All-Star Weekend

Capping a 10-month period in which he received a Most Improved Swimmer trophy from his swim team and made the all-star team for his soccer league after scoring 20 goals in eight games, Michael concluded his sporting year by being selected for one of the two teams our baseball league sent to a Memorial Day tournament. The teams are selected by the coaches, and Michael was solidly in the upper half of every coach's ballot for the "B" team. Our team of 12 players was equally divided between 10-year-olds and 9-year-olds. As one of two regular-season coaches with the kid on the all-star team, I was also named one of the coaches for the team.

Our league sent four teams from two divisions up to Sacramento for the weekend. We all stayed in adjacent hotels that have large meeting areas, a pool and a basketball court. The parents got together over food and drinks while the kids played endless games of basketball and elevator tag, with baseball games offering an occasional diversion.

Stealing third

We had a great time at the games. Our first game was against an overmatched host squad, which we beat 15-1, with the score and duration of the game limited by mercy rules. Our second game was against a good team (which eventually played in the championship game). Every time we scored, they matched us. We had trouble against one of their pitchers who threw nothing resembling a fastball, while we also managed to keep their bats in check. We took a 6-5 lead into the bottom of the sixth (last) inning, but they came through with two runs to win the game. We were disappointed, but satisfied that the game had been played at a high level. After dinner back at the hotel, the kids played basketball together until long after the sun went down, suffering no ill effects whatsoever from the loss.

With the loss, we knew our chance to meet the "A" team from our league in the championship game was gone. Nevertheless, we wanted to finish the three-game tournament with a winning record, so we focused on playing well on Sunday against our next opponent, another good team. It was another closely-contested affair. In the bottom of the fifth, we managed to induce grounders to our shortstop (Michael) and our third baseman, and our tall first baseman used every inch of his length to stretch for their throws to get critical outs.

The pitch is on its way ...

Ground ball to short ...

The throw to first ...

Got him!

The game went into the sixth inning tied, 5-5. Let’s go to the highlight reel …

We scored three runs in the top of the sixth, the first driven by Michael, who stretched what was really a single into a double, and the second, game-deciding run, scored by Michael on a close play at the plate on a passed ball. The other team clawed back one run in the bottom of the sixth, and had runners on base, but our pitcher finished off the game in style with a strikeout.

Finishing the tournament with a win against a good team in a well-played game was a thrill for everybody. It was a pleasure to coach a team that was solid from top to bottom, which is of course the nature of any All-Star team. Michael played very well, leading the team in steals and third on the team in all other offensive categories. As shown in the video (captured beautifully by Cheryl), he came through in the clutch when we needed the leadership of the experienced players the most.

It always gives me a thrill when my kids get to represent their town on special teams like this. I'm especially proud of the hat I received by virtue of coaching the game. I got the hat not on my merits, but because Michael earned it for me. It brings my baseball coaching career to a very satisfying conclusion.

Next year, Michael will go back to being one of the young kids in the next division. However, he has proven to himself and others that he is a capable player with developing skills and, most importantly, an abiding love for the game. We are both a bit worn out from the long season, but I am certain that he will ask to go to the schoolyard to hit balls at the next available opportunity. That's fine with me.