Zac picked up a mitt for him at Target and we had the hardest time getting it on his hand. He would get frustrated and throw it off. Eventually we got it on once & hoped that was enough. The first night of practice, Beckham stayed home with Zac and I took Grayson. His coaches are a married couple, Richard & Hope Jordan, and they are awesome. Richard just grabbed him from me right away-which made the transition easy because we hadn't seen Max yet-and asked his name. He told him and then he said, "You're going to be catcher first." He got him dressed up in the catcher's gear {which was a dream come true for my lover of all things costume} and they went from there. Trey & Keegan Johnston are on his team {it's 4-6 year olds}, along with a few other kids we knew from Miss Krissy's. There are boys & girls and all levels. None of them totally know what they're doing, so Grayson fit right in. (;
He did awesome! Just like every thing in his life, he TOTALLY exceeded my expectations. It wasn't that I thought he'd be bad at it, I just thought he wouldn't like it and would have to be talked into going back. Totally opposite, though. He LOVED it! He was a total sport. He listened to his coach amazingly well, he did what he was supposed to, he would occasionally look over at me and say, "I'm doing great, Mom." It's tball, but they pitch to the kids without a tee three times first. He hit it twice without the tee! He knocked it to second base both times! Totally proud mommy moments. Then he'd just stand with the bat til Coach told him to drop it & run to first! (: He did great in the outfield although I can tell he gets bored. He definitely prefers catcher, pitcher, and batting to anything else. Afterward they had a team huddle & shouted team. He didn't put his hand in or say Team, but he stood close to everyone & participated, so I was happy. Afterward we learned Max had not known about the practice & I was so bummed I hadn't called Courtney beforehand. I know Grayson missed Max. At the same time, I was happy to see he could do something that was a "hard thing" for him without the security of his best buddy there.
The whole way home he was bubbly & kept exclaiming how amazing he was at that game! He called Grami as soon as he walked in the door and said, "Grami, guess what? I just got home from baseball practice and I won!! I was super awesome at that game." Haha! Humble, too.
The second practice was much like the first. Beckham went with me to watch from the sidelines & wanted so badly to get in the game. Gray did great. He even hit another pitched ball! Max ended up being on the opposite Adrian team, but at least they'll get to play with each other at the games. We love that kid! Grayson was a bit slower tonight & a little air headed. He did great, but had to be told a few times to throw the ball, run, etc. I'm so impressed with how well he responds to his coaches, though. He really listens and practices what they teach. Coach Jordan has been working with him on proper bat holding/batting technique & I watch him get into his stance and then raise his elbow, pull his shoulders back, bend his knees, and look at the coach. It's pretty cool. Afterward they did the huddle again & he chose not to put his hands in again. While they were doing that, Beckham had put on a helmet, grabbed a bat & hit a ball off the tee. He totally wants to play.
On our way home Grayson said, "I am awesome at that game!" I said, "Yeah you are buddy. There are a couple things we need to work on {I said this as diplomatically & upbeat as possible}, like running faster, throwing right when you grab the ball, and throwing hard & fast." He said-with all the drama & disbelief you can imagine-"Are you saying I'm not good at this game??!" Haha! He cracks me up! I asked why he didn't put his hand in & shout team with the group, he said, "I don't even know those guys, Mom." He may never get the friend to all or most social player award, but at least he stands in & does his best. (:
His games started June 6th & went almost every Monday & Wednesday, ending on the 27th. He did really great. He listened to Coach's Richard & Hope, and all the helper coaches, too. He liked when it was his turn to take the treat, and he tried his hardest. I definitely noticed improvement in all areas. He hit the ball without the tee at least once every game, and LOVED playing catcher {although he never got this concept down pat}, and worked hard to improve his throwing arm. I know he got that girly throwing form from me and by the end of his season, he was drastically improved. He even began running better during games although he informed us that "running is the part I don't like." (: Zac got to help him at almost all his games which he enjoyed and Beckham loved the home games because he ran like a wild man all over the play equipment.
He's definitely my kid. I used to sit on the field when I was his age & dream about the treat! (:
{his game face}
It was fun for all of us to experience Grayson's first "sporting" experience and we are grateful for good people who have patience to deal with all those littles & put on events like this. And, for both sets of grandparents + aunts & uncles/cousins for coming to games to support him. He loved that, too. He didn't always love the idea of going to the games and wasn't stoked about it, but always did great when we got there. Glad he had an attitude of doing things even if they're out of the comfort zone & after the season was over & he said "I don't know if I want to play t-ball again next year," both Zac and I said that was okay & that he could try something new if he wanted.
P.S. For a girl who was as nonathletic as they come before getting married, I did not to expect to get so much joy from watching my kids participate in sports. Or the fact that I'd have to bite my tongue to keep from being a sideline coach. (; We are very excited for Grayson & proud of the way he embraced this new experience.
1 comment:
LOVED this post. What awesome pics and experience your family had. Way to go Grayson!
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