256/365 - End of Fall Baseball

Tonight's game ended the Fall Baseball season, and the our 2010 baseball experience. The boys won their game, and the coach placed Brian 2nd in the batting line up, so he was able to bat three times (three walks, although on one of the walks he was hit by the pitch, so I'm not sure what that's called).

This Fall Team wasn't as successful as the Spring Team, but Brian gained more experience playing with bigger kids, faster pitchers without the restrictions of the younger teams.

Brian with one of his coaches, Coach Lon:


And we'll start it all over again in the Spring!

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September 6-8, Days 247-249

Monday, September 6 - Day 247:
A new home project has sprung life - Erica wants to paint her room a turquoise color, with huge circles spattered around the room. We picked out some color chips and a sample that has been chosen as THE color.



Tuesday, September 7 - Day 248:
Baseball game, Brian playing second base. At bat, he hit a big triple, then was out at first, and finally he hit a single. The team won.


Wednesday, September 8 - Day 249:
I didn't have time to get to the store yesterday, but I made it to Target this afternoon to purchase the newly released Sara Bareilles CD, Kaleidoscope Heart. I chose the Target version, as it contains three bonus tracks. I had been listening to a preview on IHeartRadio, and know it's a great follow up to Little Voice.



Instant faves:
Uncharted
Hold My Heart
Let the Rain

... although I'm sure I'll love them all after listening more.

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226/365 - Fall Baseball

After a short break, baseball is back in swing, this time with the Fall Ball league. Brian is playing on the "Thunder" team, in the Suited League. Tonight, their first game of the season.

The hot, hot, hot weather of last week has been replaced by cooler, perfectly crisp temperatures. But I thought it felt slightly chilly in the shade tonight. At a perfectly chilly 80degF! What does that tell you?

And for the Thunder, down 9-4 in the bottom of the last inning, it wasn't looking good. But the boys rallied and put 5 more runs on the board to tie things up. Brian hit a nice one out to center field, bringing in one of those runs.

Brian determined that he needs a longer bat. After striking out once, he switched to one of his teammates 30" bat and successfully hit the next two times at bat.

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Day 171 - Championship Game

After rain delays and wet fields, we finally arrived at the Farm League Championship game - our team vs the White Sox.

To add to the excitement, we played the "big field", a couple miles away from our normal field. That's because of the standing puddles of water in our normal field due to last night's torrential rains. Here, the backstop is further away from the batter's box, making the pitching / catching / stealing home dynamic very interesting.

A large crowd assembled to watch the game. By the end of the game, several neighbors and friends stopped by to watch.


Our team started out ice cold, but hung within a couple of runs. Brian knew he had to score to keep things close:


Safe!


Down by two runs at the bottom of the last inning, it was deja-vu from our last game - two big hits and gusty base running by Gracin and Conner. Gracin managed to score, but then we were stymied.

And thus we were handed our only loss of the season. I could tell the team was a little disappointed, but the other team played a great game, and I think the pressure of going undefeated got to the kids.


But, with some pizza, games and prizes, they finished off the evening with a team celebration.

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157/365 - Swing Batter Swing

Another post about baseball! With only two more games left and not much else going on at home, we get more baseball.



A nail biter game, all the way to the end, but we held the opposing team, winning 5-4. One more game remains in the regular season.

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156/365 - The Game Ball

While I was away, Brian earned the Game Ball for his performance during the Friday, May 28th game. His stats that night - 3 for 3 at bat and scored 3 runs. His team won the game against the Rays, winning 16-11.

The coaches decide which player get the game ball after each game. It's a great way to motivate and encourage the players.

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142/365 - Grown Up Softball

Hey, a shot of Scott at bat. No, it’s not baseball, it’s softball.

Buck asked Scott to play on his team of “mostly doctors” from Carle, and here we are - watching grown up softball on a hot Sunday evening. The Team’s name - the Medicine Balls. Appropriate for doctors, and goofy enough for Scott to appreciate. The best thing - these games are quick - an hour, tops.

