This summer, I have the privilege of assisting with both my children’s baseball teams.
To set a little groundwork, both leagues are sponsored by local clubs. The Lion’s Club sponsors the boys. The Rotary Club sponsors the girls. This keeps the season cost down to $15 for the boys and FREE for the girls. The boys get to keep their t-shirts. The girls return them at the end of the season. Our boy’s team consists of ages 7-8. The girls are ages 4-7. It’s a hoot!
Best quotes from the boys:
- “I know you put me as last batter because I’m a slugger!”
- “I’m like a vacuum for balls.”
- “Did you see me do a burnout?”
- “Watch this! I can do the splits!”
He really could do the splits! All the way down. He demonstrated it during both practice and at the last two games on 1st base and on the final out at home. Impressive!
Best quotes from the teeny tiny (mostly preschool) girls we are teaching the basics to:
- “Can I ask my mom now if I can go home?” – 2nd inning in the outfield
- “Are you sure we can’t go play on the playground?” – before the game even started
- “But I’m so sweaty!” – We really haven’t been up past 80 degrees yet.
- “I really need a vacation!” – almost done with our 3rd of 3 innings.
In addition to quotes and seeing both groups of kids learn and grow in coordination, there are obvious differences between the genders. I’m not trying to stereotype here, but honestly, this has to be nature.
From the get-go when t-ball started two years ago for our family, the boys have been eager to run, optimistic to smack the ball, and exuberant to get the games started! Now in coach pitch, multiply those characteristics by 200%.
The itty bitty girls are excited to start the game once the playground idea is shot down, cautiously optimistic about hitting the tball but not as vicious with the bat swings, and only into it for as long as required, including at least one group trip to the bathroom. Our 6-7yr old girls are definitely more “into it” than our younger ones.
Skipping between bases. I don’t mean missing a base. This is actual hop, skip, jump, skipping from base to base. Quite the creative phenomenon to witness. I’m sure if there was music, some of the kids would dance from 1st to 2nd.
Boys and girls are similarly encouraging for their teammates. It was uplifting and sweet to hear them cheer each other’s names as they stepped up to the plate. The boys dogpiled the last kid to snag a line drive on the final play of the game last week. They nearly took down our most solid-statured player (100#, 5′, 7yr old) after he hit an in-the-park grand slam. The excitement is contagious.
Summer baseball is a gift. It is pure, honest fun for the kids, coaches, parents, and friends that come to watch.
To quote our little baseball players from both teams- “I can’t wait for the next game!”
We were talking about our summers and what we have planned. Her boys are close in age to my own crew. Her schedule sounded like it was packed with fun, but BUSY. She teaches at the local college, so she has her summers at home with the guys. They have baseball and camps and practices and reading programs and…
Laugh.Cry.Giggle.Smile. 