Baseball Kisses

Barry and I have enjoyed our visit with our North Carolina grandchildren.  We watched the season opener of the Blue Dogs T-Ball Team.  (An interesting name the team gave themselves; however, when their uniforms came they were blue, but the name "White Sox" is printed on them.  Since none of them can read, they have no idea that the words are not "Blue Dogs." ) Back to the game.  It was Will and Julia's first game of the season.  Julia was first up to bat.  They started in numerical order and she is #2 (She picked the number 2 because she was the second one born.).  Will picked number 5 because that is how old he is now.  So the game started with the players batting in numerical order.  Julia was up to bat.  She hit the ball and ran for first base!  She had reminded me earlier that I was suppose to cheer for her.  Of course, what she didn't know was that this proud Nanny was going to do that anyway.  There is a feeling of pride when you see your baseball player at bat.

When it was Will's turn to bat, he was excited.  His coach told him that he was "hot dogging" it and that if he continued, he would miss the ball.  Will was showing all the confidence in the world and I'm sure he envisioned himself as a great batter ready to "let the meat hit the ball."  After several misses, Will decided to quit "hot dogging" and "let the meat hit the ball."  The ball went straight toward the pitcher's mound and Will ran to first.

The game was a tough one with the opposing team showing the same aptitude as the Blue Dogs.  Each took his or her turn to bat and had the opportunity to run to first base.  Sometimes the player would forget he or she was the person on base and would run out after the ball when the next batter hit it.  This was a learning experience for each team, their parents. and grandparents in the stands.

Each player of both teams had the opportunity to bat.  When it came Julia's second time around, she approached the home base with confidence.  Will yelled encouraging words to her as she stepped up to the plate.  She put the bat on her shoulder, then turned toward Will and blew him a kiss.  Maybe the major league players should adopt blowing kisses as a way to encourage each other.  Oh, well, it was just an idea.  I guess it works better for five year old's than it would in the major league.

Will loves to catch the ball.  Well actually none of them really catch it, they all run after it--at the same time--and this can prove to be a real head banger.  They take it in stride and go back to their places on the field.  The coach has taught them how to bend their knees and hold their gloves like real baseball players do when they are ready to catch the ball.  Picture these miniature players in their cool uniforms, baseball caps, bent down with their ball mitt in their tiny hands just waiting for the crack of the bat as the ball takes off the T-stand.  They are looking at their parents for approval and sometimes have to be reminded to keep their eye on the ball.

We have the second game on Thursday.  It will be another interesting game being played for four and five year old's.  Julia gladly let a teammate have her turn on first base when he cried at the first game.  She told him she would take the next turn.  Will is working on not getting angry when he misses the ball and another teammate gets to it first.  The team is a work in progress.

What do adults learn from watching a T-ball game?  We learn that it doesn't matter whose turn it is to bat, I can wait for mine.  We learn that if a friend is on the other team, we cheer him on too.  We learn that it is just a game and it doesn't matter who wins, it was fun to play.

It is me again, Lord, thanking you for the opportunity to watch a T-Ball game where children come with no expectations of doing any thing more than having fun with another group of children.

A little Georgia Wisdom:  Enjoy life's lessons from a child's point of view.  It looks a lot different from their perspective.