Ducklings Play Ball!!!

Okay... So recently I've been reminded that the blog has been SERIOUSLY neglected.  It's true... I've been kinda busy hanging on for dear life... what with running a successful business while three boys ping off the walls, and whatnot.  But in my defense, it was either neglect the blog or the children. I'm almost certain I chose wisely.

So I'm going to try to catch up a little by telling some of the stories I've filed away under "One day this will really embarrass my son... So I must remember it with great detail".  So let's get started, shall we?

Fall 2011
The Ducklings were 1/3 of  the Tee-Ball Team

This year Army Guy and I decided it was time to invest in some "Man Training" for the boys. So we bought some really cute white pants in size "tiny butt" and sent them out for their great American baseball education from the good folks at Little League. In the Fall they were all on the same tee-ball team.  In the spring they were placed on two different teams with Army Guy coaching Tee Ball and Assistant Coaching Coaches Pitch.  We were at the ball park 4 nights a week with practice on Sundays.  Following are highlights of the year:

Spring 2012
Huey is so proud of his trophy

Huey

Huey began the spring season as the catcher on his "Coaches Pitch" team.  I'm guessing his spring training was not quite up to par because nobody really told him what a catcher actually does. (I mean... besides being a target for the pitcher and a back-stop for the balls to bounce off of).  I'm pretty sure the extent of his training was just "squat there behind the plate".  I'm proud to report that Heuy was the best darn squatter you ever did see.  He gave 100% to squatting.  In fact, he turned squatting into an art form. He was a REALLY GOOD squatter y'all!  So here's how that went:   Bases loaded, batter gets a lucky hit. My son is in excellent squatting form.  Uh oh..... here comes the runner from 3rd base.  Huey squats and watches as the runner approaches the plate.  The pitcher hurls the ball at "the squatter".  Ball bounces off squatter just as runner crosses the plate.  Stunned, Squatter looks around in confusion.  Mother hides under bleachers while other parents giggle.  Next Game... Huey is in right field.  Mother is okay with that because she's pretty sure they have right fielders in the MLB too.  "Play Ball!"

Spring 2012
Dewey and Coach Army Guy

Dewey

Dewey played Tee-ball with his brothers in the Fall, and then by himself on Army Guy's Team in the Spring.  Dewey is a great batter and really enjoys running the bases... in his own sweet time. Fortunately, in Tee-ball, everybody gets to score!  Woohoo... he's my home run guy!

But Dewey's favorite part of baseball is being in the field.  He loves the field so much more than batting.  Mostly he enjoys searching for four-leaf clovers and little yellow dandelion flowers in the grass.  It's really important to take time to enjoy nature on a sunny spring day.  Baseballs flying past his head?  Not really a concern here.  Dewey is enjoying nature!  Sigh... "Play Ball"!

 

Spring 2012
Louie ready for the big game

Louie

Picture Louie up at bat on his tee-ball team.  He hits the tee (not the ball) and the ball rolls 2 feet in front of the plate.  The crowd goes wild, yelling "Run"!  Louie gets down on all fours and crawls really, really fast...... to 3rd base.  Fastest crawl I ever did see.  Funny as heck too!

Louie became somewhat bored with t-ball after the first couple of games.  Fortunately for Louie, there was a HUGE dirt pile near the ball field.  4-year-old boy + really big dirt pile = zero interest in baseball.  After awhile, Louie could not even be bribed with a snow cone to play ball.  He had a major dirt mountain to conquer.  Sigh.... White pants will never be white again!   "Play Ball"

Army Guy was a great coach!

Army Guy & Me

Army Guy was a real trooper!  Keeping up with two teams was not easy.  His biggest dilemma was which shirt to wear on what night.  He did an excellent job with his little T-ball players.  I sat in the bleachers and overheard parents making comments like "wow... he has so much patience... how does he do that?"  Hmmm... Yeah... how DOES he do that?

We spent four nights a week at the ball park and I got really creative with crock pot dinners.  After the third week, I stopped trying to get the white pants white (noticed most other moms gave up as well).  Half way through the season, I began to despise all things baseball and secretly hoped for losses during the final tournament.  Is that wrong? I'm happy to report that I got really into the last two games when Huey's team darn near won the whole tournament.  Now I'm ready for the fall season!  LET'S PLAY BALL!!!

After the season was over, we took the boys to a minor league baseball game for July 4th.  After two seasons of (attempting) to play baseball... they got to see what the game is really supposed to look like.  Mostly, they just liked the popcorn and hot dogs!   When asked if they are ready for the upcoming fall season, Army Guy and I heard..... crickets! 

We are currently rethinking our whole "MLB retirement plan".  :o)

July 4, 2012
The Ducklings at a Minor League Game