First Baseball Game

As you know from previous posts, Joe started baseball. Baseball league for 4-year-olds was primarily clinic-style. Each night Joe would rotate from station to station. One station was batting, the next station was running bases, the next station was fielding ground balls, and so on. Well the last night of baseball, the kids finally got to play a "real" game of baseball. Here is Joe's first baseball game. (Warning: Joe starts the second session of Baseball in July, so there will be many more pictures of Joe playing baseball.)

Joe's first at-bat (notice the ball just off the right side of the photo)

Joe at first base (coach Daddy & the real coach)

...still on first...waiting to run to second base

Crossing home plate for the first time. Yeah Joe!

The official little-brother waterboy: Jack

Boys of Summer

The day Matt has been waiting for finally came last week: Joe's first day of baseball. Every dad, especially those who have sons, and those who are fans, long for the day their kids start baseball. It was June 2003 when we had our first ultrasound and found out we were having a boy. When the ultrasound tech announced, "it's a boy!" I could visibly see Matt's excitement. The excitement was the promise of tee-ball, gloves, little league, bats, coaching, home runs, batting practice, stealing second, turning a double play, and one proud daddy in the stands.

Dear Joe & Jack,

You are lucky to have such a great baseball daddy. Daddy is not only a skilled player, he is a great coach as well. Daddy played catcher and 3rd base. I remember watching Daddy play for Post 15 when we were 16. I hope someday you'll get the pleasure of watching daddy swing for the fences, and use his powerful, upper body strength to easily hit one out of the ballpark. When we were in college at UNL, one summer Daddy coached 3 Babe Ruth teams. Due to the team age requirements, 2 of his teams were eligible to go to the city tournament. And not only did both teams qualify for the city tournament, both teams made it to the city championship! One of Daddy's teams won 2nd place, and the other finished in 1st place. Daddy has coached other teams, and his teams are always successful because he loves the game, understands the game and wants everyone to have fun. You are both lucky to have such a great Daddy! You may not know it or understand it right now, but Daddy is filled with such excitement when you throw the ball, swing the bat, and run around the bases.

Baseball means a lot of things to Daddy. I think it is the memory-triggering sights, sounds, smells, or possibly that shining moment when he visited Wrigley Field for the very first time. Baseball also means childhood friends Mitchell, Babs, Gaspar & sharing his passion of baseball with them. Daddy still points out the baseball field by Covell Lake where he hit his first home run. Baseball means treasures of childhood, Daddy's baseball cards and the fascination of his heroes like Ryne Sandberg. Baseball also means, Daddy's dad, Grandpa Ron, who endlessly cheered for Daddy, win or lose, good or bad. Daddy, just like his dad, is your biggest fan. Daddy will always cheer you on...and baseball will take on it's own meaning to each of you. And for you, Baseball will mean Daddy.

A Little Fun While Away For Business

My job takes me away from Amy and the boys every once and a while. Usually to warm, exotic places such as Bismarck, ND in early February and Casper, WY in mid April. This past week, I was in Newton, IA (lovely this time of year, I recommend it to anyone).

Besides finding a local municipal golf course in these towns I travel, it's rare I do anything else. However, Newton is only 25 miles away from Des Moines. Des Moines, IA, home of the Chicago Cubs Triple A team, the Iowa Cubs. The I-Cubs were playing the Memphis Redbirds and even though it was football weather, I took in the game.

I remember growing up when my Dad had to leave town for business, he would bring home the occasional surprise gift for my brother and I. I too, have brought Joe & Jack gifts in the past from some of the places I have traveled. This time it was easy for me. With summer basically in full swing, and Joe about ready to begin his first year of playing baseball, I knew that I had to bring the boys something from the I-Cubs game.

They both got their own I-Cubs shirt and Jack also received his first true Cubbie hat. Not the traditional Cubs hat, but Jack is not the traditonal little Cubbie himself either! Enjoy boys, I hope you enjoy your gifts from Daddy as much as I remember getting them from my Daddy.