The Mighty Alex

The Mighty Alex
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

T-Ball season is almost over, and it is safe to say that Alex's team is the best natured group of kids in a team sport I have seen. They are really a great collection of kids.

On top of that, they are pretty good atheletes too. Last night we had to play the dreaded Red Sox. Last week, during a rain out, their coach called me and yelled at me for not playing outside when there was lightning. Huh? So before the game I asked all the kids to try extra hard and they did. We would have gotten 9 out of 11 of their batters out in the first inning (Alex helped on 2) and our kids were hitting to the outfield, while theirs were dribbling to the pitcher. In retrospect that was funny because they were the organized team that practiced a half hour before the game, whereas we showed up at the last second.
RAP (6.29.2006)

The Streak Continues

The Streak Continues
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

The streak continues; Michael has now had a hit in his last 23 at bats (it might be more) that took him to base. For a while I was worried that we had jinxed him though. His fifth hit was a pop fly that landed right into a kids glove; thankfully gravity took over and it fell out and down to the earth. Michael's second hit was another "Big Hit," the aftermath of which you can see in this picture. The centerfielder has the baseball because Michael hit a fly ball that went about 45 feet up and landed 10 feet beyond second base. It was a very good hit. I am certain there are many things wrong with his stance, but compared to his teammates he looks like a pro and it seems to be paying off in his consistency.
RAP (6.27.2006)

Safe

Safe
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Occasionally, you can communicate with someone else in such a way that you are able to convey more than words; you are able to communicate an understanding. One of my best examples is talking to Alex about the 'easy way' and the 'hard way.' When that clicks with him, he really gets it and surenders to it; you can see it in his eyes as it happens.

Recently, I have had good luck in communicating with Michael. Instead of saying 'play hard' to him, I told him that one day, if he is good enough, he might be able to be a Dodger. His eyes lit up with a spark and he has had a hit every at bat since. Yesterday he was not feeling so well, and we almost did not go to the game, but he had a good game (3 for 3) and seemed to get better during the game. As I put him to bed last night, I pointed out to him that he has had a hit in at least his last 17 at bats. I told him that he has about 16 more at bats left this year and if he can keep it up he might be able to get 33 in a row. His eyes sparkled, mouth grinned and you could tell there was only one thing on his mind.
~~~RAP (6.23.2006)

The Gang

The Gang
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Jenny was the boys hero 2 weeks ago; she took their jerseys and had their names put on the back, and now they are quite the dapper gents of the diamond. Alex's whole T-Ball team, with the exception of one kid, really seems to enjoy playing.

Alex has done pretty well fielding the ball; I worked with him throwing the ball last week and somehow that ruined the way he throws the ball! No matter how he throws it, he is having fun and will run halfway across the field to try and get a ball!
RAP (6.22.2006)

Slugger

Slugger
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

It is starting to sound like a broken record, but Michael is really doing well at the plate. Even the times he misses, his form is better than the other kids. He was 5 for 5 again Saturday, but there were a few close calls. He hit high pop ups right to the first baseman and pitcher in different innings.

Fortunately the Athletics could not catch (on that day, our team could not either!). Even though they were close to being out, Michael loves hitting the ball high in the air, much more so than hitting a line drive. His best hit of the game was line drive though. Right by the pitcher, through the second baseman's leg and past the centerfielder. He got to second with it, but he could have easily made it to third!
RAP (6.21.2006)

Night Moves

Night Moves
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

Friday night the Muirfield association had a dive-in movie, and the boys "had to" go. It was the first of three they are going to do this summer, but this one, "The Pink Panther", was the only one we had not seen. The coolest part is that they let the kids take rafts to watch the movies on; on my way home from work I went to Toys R Us and then Target to find suitable floatation devices.

Enough with the dry description, the important part is that the boys had a very good time. All the kids were wearing glow necklaces (which helped the lifeguards watch them and made the atmosphere festive) and the half hour before the movie was chaotic fun as all the kids rafts were colliding in kinetic frenzy!
RAP (6.20.2006)

No Turning Back

No Turning Back
Originally uploaded by Jagrap

What defines the summer ,more than anything else, to Michael and Alex is the pool; it opens in at the beginning, closes at the end and they are always there for both. When they think back ,they will remember the blue water surrounded by the green trees; they will remember the snocones and hotdogs, but most of all they will remember all the times they jumped in the pool, recklessly and especially the times they did it with their brother.
R.A.Patton (6.16.2006)