May 17 – “The Sports Report …”

T minus 8 hours or so …

Zak and Caleb both had baseball games again yesterday, and while we were partaking of our rather busy Saturday, Josh became a sportscaster Daddy and sent us updates all the way through the games.  Here are some excerpts from his commentary.

Josh: “Zak’s first at bat – line drive past the third baseman for a single.  Second – hit first pitch to the pitcher and beat the throw to first.”

Now why, you may ask did an infield single on a dribbler to the pitcher rank as important as a line drive to the outfield?  Perhaps because his Daddy, in his church softball days, made a habit of taking huge swings, resulting in weak grounders toward the pitcher.  And he was so fast, I never saw him thrown out at first. 

Grandparent 1 response (that’s me): “All right!  Speed demon like his Daddy.  Hit it to the pitcher and beat it out.  And you can’t beat line drives.  Get him to teach you …”

Grandparent 2 response (I assume.  It appeared from the nether reaches of the phone lines.  Christi’s Dad played baseball in college, so he knows his stuff): “No substitute for speed but I am proud for those line drives to the outfield.”

Later …

Josh: “Fields from short and makes great throw to second.  Second drops the ball.  Runner over runs the bag.  Epic chase through the outfield ensues as second baseman chases runner attempting to tag him out!”

Grandparent 1 response: Now that would have been awesome to see.  ESPN top ten for sure!”

Later …

Josh: “Single off his fingers to keep the rally alive!”

And finally …

Josh: “Sharks win!”

Grandparent 1 response: “Attaboy Zak!  We are proud of you.”

It didn’t stop there, though.  Caleb’s game started soon after, and the play-by-play continued.

Josh: “Caleb singles down the third base line.”

Grandparent 1 response: “Power pull hitter!  Little Altuve!” (Not sure Josh understood the reference.  He’s not much of a Houston Astros fan.  Altuve is the Astros’ second baseman.  One of the shortest guys in baseball.  Led the league in hitting last year).

Grandparent 2 response: “The grandsons are rested and swinging.  Does Caleb have a ‘quarter a bag’ deal with you?”  Now that would be a great deal.  A quarter for every base you reach during a game.  Come on, Dad.

Josh: “No.  But his coach asked if I was because of how fast he ran!  Singled to short for his second at bat with an RBI. 

Grandparent 2 response: “Lol.  Good stuff.”

Later …

Josh: “Lead off single to third.”

Josh: “Two out single right up the middle.  Loaded the bases.”

Josh: “Hard shot up the middle, bounces off the bucket of balls and back to home plate.  Everyone advances.”

That was the last broadcast.  I can only assume the collision with the ball bucket caused such a massive catastrophe that the rest of the day was spent ministering to the multitudes affected by flying balls and splintering buckets.  So sorry I missed the whole thing. 

Psalms 25:20 says, “Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.”

Father, thank you for the miracle of texting.  It was lots of fun to anticipate the next grand event at the boys’ games.  Oh, and please ride with us as we shoot for somewhere in Louisiana tonight.  Amen.