Jo and I have an early summer ritual, if you can call it that. I/we get a schedule of as many of our young people who are playing ball, write them all down on a calendar, and then make every effort to see as many games as possible. We started doing this several years ago and thoroughly enjoy going. Several things stand in our favor: first, if the kid’s teams are playing each other (we cheer for both sides) we get to see as many at one time as possible; and two, the ball fields are all in one place. We will do, as we did last night, go from one game to another. We see the parents (some are there every night of the week) and chat with them. Try to see the kids and let them know we are there. Then move on to the next field. Just for reference, there 7 fields at the sports complex. Last night we caught a break. Kids from the church only played on 3 of the 7 fields. There have been nights when they were on 5 or 6 of the 7!
It starts with T-ball where the little ones are so tiny they look like specks on the field and they are more a comedy routine than ballplayers. I was speaking with one mom last night and her son will not swing at a pitch thrown by a coach (they throw 3). But put him up to the T and he is raring to go. Our grandson played T-ball and he was serious back then, so there was no playing with the dandelions or staring off into space or running to the wrong base. But for these kids, it is their first foray into sports. They graduate to the next level where the skill set is somewhat better. They still like to play with the dandelions, and still wander into space, but for the most part, they are “getting it.” Hitting coach pitch is sometimes a challenge, but I can see improvement as the season progresses. Of course, they keep moving up in age and the skill set gets better. We watched some pretty good hitting and fielding in the 7-8 year olds last night. It is still coach pitch but the kids are getting better. Then we walked to Field #6 where fast-pitch girl’s softball was being played. Some of those girls really get it. Coach is one of the moms in the church and there are several girls on the team. I think it is safe to say coach is a bit more intense than the girls, but I also know she just wants them to play their best.
It is fun watching the progression as they age. From the “lostness” which is T-ball to the intensity which is late adolescence, the kids do what they are supposed to do: improve (for the most part). Sort of like the Christian faith. Begin as a baby and as maturity happens faith deepens. Staying the same is not to be an option.
My biggest issue last night? I under dressed and had to leave since shorts and a t-shirt were not made for the weather. You’d think I would learn since I am “mature.” 🙂
