Baseball, Baseball and MORE Baseball

All three boys played baseball this spring--each on their own team.  That meant that every Saturday we would have three different games to go to, two of which Paul coached.  No wonder we felt so busy the last month and a half...  

Jack played T-Ball, his first time playing this sport.  He Loved it!  His team was the Phillies which he thought to be especially cool.  Paul coached the team of three-year-olds, most of whom had never picked up a bat and a glove before and had no idea what to do.  Being in charge of such a team requires a level of patience and gentle instruction that not many could muster.  Paul was amazing!  He was so good with the kids and so calm in the very frustrating situation that first-time T-ball players create.  Coach Paul would position everyone just so, then the second he would turn around they would all scatter.  And that was just the tip of the iceberg of mayhem.  But, he did it with a smile and a great attitude and several parents expressed their awe at how great he is with the kids.  It was tough!  Jack had a ton of fun, however, and thought it so cool to have a team of his own since he is so often a spectator at one of his big brothers' games...

Sammy is a fantastic baseball player--he is good in the field, he can hit and catch--the kid is a superstar!!  He had a bunch of his buddies on his team (that Paul also helped coach), and looked forward to every Thursday night for practice and Saturday afternoon's game.  In addition, he is always looking for someone to have a catch with him any time on any given day... 

  

Max graduated from the Y league and moved up to an instructional team at East Side Little League.  He always had two (and sometimes three) games a week, which, while keeping us very busy, was tons of fun for everyone.  Max learned so much and his skills progressed significantly throughout the season.  He discovered that the position he really likes to play is catcher.  Sam and Jack loved going to his games since there were always a slew of other kids for them to run around and play with.  (There was one field in particular--their favorite-- where they would get so dirty). Paul and I enjoyed watching the games, of course, but also the sideline camaraderie and the cheering on of Max and his teammates...