T-Ball 2015

I wasn't able to attend Nash's first 2 t-ball games this year (his first) but, when I went last night, I hoped the little ones would still be green enough to give us plenty of entertainment.  I was right!

This is Nolan's second year playing t-ball so he knew the ropes and was one of the star players.  He could hit the ball and knew enough to run to first base when he did.  I think most of the little ones, both boys and girls, were newbies who had trouble hitting the ball and, either stood there not moving or chased the ball they'd just hit into the infield.  It just warms your heart to see these little people trying to learn the game and it further warms your heart to watch the patient and dedicated parents and helpers who do their best to teach them.

One of the most endearing moments was when one little girl made it all around the bases to home base but, like a lot of the kids, didn't realize she was supposed to actually touch home base when she got there.  One of the fathers was the home base coach who tried to explain that she should touch the base but she didn't seem to understand so he put his foot on the base and pointed at it to demonstrate.  She still looked confused for a few moments and then tentatively put her little foot right on top of his.  How absolutely adorable!

These t-ball games never fail to impress anyone who watches them over the course of the summer.  Most of the children arrive wearing grossly oversized team shirts and with no idea how the game is played.  It is a joy to watch them learn and become confident.  Not all are stars but they don't have to be.

Nolan is too cool this year to play in the dirt during the game like he did last year but Nash made up for it.  At any time there were at least 3 or 4 kids digging in the dirt instead of watching and participating in the game.  Another 3 or 4 were having private conversations.  There was even one play where not one of Nash and Nolan's team were aware that the other team's batter had hit the ball and was running for first base.  This will all improve over the next 2 months, though, thanks to those wonderful volunteer parents and helpers.

Occasionally a player gets hurt and you hear wails coming from the field.  It's usually one little kid who got trampled in the gang rush to get the ball.  I didn't hear any wailing from kids who just wanted their mother, though.

It was a beautiful warm late spring evening to be out in the fresh air watching our youngest generation learning the value of sports.