Tee Ball

As Hadley was enjoying her dance classes this spring, Caleb was getting his own opportunity to try something new. Last year we gave spring sports a try starting with soccer since it was pretty much the only league that permitted four-year-olds to join. This time our boy opted to sign up for t-ball instead though, which I was excited about because I enjoy watching baseball and the feeling of being at the ballpark.

Our practices started in the middle of March, and being the star t-ball parents that we are, we actually showed up to his first practice without bringing him a glove! Neither one of us even thought about buying one until we got there and saw all the other kids with theirs. A no-brainer - yes...I don't know where our heads were! (Oh wait, yes, I do...we have three little ones to keep up with!) At least it makes for a good story and a good laugh.

Thankfully the coach's son had a glove for Caleb to borrow.

Almost as soon as we arrived, Hadley began crying that she wanted to play t-ball too. We brought a little ball for her and Reid to play with, but she just kept saying she wanted to be on the field with the boys. Eventually, Mommy even had to take her to the car because she just couldn't get herself calmed down. Poor thing!

Why do big brothers get to have all the fun?

Reid just wanted to get in that big dirt mound!

With soccer, Caleb cried at almost every single game and kept coming off the field. He didn't follow directions well or really interact with the other kids much. From the first time we walked on the t-ball field this year though, I could see so much growth from last year. He went right in there with the others and made friends, listened to his coaches, and hung in there the whole time. Part of this maturity probably comes from just being another year older, but I also really think that going to preschool this past year helped him grow a lot in these areas.

Kicking up the dirt.

Throwing the ball back and forth

Running bases

By the second practice, we were a bit more prepared. Dave and Caleb both had gloves actually.

Coach Jackson, the head coach, asked Dave at the first practice if he would be interested in being an assistant coach. While Kevin didn't know what he was asking since Dave had never had any real baseball experience in his life, my hubby decided he could at least help with crowd control and jumped in to help.

I was proud. I was tickled. And, I really enjoyed seeing him do this with Caleb.

Look over at the fence. NaNa showed up! Caleb had to come off the field to say hi.

Get ready, Daddy.

Dave showing them how it's done (or maybe they're teaching him a thing or two, who knows).

One night, Daddy even took his son out into the front yard for some extra practice. (We regretted they didn't get to do it more often, but we just never could find the time!)

We had all kinds of crazy weather to contend with that month and several practices got canceled to due to rain and even one because it was just too cold. Nonetheless, the boys got quite a few opportunities to get out there and brush up their skills. From beginning to end, you could definitely tell their were starting to understand the game better and were much better prepared for opening day when they'd get their first shot at playing against another team.

Dirt is such a good source of entertainment.

Hadley was bummed once again not to be on the field, but getting filthy in the gravels provided some solace. 

Whack it out there, Caleb!

At one point Reid just wanted his daddy. How sweet is this picture of Dave coaching with his baby boy snuggled in. 

The coaches really had to direct the boys on how to do just about everything - not that they didn't know what to do a lot of times, it was just hard to focus. Attention spans are short at this age!

Safe!

Head to second!

Once we even had to practice in an adjacent lot since they were doing some work on the fields. No problem though. Coach Jackson made it work. A little batting practice, some opportunities to work on catching - they kept polishing their skills.

Reid was a booger during this practice. He cried almost the entire time as we sat in the car. Nothing consoled him...except for a few puffs which didn't really last either.

Finally opening day was here! Time to show off all that hard work!

My dad's brothers own a diner called The Knotty Pine that has deep roots in our community. They began sponsoring t-ball teams years ago when my now teenage cousins were small and continue to do so. How sweet I thought it would be if Caleb got to play for them as well, so I put in a request and thankfully he got the chance to represent their restaurant.

Caleb and Dave had to be there early for team pictures so they went ahead of us.

We had to go our own direction though because Hadley had dance class that a.m., which I had to make arrangements with my mom to pick her up from since Reid and I had to leave early to make it to watch Caleb with his team. I was so afraid I was going to miss his first opening day ceremony as he walked out with all the other players on that big field for the first time, but we got there with plenty of time to spare.

I loved this moment when Caleb came away from the group of teammates around him to give his baby brother a little attention through the fence.

He even showed him off to a few of his friends. 

There they are folks in the center - my boy and my man!

After going home for a bit, back to the field we went for the game.

Walking on the field for his first game.

See Dave holding down the fort over there at the dug out?

Hit it, Caleb!

Yes! He did it!

Run!

Second!

Caleb played right field...well, when he wasn't playing in the dirt.

Yep...that's my kid squatted down with his glove in the red clay.

Base hit #6!...Actually, in t-ball, they were only permitted to go one base at a time until it was the last hitter. 

Watch out, Second Base. Here he comes.

Rounding third!

Though I hoped I'd be that mom who never missed a practice or game for my  kids, when you have three of them, sometimes there are conflicts. I can't remember which of my younger two got sick (maybe it was both of them), but we had to stay home at least once maybe twice. We tried our best to be there when we could to root on big brother though!

Look up number 6!

Poor fella accidentally scooped up a glove full of dirt and threw it in his eyes.

At least he's paying attention here.

Look at that runner...looking like a big boy!

High five!

Coach Jackson: Are you going to hit it to the moon or China?
Caleb: Which is farther?
Coach: The moon
Caleb: Okay, I'm going to hit it to the moon.

From doing dugout duty all season, Dave was reassured that the some times trying behaviors we fuss at Caleb about are just typical little boy quirks. "There all like that!"

