You ask him absolutely anything about football...Winston knows the answer. He's almost as well versed in the sport of basketball. Baseball is a different story ENTIRELY...we don't watch it, we don't talk about it, we just don't know much about "America's Game"...sad really. But I think that's all about the change...
Winston started baseball practice a few weeks ago. Joe's been going with him and coming home with detailed reports on Winston's progress. He seemed to enjoy it and that was the priority but he lacked alot of knowledge and wasn't familiar with the mechanics or the skills for baseball. Our first season showed early signs of promise as we have been so blessed with an awesome set of coaches and a Team Mom that makes my heart skip a beat when I receive her detailed, organized communications with schedules and times and all the things this OCD Mama needs to keep life running smoothly.
Things got a bit stressful for me when talks of a "cup" was needed for Winston to play in this particular division. A cup....for a 7 year old....really??? He doesn't exactly love wearing it either truth be told, he finds it rather...um, well....bothersome and you can imagine the constant rearranging and adjusting going on....goodness, he was just in a diaper wasn't he?? How did we get here I have asked myself!
I digress...
Because of his "late" birthday, Winston is often on the bubble for age-group divisions. He played football with 2nd and 3rd graders and the same holds true for baseball. I am always very hesitant about this stuff -- he's in 1st grade and that was planned due to his late birthday. Frankly I'd like him playing sports with the same approach but coaches and league guidelines don't always see it that way. So we press on and so far, it's all worked out. For baseball, this puts him directly into "coach pitch" and considering he's never so much as played tee ball, I worry he's not ready. He loves to prove me wrong...
We all went to practice last night and I got to watch my boy in action. He did okay catching but the throwing was quite all over the place and bless his heart, he swung and swung at that ball flying past him and just hit wind all night long. He seemed to struggle but thankfully his attitude and drive were unfettered. He was ready for today.
Fast forward to this morning...Opening Ceremonies were cute, all the teams walked the bases and were introduced along with their sponsors. (A big shout out to Biggsby Coffee!!). Charlie and Chelsea from the RiverDogs were there giving high fives and having fun with the kids. Then our first game got underway.....
We heard the coach assign Winston to left field....he proceeded to run straight to RIGHT field and tell the young man already in his correct position that he was in the wrong spot...Winston managed to incorrectly but rather effectively direct the poor boy to LEFT field. Oops....Mama got scared.....oh, I was scared. First inning was rather uneventful and then it was our turn at bat....they announced batting order. Winston was batting clean up....4th batter up....
As luck would have it, the first three batters got a base hit each...and yes, folks -- it happened.
Bases loaded and Winston was up. Pressure was on. First pitch -- swing and a miss. Second pitch....swing and POP....a base hit!! Winston's first hit and it was the team's first RBI of the season!! Unbelievable...well not really -- I call that an answered prayer. I stood behind that fence praying for that bat to connect so Winston could have a positive first day for himself, I knew he was doing his best but for this day, I did ask for a little bit more...and God heard me loud and clear!! Thank You Lord for hearing my prayer!!
Winston got to first....ran through the bases with each batter and made it to home plate before the inning was over. He played 2nd base (and yes, he really was at 2nd base!) and because he was one of the few wearing the dreaded "cup", he got to try his hand at catcher too!! They suited him up and he stood behind that plate like he'd been there before. A GREAT FIRST DAY!!
It was great fun and the icing on the cake -- his teacher, our sweet Miss Luciano, came to watch the big day. Lots of our first grade friends were playing so she was able to enjoy several of her students on opening day.
Who knows what the season will bring but for today, we're flying high and celebrating the efforts of a very determined little boy.
Go Winston and GO TIGERS!!!
Opening Day Ceremonies...Winston is right behind the coach:
A Left Fielder in Right Field...cuz that's how he rolls:
First time at Bat:
Hanging on 1st Base
Running for home
Another run
Suited Up as Catcher
Hanging on 1st Base
Running for home
Another run
Suited Up as Catcher
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