Christopher, the Baseball Stud

So much of my Facebook entries and blogging seem to be about James. Since he has so many different races, it seems that I have so many pictures of him. So, here, a blog post devoted simply to incredible feats by Christopher on the baseball field.

Like his brother, he is a natural at first base. He has a great glove and a good sense of the game.

He also can swing a bat. In the last few games he really has gotten the feel for how to smack the ball and get it to the outfield. He's a strong guy.

If you look really carefully (and largely magnified) you could see the ball in his glove. He turned and headed off the runner from second. He knows the game.

Look at that stretch. Sheer athleticism.

Last defensive play of the game. Picks it up at first (with nice form with that hand over his glove).

And makes it to first for the out.

I love being the mom of boys!

Striiiike!

Oh, my. Watching your son pitch is one heart-wrenching experience. Christopher had decided at the end of the summer, pitching might be ok. Last Saturday, Coach Swope called him in.

You could see the nervousness on his. The faces he would make when the pitch didn't go exactly the way he wanted it....they just made you want to go sweep him up and give him a hug.

He struck out two. I love that face. It's an ever so slight smirk and a quick fist pump. Love it. Of course, no pictures of that. Maybe that just a better memory in mind.

That first inning was one for the books. A batter did get on base. (We reminded him that if they're hitting it, it was probably a strike. Got to depend on your team.) That batter eventually stole all the way to third.

An awesome play at home.....he was OUT! A shutout inning for the Dodgers and for Christopher.

For mom, it was whew.

Out at Home

Pressure was on. Christopher was called in to pitch. He has been off and about whether he wanted to pitch, but he has been practicing with Coach Clint, just in case. We were very behind and Coach Swope needed a pitcher.

He clearly had not been pitching a lot, but he was getting it across the plate. The inning went pretty quickly...he had a strike out. Some of the batters were able to hit him since he was getting it across the plate.

One thing that is hard to get your head around in minors is covering a base since you can steal for the first time. Coach is constantly yelling at guys. One thing that definitely doesn't come naturally is for the pitcher to cover home plate when the catcher doesn't snag the pitch.

I was too busy watching to catch it on film, but Christopher and the catcher pulled off a brilliant out at home. The umpire even came over to tell Coach that he hardly ever sees that in this league, but that both of them did exactly what they were supposed to. Way to go, Christopher!!

Christopher's Turn

He's just the cutest. I have lost count of how many baseball seasons we have had - seems like 100s. I had reach a point of saturation, but now I find myself enjoying being at the ballfield...maybe because it's so familiar. And, maybe because I think my Christopher is just an adorable baseball player. Don't tell him, though, because boys are supposed to be handsome - not cute or adorable.

I have been trying to get pictures of all the kids - my reputation from phototaking during All Stars preceded me and the expectations have been high. That said, I have mostly only been to night games. Good lighting for about 30 minutes and then you have to get pretty creative. Maybe my reputation won't be so good for next season.

One of the nights, the coaches invited me to come onto the field. The ump came over to advise me that he usually wouldn't let a parent sit there, but....well, I was the exception (sweet Southern smiles work wonders). Little did he know that since one of the coaches is the commissioner of that league, he would have gotten outranked regardless.

I love the pictures under the lights, but only when they aren't moving. It gets a little tricky with motion. I have learned that's when you do creative things to make it look like you meant for them to be blurry. I think making the photo look like an antique is a really, quick easy way to do that and I do like the effect. Seriously, how could you not use a photo that shows this kind of focus even if it is significantly flawed?

But then, color is really the best when they aren't moving. Sorry, Christopher, you're just too adorable.

Baseball!!

Today was baseball Opening Day for Christopher who is playing in the minor league. This is a pretty fun, but sometimes stressful league because the kids (and I say kids because the best player on our team is a girl so it's not the boys) can steal. It's also very stressful for the catcher. There are plenty of wild throws so that stealing from first to second is quite a common occurrence. Christopher played catcher an inning and didn't do so badly. It's definitely a position that takes some practice and some confidence.

