This week I got to partake in one of the most American things I've seen in a while, T-Ball. I'm sure there are thousands, no, tens of thousands of kids in big cities and small towns donning helmets and gloves.. holding bats and balls for the first time. Really beginning to understand what baseball is all about. They are learning so many things that they will carry through life.. Mostly they are just kids having fun.. Kids as young as 3.. hitting a ball and running like the wind to a base.. most went to first base.. some just ran willy nilly, but were soon set back on course by the coaches and parents.. Everyone Cheered for each kid on each team.. shouts of encouragement were made.. the kids were all grins as they crossed "home plate". Everyone got a turn.. I'm sure someone kept score, but we never did know what it was. I don't think any of the kids even asked if they won.. they just knew they played, and it was fun. As you can tell from the picture above sometimes the kids ran after the ball, sometimes they just ran.. LOL
This is "Sissy", she is one of our "adopted grand kids".. this is her first year for T-ball. She told me after the game that her coach said she was a good runner. We were so proud as she got the first out. All the kids got to bat once each inning.. They had fun. heck, I had fun.. the bleachers were full of mom's, dad's, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and neighbors... there was free pop and popcorn for the players after the game .. provided by the "concession stand".. there were also shirts and hats.. provided by one of the local Churches so much fun..
I had to laugh when several of the kids, who had been drinking water like fish since they arrived, saw an opportunity and made a b-line for the potty room.. LOL the game had to stop for a few minutes until the outfield returned from the bathroom.
They had so much fun...
One of the things that touched me was the attention of the coaches from both teams for all the kids. I could see that this was not easy. trying to keep a swarm of energy filled younguns contained, and focused was no small feat.. In the end it all amounted to several lessons learned.. Teamwork, it's always more fun to work together, Water in large quantities is not good for small bladders, Mom's are always ready with snacks, tissues, drinks, hugs, and bandaids. Everyone should watch the ball, playing in the dirt may be fun, but you should not do it while you are playing T-ball, people who don't know you will yell your name and tell you what a good runner you are, and lastly high fives after the game should be gentle.
yep, what better way to spend a weeknight.. in a ball field in a small town, or large city, swatting mosquitoes and catching fireflies, watching kids play ball, and Having Fun...
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