Play ball!

With the crack of a bat, or maybe the schwing sound of the pitching machine, our lives again revolve around our children's athletic endeavors.

At least it's warmer than hockey.

This week.

Sydney's playing a combination of coach-pitch baseball/t-ball (translation: if the kid doesn't hit the ball after a couple pitches, they let 'em hit off the T. Also, if the early games run ridiculously long because the coaches just keep pitching, then they only use the T in the later games so that they can finish before dark). 

Sydney's doing pretty good at hitting and throwing, but not so good at choosing a batting helmet that fits her large head.

Thankfully, she's got a first base coach who's happy to help with adjustments once she reaches the base.

Sydney's first game was Monday. It started more than a half hour late due to the other games running way too long. And so they only used the T. Sydney's really good at that. She nails it on the first try every time. The problem with that is trying to get a picture of her swinging. By the time the camera is focused, Sydney's already running to first base.

She's already got the snack/drink break part figured out.

AJ's league, meanwhile, has been going for a couple weeks. AJ, who really wants to switch hit, worked out a deal with his coach (a.k.a. his Dad). He can try batting left, but if he strikes out, then he can't do it again the rest of the season. His first time at bat, he was feeling a bit nervous and so batted right to warm up. And nailed a single.

The next time at bat, he switched sides and pounded the ball into left field. (AJ's dictating over my shoulder right now. I missed the awesome hit because his sister chose that time to fall off the monkey bars, land on her back and get the wind knocked out of her.) But AJ assures me it was a  most impressive at bat performance. Other parents told me the same, not realizing the significance of AJ shifting to the other side of the plate.

His next game is tomorrow and he's already planning to start off batting as a leftie.