Oh. My. Word. Who knew serious sports started at age 3??? Well, if you live in Bryant AR, home of Cliff Lee, pitcher for the Texas Rangers in the 2010 World Series, then you don't mess around and you take it seriously even starting with T-Ball. I know it is a little young, but I really wanted Elem to be able to play some sort of sport this season, because he LOVES sports, has tons of energy, is plenty coordinated, and honestly needed to be a part of a team or something to help with him "all I do is win" attitude. Haha. So, I barely made the cut off to sign up for the registration for T Ball back in January! I headed over, and was shocked at the line leading out the door of the gymnasium full of parents signing up their kids for baseball and softball. When I told the guy how old my son was, and he asked me if he was TRYING OUT, I almost turned around and walked out the door. I seriously thought if they are worried about how well my kid plays T-Ball then I don't know if I want him to play! But I went through with it, and he finally got started with his team in the middle of March.
Elem was SO excited, I can't even begin to explain how happy he was when he got his own bat, ball, glove, helmet, jersey, and everything else baseball related that a little tiny 3 year old might need on the field! It was priceless. And I have been so thankful we signed up for it ever since! Elem ended up playing on a team with all children who had never played before, which was great because it put them all in the same boat as far as knowing what to do, who to listen to, etc! Which also includes a whole lot of interest in the dirt between bases, but oh well! There are about 10-12 little boys on his team, all ages 4-5, but 2 of the kids. Even though Elem is the youngest player on his team, he is seriously one of the biggest. Which is another reason I really wanted him to play-he is literally the size of a kindergardener, and is beyond playing with his fellow 3 year old classmates. He just isn't feeling that.
His team is sponsored by First Southern Baptist Church, and his team colors are light blue and white. Due to the length of the name of the church, Elem was pretty upset and really wanted a good team name he could say, so Seth threw out that he was on the bluejays, and we have stuck with that ever since! We ended up getting a great coach, it is his first year coaching, and he is a physical therapist, in school to be an ER doc, and played baseball at UCA for several years. Very sweet guy, who is actually pretty quiet, and genuinely wants the boys to have fun, znd just enjoy the experience while learning some of the basics. As far as his number, I got a call to pick one during the day while Elem was at school, so I was kind of in a bind-I actually texted his teacher and she asked him what number he preferred. LOL He chose number 5, but someone already had scooped it up, so I went with 6 because it was close. And he loves it. I really think he would love any number, and just knowing its on the back of his jersey with his name is enough to make him grin from ear to ear.
As soon as Elem got his jersey, he put it on and was standing in front of the mirror looking at himself and smiling. Haha. It was so cute. And he was trying to turn half way around backwards to see the name and the number and still see what he looked like. I loved it. It was adorable.
So, first game was not a hug success for us because it was about...oh maybe 40 degrees outside, and pouring down rain, and he was miserable. So my sweet little man started crying on the field and said his hands were burning. :( So I wrapped him up in a blanket and let him warm up in the dug out, while Seth was having a mini panic attack, because he thought Elem was going to loose his position. hahaha. Yes, that was a serious statement. Luckily when it got time to bat, Elem threw on his helmet and ran up to his coach at the home plate and took a swing. I thought there was going to be a major meltdown when his first swing spun him all the way around and he dd a full 360 landing on his knees in the mud. He stood up though, like a big boy, looked at the dirt all over him (which he HATES to get dirty like that) and took a second swing! He hit it so far and took off running. Mommy was so proud. My little T Ball star. Ever since it has been uphill, and he has enjoyed every practice and every game! We have had much better weather, and he has even made a couple of little friends, although I do see him giving some snide looks sometimes when the boys are goofing off because he really just wants to play ball! It is quite funny. He started at short stop for the first couple of games, and then his coach decided to rotate all the players to let them each get to play every position. Last week he played at the pitcher position and he loved it. With both positions he has gotten to see a lot of action which is a good thing, because I think if he was out in the outfield he might not be so inclined to stay in the game and would probably head off into the stands.
Elem is really actually very good, of course I would say that even if he wasnt, and has really impressed Seth and I with how mature he has been about the whole thing! I really expected to look out and see him off playing in the dirt at least once or twice every game and practice, but honestly he is really focused and there to play. On top of all the fun he is having and serious skills he is learning, just learning to be part of something-part of a real team, is really making a huge impact on him, and I am sooo thankful he is loving it! We seriously LOVE going to his practices and games, and just watching him learn all kinds of stuff. It is actually a little bit hard, watching him out on the field with his little teammates and seeing him make all these little decisions for himself, like when to go for the ball, when to run, who to throw it to, etc. Because it seems like he should still be needing me for all those things! haha. Very weird-my little man is growing up. For major picture overload see below:
Daddy helping Elem get ready to play in the field.
Gooo BlueJays!
Gibson, Elem, and Sam cheering on their teammates while they wait for their turn to bat!
Daddy hanging with Elem while he is "on deck".
Batting like a little champion. (this pic is actually from last week's game)
Daddy rounding Elem through 3rd base. Hehe.
Getting ready to give high 5s to the other team (this is so adorable to watch it is insane)
Me and my TBall stud! Mommy is so proud of you Elem.
So much fun, and sooo glad we decided to play this year! Elem is still having a blast and is so proud of himself when he does good. It makes me smile just thinking about how much fun he has out there!
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