T-ball

T-ball.  Come and gone.  Surprisingly all of us had such a fun time.  We decided to play at the Y with our buddy Jake, along with a whole slew of new faces and families that we got to know this season.

For my sanity's sake, I combined the entire season into one post.  For my 2011 Blurb book (still have yet to do my 2010 one).  So this crazy long post is for me, the Blurb, and the grandparents.  If I ever finish it!

First day of practice.  We were on fire with excitement.  Justin raced out of the gates to get started.

Coach Chris was fantastic as our first coach.  When we had first heard about our team we were told they needed a coach.  My hubby, ex-baseball player, gave a firm no on being the coach.  Older kids is more his style.  And are we glad we got Coach Chris.

Dana and I were busy taking photos as the dads showed up for this first practice.

Ingenious idea of how to teach the boys how to catch fly balls.

But really, all anyone wanted to do was hit the ball.

This photo describes Jake & Justin to a T - Jake with a smile as he runs and Justin with an overly intense scowl.

Enter in game 1.  Cold front blowing in.  Frigid winds.  Super excited children.

Give us a hip, hip, hooray!

Getting their game face on.

My in-laws, bless them, for making this first game.  Tom took a flight from Oregon, rented a car in Dallas, and drove into Houston at 11:30pm the night before.  Mary Beth worked all day Friday and got into Houston about 9pm the night before.  All for the first t-ball game ever of their grandson.  That is some dedication!

John and Kyle came to cheer Justin on as well.  In the cold.  We have dedicated friends!

The family photo after the game.  We all then ran to the car for warmth.  My hot natured son was fine the entire time, with only 3 kids left playing at the end due to the weather.

My idea for the first 3 games was name tags n the back on the jerseys.  Both for the coach as well as the families to get to know all the players.  It worked great...and some were washed on the jersey as a permanent fix all season.

Game 2.  Pretty day, still had my rented lens from the ski trip.

This lens sold me on sports, school shows, etc. after looking at these photos.  Fixed lens are becoming my thing.  But none of it's eternal...it will all break someday!

The bats, all in a row.

Ready to run.

Getting a smile at first.  The position JT ended up the most. 

My family came in for the weekend for the game (which conveniently also fell on my birthday).

There were so many tendencies that JT had that reminded me of his father.  Back in the good ole days of baseball games 30 days a month in the heat of summer.

Love this photo.  Always running fast.

Justin was one of the oldest on the team.  The age bracket was 3 and 4 year olds, with 3 two year olds turning 3 during the season.  Big age difference, though the youngest were crazy athletic.

Team meeting after the game.  Taking a knee, as Coach Chris always encouraged everyone to do.

The fam, mostly in blue, all of which are supporting different major league teams.

Game 3.  Uncle Ryan came in town for the NCAA finals games that he and Derek went to all weekend. 

We were the coaches that weekend to fill in for the Coach being out of town.   I have room mom in my blood.  I loved being a cheerleader/bossy person.  The point was to love on the kids, which I hope they got from the encounter.

Justin hit a crazy hard hit on this one.  It was fun to watch.

The Bethancourts showed up again to root JT on.  Anna, that body language is for shame.

The Michaelis men

JT & Jake

Game 4 - Justin had asked earlier in the week who was coming to watch his game.  We chuckled and said no one.  Complete silence.  He then asked for a sleepover so he could have friends at his game.  Enter in John & Luke.

They were troopers coming along to watch someone else play.  They went in the outfield with Derek to get some tips on the game.

Here batter, batter

I have so many photos of this same position of his daddy.  So many similarities.  Same form.

Racing to homeplate.  Since we didn't keep score (boo), there were no winners and losers.  Justin would ask who won.  That time is coming, as we both think losing is a great way to prune an athlete.

All the teammates liked throwing off their helmets as they ran.  JT copied on this run.

So serious.

So vicious.

I loved this level of easy play where the parents were in the outfield with the kids.

We as Godly parents have already realized we have our work cut out for us in keeping this child kingdom minded with the sports.   Eternity is set in the hearts of men, not winning numbers or stats.  Even Derek being a retired athlete sees the value in seeing past the short life of sports.  The Lord has gifted Justin in certain ways...so how will he use this for His Glory?

The football tackle.  This is how these boys would get the ball in the in-field.  At times Derek would tell Justin he couldn't run for the ball just to avoid the tackle and let others get the ball.

I loved the end of the game when the players slapped hands.

Go Rangers!

Coach Chris had asked for a historian to take photos of the season.  My hand instantly went up, which ended up being fun to get to know the players as well.  I would walk around on the field and make them smile, pose, whatever.

Tongue out of the mouth...just like his momma (and his Papa).

One game Avery was the first base coach.  It was a family effort for everyone.

Derek wouldn't let us buy cleats, which Justin eventually quit asking for.  Derek will put his foot down and I have learned to not try and figure it out.  It's the principal, and I respect it.  Cleats won't make anyone better at anything, so let's focus on the basics.

The crew with Coach Chris.

Cheers for a great season!

The Monday after the last game (which was on Mother's Day weekend) I organized a team party to do the trophy ceremony.  We met at a park nearby, everyone brought food to share, and we celebrated.

Our first trophy.  Long live the plastic men that clutter up a room filled with dust.

Coach Chris had a blurb that compared each player to an existing or retired pro baseball player.  It was hilarious and brilliant.  Justin was Babe Ruth.

Justin with our favorite coach!

Coach Chris said they got to give a team photo to an honorary member of the team.  Then they gave it to me.  I was honored and embarrassed to be called Coach Shannon. 

That's a wrap, folks!  Til next sports season, we are happy to have our Saturdays back!