They had trouble staying focused on who was next, keeping their hands to themselves, staying out of the dirt, keeping up with their hats, etc. etc. etc. (Glad it was Dave's job and not mine. Hehe!)

Granny even made it out to one of the games one Monday evening. Reliving the days when she used to watch Tatumn and Bailey play for the same team, she commented on the cute things the kids were doing just as they had when she'd seen the others play about ten years ago. Playing in the dirt, fumbling around, not sure which way to turn - some things don't change. 

Keep them in line, Coach Dave.

As entertained as Granny was to watch Caleb, she enjoyed watching Hadley and Reid too. From Hadley's fascination with the rocks and dirt to Reid trying to climb the fence and making friends with another toddler, she got a kick out of both of them.

"I'm really just here to play in the dirt."

"Are they going to fuss at me if I climb this?"

"I'm going for it. You be the lookout."

While we tried to bring toys with me to some of the games, the kids were never interested in what they had. When other kids showed up with toys though, they were all about them. We ran into the little fella in this picture a few times who tried to share with Reid. My youngest son did not understand the concept of passing the ball back and forth though and cried every time I helped him give it back to his friend. Each time he got it back, off he'd run with his treasure, hoping Mommy would just let him keep it.

There was never any doubt when we went to the ballpark; we were going to come home with kids COVERED in dirt. That said, planning appropriate attire was important to prevent stains. I got so cracked up one day in particular when I found that Dave dolled Hadley up in this pretty little skirt outfit to go to her brother's game.

Even if everyone came home filthy, I wasn't worried about it. Soap and water fixes that right up and at least it kept the little ones in one spot for a while. Since Dave was coaching, sometimes it really made it difficult for me to keep up with Reid and Hadley when they were wanting to run in different directions. Some days it was so hot out that I tried to keep them in the shade, but at this age they just didn't understand the concept that it's cooler out of the sun and ran right back to the gravels...Boy were they prone to wander too. Here I was trying to watch my eldest play ball and they were often going in two different directions...It sure wasn't the relaxing days of sitting on the sidelines at soccer....I constantly had to be on my feet, quick and alert.

I really appreciated those times when my mom was able to be there to help me keep up!

One night in particular, I was trying to keep one eye on the game...

Trying out the "pitcher" position (even though they don't really pitch in t-ball obviously)

What a little cutie - Droopy Drawers!

Yay! Third base. 

Ready to head to home!

...and one on both the other kids. Hadley had befriend one of the other coach's little boys and was chasing him around exploring mud puddles. The next thing I know, I look over to see Hadley and the little fella sitting on the bleachers right as she leans over to give him a kiss. While he tried to dodge her, my lovie girl was not dissuaded. She just kissed him on the arm instead. I walked over and gently told her we don't kiss boys except for Daddy and our brothers to which she confidently responded, "I kissed him!" as she pointed to the one next to her. (What are we going to do with her? She's a mess!)

He IS pretty cute...Good choice, Had.

Reid and Hadley were so hard to keep up with, that one night I told Dave I was going to hire a sitter so that I could focus on watching Caleb without distraction. It was a super hot day and the game was right at their nap time, so I thought it would be better for them to stay indoors and sleep anyway. It worked out well for all of us.

Notice that back pocket hanging out? That's because he spent a good portion of the game collecting rocks. (His new hobby.) Coach Jackson, who is so good with the kids told Caleb he'd have to take them out while he was hitting and running the bases but promised to hold them for safe keeping until he made his way back. 

Little slugger

Good hit!

We had some new neighbors who moved in the house down the hill from us. When Dave went down to introduce himself, they asked if Caleb would be interested in a hand-me down t-ball bag for his bat. He definitely was and made good use of it.

By the last game, we were ready for a break in some ways from all the running about, but were were definitely sad to see the season come to a close. All of us, Caleb, Dave and I, had developed good relationships over the course of the few months that we were a part of this team. I got to reunite with a friend who I went to high school with named Meghan (the team mom/head coach's wife) as well as make some new friends. Dave got to meet a few great guys through coaching. And, Caleb got a good opportunity for socialization as well.

Seriously, we couldn't have asked for better coaches, parents, and players. Everything went very smoothly. While I observed some of the adults from other teams being hard on the kids at times, both the coaches and parents we worked with were very positive, especially our head coach who God seems to have endowed with the gift of working with young kids. He was so patient and uplifting constantly - a good example to all of us for how to rightly handle those moments when little boys are just being little boys.

They look so little. :)

Aunt Courtney even made it to hang out with us for the last game. See her knee to the left.

Climbing again...they story of our life.

Yes!

What a good head coach we had. He was always so encouraging to the kids.

He still liked playing in the dirt even by the last came. Old habits are hard to kill.

After the game, Coach Jackson and his wife had a special treat for the kids. Trophies, medals, pizza, sodas, and sweets. They did a little award ceremony right there at the shelter by their ball field after the game, again always encouraging the kids.

A fine looking team.

More than anything Caleb was SOOOO excited that Coach Jackson gave him a Sprite. While he's only had it maybe 3-4 times in his life, he says it is his favorite drink.

Coach Dave, Coach Kevin Jenkins, and Coach Kevin Jackson congratulating Caleb.

So proud!

When I told him they would be awarded something special that afternoon, he asked, A medal!" "A trophy!" I responded, which he was pretty satisfied though still hoping for a medal. What a treat and a surprise to find out that Meghan had ordered both for the boys!

As I collected our team picture and his trading cards, t-ball was officially coming to an end.

We are already looking forward to next year, and I hope Caleb ends up on the same team with the same coaches and many of the same players who are are still in his age bracket. This was definitely a great experience for us all.