Game #9 - Hit & Run

Hello friends and welcome to my weekly bitch session about boys baseball.  Tonight's edition includes the coach (sitting on the bench or) standing next to the drink cooler while the team takes the field, kids not knowing where to throw the ball and no direction whatsoever. 

As I sit in my foldable chair, fuming, I am happy to observe on thing, my kid actually sitting on the bench and paying attention (for most of the game).  Good job Max, so proud of you making great choices.  OK, rant over, here are the highlights.

Max had two good hits, but was thrown out the first time and hesitated to run to first base the second time (don't worry we had a long talk about "run no matter what" in the car on the ride home).  Luckily, they called it a tie (instead of an out), and he got to run the bases.  Check out the video (yes, that's me yelling into my camera, I'm a multi-tasker).

He played left and right field and second base, well I should say, he stood in left and right field and next to the bag at second. Sometimes he even put on his glove and tried to watch the game. Rather uneventful, although he looks like he's ready.

The other team was good (or should I say well "coached"), and got 5 runs each inning.  As usual, Max claimed it a victory, so we went home happy.  Don't worry, he has another game on Wednesday night, so expect more on this topic soon.

Game #8 - That's It, Next Year I'm Coaching

Max and his team played game #8 tonight, and boy was it hot (the weather, not the game).  I say that again because, the kids get little if any direction.  It isn't uncommon for the coach to not offer any feedback before, during or after the game.  So in quiet frustration, Lant told me the above title, next year its his show.  Hopefully the boys will all be back to play together, but the coaching staff with get an upgrade. 

Any ways, Max played well getting one hit off the pitcher and another off the "t".  The pitching is a bit inconsistent for him.  Max loved playing catcher, because he got to see the ball and practiced his throwing with the other coach.  Love how the player from the yellow team wasn't as sure about Max's throwing ability! Oh well, it isn't about winning, just how you play the game (although Max is counting this one as a win of course!)

Game #7 - Holyn MVP

Game 7 for Holyn and she played awesome despite the hot temps.  She grabbed her goal early (almost immediately) and proudly wore the green jersey until her teammate scored.  She was right in there banging it out with the other team, very determined and aggressive.  She even kicked some shots away keeping the blue team from scoring.  After the game, Lant walked up to her and said "that was your best game yet"!  And Holyn beamed with pride. Way to go Holyn!!

Game #7 - Running the Bases

Max was a hitter tonight with two great at bats, and he definitely enjoyed running the bases.  The running part comes pretty naturally (thanks Dad).  He didn't have as much enthusiasm for the fielding part.  I caught him several times doing this (see below).  Oh well, he was the snack person tonight and kept the team happy with Gatorade and choco-covered granola bars. 

Indiana Jones Birthday

After much discussion and a year of hyping up the party (in Kindergarten) , we had Max's birthday celebration (a week early) at "Do It All" sports complex.  Max wanted an Indiana Jones party and knew how he wanted everything including the invitation. He asked to have his face on the invite over Indiana Jones, wanted an Indiana Jones cake (and not just any Indiana Jones cake, but one that resembled the 4th movie about the crystal skull) and dress up like Indiana Jones with the hat and jacket.  Wonder where he gets that attention to detail from?  But I have to say, he sure does look cute!

I started the cake about 2 days in advance and probably spent WAY too much time on it, but in the end he loved it.  I made the temple first, and just kept adding stuff until party time.  The kids loved the fondant snakes, rocks and leaves.(Holyn is already deciding how I will construct her masterpiece out of fondant in September.)  All in all, the kids ran around, had fun and ate the cake.  So mission accomplished, until next time.

Game #6 - Kicking and Screaming

Holyn and the Critter Gitters, played their 6th game tonight.  We almost stayed home for this one, the sky looked pretty dark and ominous at times, but stayed clear (sometimes sunny) for the game.  We found Holyn clip-on sunglasses to help keep the sun out of her eyes and she was set to play.  About midway through the game she scored a goal!  She jumped up in the air and screamed her head off (and so did we on the sidelines).  Of course I didn't get a picture of it at the time, so here she is recreating it for mom after the game. Look at that face!  To make it authentic she kicked the ball into the net too, that's my girl!

Game #6 - I love laundry

Look at these knees... baseball pants seem to be the bane of my existence lately.  All this loveliness happened before he even took the field!  I don't know about you, but apparently rolling in the dirt and wrestling gets you ready for the game.  Anyways, Max did a great job batting tonight and hit a great line drive his first attempt at bat.  He high fived the first base coach (a dad volunteering) and jumped up and down for a while.  But with the five run rule in effect, he got left on second base. Lant and Holyn joined us midway through the game (Holyn had practice again tonight).  Max played near the pitcher tonight to start and tried his best to scoop up that ball and rocket it to the firstbaseman. On his second try at bat, he hit the ball, got on base, but eventually got thrown out at third.  He did his time in the outfield next and ended the night as the thirdbaseman.  I ended the night in the laundry room.