Play Ball!

It seems that mid-January, at least in California, is the beginning of baseball season. Kelly and Michael have played soccer for four years now, I played for six years, and I never played baseball as a kid, so my rhythms are set to the soccer rather than baseball. But Michael had expressed a strong desire to play baseball, so when Little League signups came around last week, Michael looked heavenward and declared, "my dream has come true!"

Tryouts for the T-Ball kids were this morning. There is something great about showing up at a baseball field, mitt and ball in hand, tossing the ball back and forth with a bunch of other little boys and girls and their parents. The diversity in skill was broad, as could be expected. There were kids who shied away from the ball and threw it like a shot put. Inevitably, there was also the kid who showed up in proper uniform pants, with a big glove, big arm and big dad. Just as inevitably, the same kid could hardly get the ball off the tee. (Okay, I'm going to try real hard not to be a typical Little League parent, but that gave me a little satisfaction.)

The tryout was pretty simple. Hit the ball three or four times off the tee, run to first, then field a rolled ball from a coach and throw it back. I worked with Michael on the throwing and catching, and his Grandpa has been working on his hitting for weeks. Grandpa wins the prize. There were several kids who struck the ball with authority, and Michael was one of those. He hit the ball very well, fielded well, and threw the ball accurately to the coach. (Trying to remember that bit about not being the typical Little League parent...)

We stayed around a while for more throwing, which gave me a chance to show Michael where all the positions were from the perspective of the field level. It was a very fun morning for father and son.

Some pictures:

After waiting nervously on the dugout bench, Michael is on deck, getting his helmet:


Ready to step to the plate:


Now batting, Michael!


A couple of action shots. Good follow through:


Keeping an eye on the ball (or where it just was):


Running to first:


Getting into fielding position:


Playing catch: