Its Officially Here

Weekday practicies, hot morning games, uniforms, after game snacks, cheering from the stands, team mom, coach dad...our lives as athletes' parents as officially arrived. UN Week ended with the official first game of T-ball season on Saturday morning. And let me tell you that playing t-ball is all fun and games until you have an early Saturday morning game. The heat of the morning quickly separates the "men" from the "boys", the serious t-ballers from the casual ethusiasts. By the second game of the season, it was easy to see how our three boys were going to fit into this spectrum. We have a grass-picker, a fair weather participant and a serious ball player. Try to guess which kid goes with which description. Think you got it? Well, here is the answer...

Isaac is the grass-picker. It seems that the grass or dirt just calls his name and his little hand is just attracted to pick up and play with whatever is on the ground. It is not long after he takes the field that he is on the ground playing with the dirt or grass. Looking at his uniform pants, you would think that he is "in" the game, diving for the ball or sliding into a base. But in actuality, he is usually the dirtest after the game because he has been playing in the dirt or with the grass.

Luke is the fair weather participant. Apparently Luke does melt when it is hot outside because after about the 2nd inning, he usually refuses to take the field or bat. He checks himself out of the game and prefers to just sit on the bench (or go home). I guess playing t-ball is not fun enough for him to endure the heat. And to his defense, it is REALLY hot outside. Most of the kids spend the second half of the game sitting on the field rather than standing.

And, of course, Alex is the serious t-ball player. He shows up to every game ready to play and he gives it his all to the very end. He stands on the field ready to play and runs the bases with intensity. He has the drive it takes to excel. It will be interesting to see where it takes him.

And I can't forget about Jack. He is probably their number one fan. He insists on wearing a baseball jersey to each game. He has served as the bat boy and eagerly awaits his turn to bat and take the field. Being just 2, his interest lasts until the end of the 1st or 2nd inning (the games are only 3 innings long) and then he entertains himself playing in the ice from the ice chest or he gets sent home early.

I have really enjoyed watching the games and practices and seeing Justin coach. The kids are so cute running the bases and batting. And it is funny to watch them end up in a dog pile on the field because they are fighting over who is going to field the ball. I am also learning how to restain myself from taking the field and "coaching" them to make all the right plays. I am really looking forward to all the sports years to come.