May 16 – “Baseball 101”

 

 

Jachin's baseball practice has become Jachin and Micah's practice.  Since several guys quit the team Kel made arrangements for Micah to play up with the big guys.  He looks so little out there, though.  Micah, not Kel.  He is just five years old and the others are seven and eight.  The last practice was a good one, though.  Micah made contact numerous times during batting practice.  He needs to get some strength in his arms, though.  One time when the ball hit his bat it knocked the bat back into his helmet.  Ouch.  The two new kids - who have never played before a few weeks ago - did pretty well, too.  The older one, a boy, still has a ways to go, but when he remembers to actually look at the ball, he can make contact regularly.  His little sister is older than Micah, but about as tall.  A mere wisp of a thing.  She finally hit a few as well.  She has great batting form.  Her problem is keeping her eyes open.  She always has a smile on her face, though.  So does her brother.  Either they really like baseball and don't care if they hit or not (which endears them to me because I loved baseball and couldn't hit a bucket of balls), or they are just happy to be there.  Either way, it is refreshing to have them around. 

 

Things didn't go quite as well at the game, though.  All the little guys struck out every time they batted.  Didn't seem to quell their enthusiasm, though.  Micah did an admirable job in left field.  Had two chances to get the ball and throw it back to the infield.  On both occasions he threw toward the right base.  And after a few bounces and a roll the ball made it there.  His cohorts the new guy and gal also had a chance or two.  The girl did pretty well.  She picked it up and flipped it to the shortstop who had dashed out to meet her.  Her brother knew he was supposed to pick it up and throw it, but he threw it backwards to his sister instead of toward the infield.  That's OK.  One thing at a time.  Coach Kel was frustrated with an umpire call early in the game.  Our shortstop caught a popup and when he was transferring the ball to his throwing hand, he dropped it.  Should have been an out.  Meanwhile the runner from first was standing on second, so our guy picked the ball up and tagged him.  Should have been a double play, right?  Nope.  The call was that he didn't catch the popup so everyone was safe.  Tough call.  Led to three runs.  Not that it made a difference in the final outcome.  We lost 10 to 3. 

 

I'm working on the coffee making presentation.  Maybe tomorrow.

 

1 John 3:1 says, "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him."

 

Father, encourage the little ones.  We all need it.  Amen.