Baseball- Big and Small (Part 2)

Yesterday, I blogged of our trip into the city to watch the Pirates. You may have been wondering where the small part of baseball comes in. Well, that is today.

Mikey (age 6 "and a half") is playing T-ball this summer. I should say it started out as t-ball, but now it is coach pitch. I am happy to report that Mikey can indeed hit a moving target. He hits well and the ball does most often roll all the way into the grass of the outfield. Once it even landed there. A true double! Now I will admit the fielding skills of this group of 4-7 year olds is not that of a well oiled machine. The ball in this league travels much slower than the runner, but they do try. Outs are made if the ball is hit directly to second base and it is a force out or the runner does not realize his (or her) hit is not a foul ball and does not run. Ah, beginner baseball.

There are a few of the older kids who show some fielding skills. (Biased mother warning!) Mikey almost caught a fly ball at Saturday's game. He was playing shortstop and the batter connected with the ball, sending it in a high arch in Mikey's direction. He moved the few steps needed and got under the ball, glove raised. The parents on our side of the field hushed and leaned forward knowing what a great accomplishment this would be.

Smack! The ball landed squarely in Mikey's glove, there was an intake of breath by the parents, then the dastardly ball dropped from the leather to the dirt. The parents let out a forlorn "Uhh". Mikey picked up the ball and threw it towards first base to complete the play (batter was safe due to slightly off throw and missed catch by firstbaseman).

I cheered. Not because I was rooting for the other team but for two other reasons: 1) Mikey actually (for a brief moment) caught the ball. He was trying hard and was not scared of the ball falling down at his head. 2) There were no tears over dropping the ball. He stayed in the game and was happy with his attempt. Will he try harder next time? Yes. Will he remember to use his other hand to cover the ball and keep it in the glove? Yes. Will he remember the time he dropped the ball and missed the out? No. He will remember it as the time he almost caught a ball "from midair".

I love beginner baseball. It is not a game to sleep through. I would miss the great accomplishments of rising stars (my guy, being one of them).