Last night at around 9:30 PM, Matthew's baseball season, which began the last weekend of January, officially ended. Usually baseball ends for us the last week of May. I was very much looking forward to the end of the season this year. My mind was filled with glorious summer visions of school planning, baby shopping, catching up on blogging, and lazy evenings by the pool with the boys, but with a week left to go the coach from one of the all star teams approached us and asked us if Matthew would like to play ball for him this summer. Matthew's eyes grew wide and gleamed with excitement, Kent's heart filled with fatherly pride, and my plans quickly vanished into the thick, muggy, Atlanta air.
Don't get me wrong, I was thrilled for Matthew. He's a great baseball player and has been wanting to play on all stars for quite awhile, but we wouldn't allow it until he got to the 9-10 year old age bracket. We've known several kids who start playing all stars when they are 6 and are just burned out by the time they are 9. It's a HUGE commitment, and to be honest it was much more time consuming than I anticipated (and I was anticipating A LOT!) One of the kids on Matthew's team has an older brother that plays on a traveling team. The family is never together. The mom's birthday was last month, she and her son went out to celebrate because there wasn't any night that everyone in the family could be at the same place at the same time. I guess I'm just not that committed. Matthew was able to make every practice and only missed one game so Kent and I could attend a 40th birthday party for one of our best friends. Call us crazy, but some things are just more important than baseball.
All in all it was a great experience for him. He was the starting 3rd baseman, which is not a position he's used to playing. He did an amazing job, and we are extremely proud of him! They lost more than they won, but that never got them down, and they always had fun. He did complain about the heat quite a bit, but we were quick to remind him that it certainly could be worse .... he could be playing in Arizona!
Sounds like it was a good experience. My kids did t-ball and softball this year, and are both itching for more. Their classes were held at the same time, even at the same school campus, but on opposite ends of the buildings. I had to drive back and forth - I am not looking forward to a repeat.
Posted by: Paula in MN | July 17, 2008 at 06:51 AM
This is a great post! Good for Matthew that he got to experience All-Stars!
Sign-ups for fall ball have already started and i've yet to sign 'em up [the 3 girls]. but the weather will be nice and it's more laid back. They'll have fun and we'll have fun watching :o)
Posted by: Shelly | July 17, 2008 at 08:01 AM
One of those baseball seasons each of you will remember in your own way, but the memories will all be good. Standing ovation and a big crowd wave to Matthew, his brothers and to you and Kent for going above and beyond this baseball season...all of you are ALL STARS! We love and miss you very much.
Your biggest fan,
Mom
Posted by: Mom | July 20, 2008 at 10:34 PM