Go Dinosaurs!!

Spring 2014

After soccer season, we decided to try out a new sport and embarked on a tee-ball adventure.  We even convinced Daddy to be the assistant coach.  Mommy always has fun going out to buy the new uniforms and equipment - the little baseball gloves are too cute!

Here's my little man at his first practice, sporting a baseball shirt and Ninja Turtle cap:

This was his first attempt at hitting the ball off of the tee.  Look at that form!!

Followed by a little fielding practice:

They played their games at a little diamond in a corner behind the YMCA.  The games were very relaxed.  Each inning, every child went to the plate and swung until they got a hit, then they ran to first base while the other team attempted to field the ball and throw it to first base.  They advanced with each successive hit, and the last person up to bat got to clear the bases as if he'd hit a home run. Sometimes, I think there were almost as many dads out on the field as players!  We played as many innings as would fit in an hour - usually 3.  No outs, no runs, no stress - Jack has told me a few times that he liked it better than soccer because he didn't have to run all the time.  Ha!

Here's my little cutie waiting for his turn at the plate at the first game:

Assistant Coach Daddy often played the part of batting coach:

Here he is on third, waiting for his chance to run home:

And my little first baseman:

Each inning they played the field, they rotated positions.  As pitcher, they had to wear a helmet to deflect any stray balls.  Jack is playing pitcher here, in the green helmet, crouched and ready to field any ball that comes his way!

In this league, the kids weren't required to wear baseball pants, but we bought some for Jack a few games in.  I love this shot of him in a giant helmet and his cute baseball pants. Someday, he's not going to let me call him cute in his baseball pants anymore, so I have to enjoy it now!

I'm probably over-doing it with the photos this time, but I can't help it.  Here's my pitcher, waiting for the ball again:

And hanging out in the outfield:

Jack gets his turn at the plate - from the looks of this photo, it was Strike 1 :)

Followed by a big hit!

When the season started, Tommy was a little nervous about being a coach, but by the end of the season, he was really enjoying it.  I loved getting to watch my boys spend time together.  Dad helped with everything - from fielding advice:

To batting assistance:

And high-fives whether Jack wanted them, or not :)

I also love that he is becoming friends with some of the boys on his team.  Quite a few of the boys on this team played on his soccer team as well, and many of them will go to his elementary school when he starts kindergarten.  It's a little blurry, but I loved this one of Jack and his buddy Jayden:

Little sis Livi was at every game, cheering for her big brother, just waiting until she's old enough herself. Here she is trying out Daddy's glove:

At the end of the season they all got medals.  Jack liked his medal, but I think he was just as excited about that giant Gatorade!

 

All smiles with Coach Daddy after the last game:

Of course, we had team pictures, too.  Jack's cheesy half-smile was the best we could get , but he still looks pretty adorable, don't you think?

 

And here are the Dinosaurs - with the preppiest bunch of names I've ever heard - (bottom) Dylan, Carver, Hamilton, Jack  and Cash  (top) Tristan, River, Reece , Jayden, and Coach Lynsey (assistant coach Daddy declined to be in the photo):

They would all do a team dinosaur "roar" before and after each game and practice - one of the boys would always scream the highest pitch scream I've ever heard - not sure what kind of dinosaur he was. :)  I can still hear that fearsome roar...Go Dinosaurs!!