the court is like a slow, steady drumbeat. Gradually, the tempo increases as Joseph sees a narrow opening and runs to have a closer shot at making a basket. However, he is soon surrounded by a pack of defensive players like lions to a zebra. He hovers over the ball, dribbling faster now, all the while looking for an open teammate. When, over his shoulder, Joseph sees a fellow Warrior with his arms outstretched. Joseph pivots and passes the ball to his teammate who, in turn, scores for the Warriors. Now that’s teamwork!