It was an absolutely beautiful day. The kind of day that you should be out watching a baseball game. (Wow, did I just say that? Not too many years ago I thought I was going to keel over and die from being at the field so much. I was actually looking forward to the season starting - maybe it just reminds me that it IS going to be warm again.)

It's also a little dangerous even if you're not the pitcher. Those wild pitches I mentioned earlier.....

....they can come at your head, your body, your bottom. You really have to be on the lookout.

My brother and his wife, Tony and Joanna, were here this weekend with their two boys. Chaos and fun. The younger nephew had a Taekwondo tournament. (Aunt Jojo, forgive me if I totally butchered the spelling - totally new at this.) We went and watched him this afternoon. I was so proud of him and so glad we were able to see him compete. I'll get you some pictures of that - it was something to see.

For those of you who asked about all my little health questions - the quick update: haven't had a migraine in a couple of weeks. I'm thinking the best thing is to stay away from head doctors. For the heart beating in my ear, the second MRI showed nothing new. There seems to be nothing to be concerned about, but also no ideas about what to do about it. Maybe back to the drawing board with my regular doctor. Lastly, I just have to say that I'm finding as I get older, my chiropractor is my new best friend.

I hope you all have a blessed Sunday tomorrow and that you are having all the teachings that lead up to Easter that I am. I love this season.

Baseball Heartbreak

It was hot.  CBT has swimmer's ear, which by the way, is an infection of the middle/outer ear.  Didn't swim growing up so I never knew that.  I also never knew it is painful.

The district tournament started today.  It was a hard fought game and we were truly in it to the end.  CBT really struggled today - he is so hard on himself.

I really hate that I didn't get my "focus dot" in the right place for this play.  He made an amazing catch in right field.  Tomorrow is another game at 2pm.  Now that we are in the losers' bracket maybe we can catch a break (or maybe a ball- LOL).

Out of the Mouths....

Whoa!  Too much going on for sure.  I have thought about sitting down to share almost every night this week, but we just have so much going on.  The two additions to the current schedule are swim and All Stars for Christopher.  We have a long history with All Stars, albeit with a very short reprieve last year.

Christopher has grown up so much since last year and has actually asked us if his attitude has  been better.  Tonight he absolutely amazed me.

I have been taking pictures of all the kids at practices and our scrimmages.  Yesterday I took a bucket to stand on so I could get above the fence so get better shots.  It was one the hubby had that had a nice, cushiony seat on it.  Well, tonight when we headed back to the park I realized I had left it.  I got in a really bad mood really fast.

In the car Christopher asked me why "[I] was so negative about the bucket" and then that I should "be more optimistic."  We both prayed for my attitude (and that the very nice bucket that any baseball coach would envy would still be there).  How did he get to be so wise?

By the way, check out the buzz that his dad gave him today.  Isn't he precious with that haircut in his catcher's gear?

CBT Gets to Pitch!

This past week CBT got to pitch.  He's been wanting to, but has had to wait his turn.

Pitching is so nerve-wracking to parents, especially in pee-wee.  Those strike zones are so tiny. For anyone who has never had a kid playing pee wee or doesn't remember, the goal at this age is just to get it over the plate even if the batters get hits.  Then, the defense is supposed to hold them.  To me, it just seems like so much pressure.  

He stepped right up.  I didn't know how he would do because he really hasn't practiced that much.  I guess he was throwing strikes because they got two hits off him, which resulted in runs.  That frustrated him a little.  

Another guy hit it right to him.  Not a good idea - he fielded it and threw it to first for an out.  He then struck out another two batters.  Whew ! I was so glad that was over.  It can be a long inning when your child walks in the 5 run limit.  Not that that has ever happened to me.  Ok.  Maybe once.  

The look at on his face when he got that last strike was priceless.  Maybe it was just me that felt the pressure.