Kid's Sports: T Ball

Baseball is in full swing, with opening game day for many local leagues happening this past weekend. Our family was a part of the fray, squeezing in a game between other activities.

Daniel was a trooper and gave up his afternoon nap (before his last night shift of the week) to attend Jack's first game.

Practices have been pretty comical. As you might expect with 4 and 5 year olds, there is a lot of looking at the sky, throwing dirt, using gloves for things other than catching, etc.

Thankfully, Jack seems to be enjoying himself. 

When I asked him what his favorite part was, he said "hitting the ball."

During the game, each player gets a chance to hit the ball and run the bases twice (for a total of two innings with no score). The last hitter gets to hit a "home run" and runs all of the bases at once.

For our first inning Jack went last and he loved getting to run all of the bases.

In the second inning, they batted in reverse so Jack was first up. We had to tell him to stop at first, and each subsequent base.

Evidently where we live baseball is a pretty big deal, and it can be taken really seriously (even on the T Ball level). 

I have to say that we are very pleased to have fairly laid back coaches who encourages parents to get out on the field to help direct the kids.

The kids have a little bit of a herd mentality as they try to simultaneously field the ball and throw to first.

Jack managed to field and throw to first once, and was pretty proud of himself.

Jack's team is the Hot Rods and he was really excited to get his jersey and ball cap. He wants to wear them everywhere.

I don't know if we will be a baseball family forever, but it is fun to see Jack make new friends, and learn some new skills along the way. 

With practices every Monday and games every Saturday for 8 weeks, it helps with our goal of getting outside everyday!

A glimpse of what 4 and 5-year-olds look like practicing T Ball.

Lots of herd mentality, chasing the ball during their first game.