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133/365 - Pitching Debut

A very exciting yet stressful day of baseball. Brian was scheduled to pitch an inning for the first time. We have been practicing and based on our practice sessions, I was filled with worry. Worry that Brian would hit the batter, the umpire and the sideline coach.

Even during his warm up, he was giving Conner, the catcher, a real side to side workout. But then the batter stepped into the batter box and he started throwing strikes.



Of course, I couldn't watch. All I know is that he allowed one batter on base, struck out two, and the other out was a great play by George, covering 3rd, who threw to first base for the out.

The team continues to improve and it's been great to watch.

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121/365 - More Baseball

Today's game was a makeup from a couple Friday's ago when storms passed through.
We're on a streak, because the team won yet again. Brian made two hits and scored twice.

And tonight, they are in the East dugout, which is a change from their normal (West) dugout. Of course, this doesn't prevent the boys from goofing off while they are waiting to bat.


At least he looks like he's paying attention to what's going on in the batter's box!

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110/365 - On Third Base

Tonight - our first official game of the season. A perfect spring evening.

Brian scored two runs today. And the team won the game. And it only took a little over 2 hours.

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106/365 - Baseball In Swing

The 2010 Little League Baseball season officially kicked off today with several games and Team pictures. Brian is on the Cubs team (yeah, with green t-shirts - go figure).

Each team plays 2 3-inning games. It's a chance for the teams to experience playing against one another in a "less competitive" environment (the games don't "count" towards regular season record - not that I keep track at all).


Of course, baseball requires lots of standing around. But when you're with your friends, that's OK.

Bonus - Brian batted in the winning run in each of our games - with 2 outs, and a full count. Apparently, that doesn't phase him.



So far, the team is a lot of fun, the coaches are full of excitement and positive energy. That's always a positive start.

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98/365 - Suited Up

Brian outgrew last year's baseball pants, so it was back to Dick's Sporting Goods to buy new ones. We held off until now because we wanted to make sure we purchased the proper color - you know, so the entire team matches. The coaches decided on white, so that's what we got.



We upgraded to the belted pants, too. So he can use a belt to keep them up!

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97/365 - Batting Practice

Of course, the boys started baseball practice today, this being the coldest day in the last 10 days, with cold whipping winds from the North. But I guess that is what baseball is all about - freezing your butt off as you watch....

I actually didn't stick around for practice, instead running errands and stopping off at home for some warm split pea soup (bonus from Easter dinner). I arrived 10 minutes prior to the end of practice and caught Brian in the batting cage.


The busy spring sports season has started!

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74/365 - Another Sign of Spring

Baseball!

Brian got out the glove and baseball this afternoon to play catch with Scott.



OK, he played catch with me, too. But I really can't catch for beans.

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12 on June 12

TGIF! We had lots going on for today's edition of 12 on the 12th of June.

Morning stuff -
Hannah is no longer allowed to venture outside in the morning before we head to our activities - she longingly looks outside through the window.

What is she looking at? Probably this scene, across the street.

For some reason, our neighbor had his roof replaced today. We'll have to find out why, because all of the houses in our cul de sac were built 6-7 years ago. The crew started at 7am! We didn't care because we were already up, but my, that seems early. The crew worked until 8:30 pm and almost had the roof completed. That's fast.

Today's coffee - a seasonal blend from Starbucks. Totally yummy. But I can't drink my coffee just yet.....

And the newspaper - something new for us this month, as the publisher switched from an evening edition to a morning edition just a couple weeks ago.


So why wasn't I allowed to drink my coffee yet this morning? Two words - Doctor's Appointment, complete with fasting blood work. My appointment was first thing, 8:30, but for various reasons, I didn't get out of there until 10am! My coffee was waiting for me in my car, still hot in its vacuum travel mug, but I was STARVING, and I had to get some breakfast - from the Great Harvest Bakery. A yummy orange cranberry scone.

I also bought a loaf of pumpernickel and asiago cheese bread to enjoy this weekend.

En route to work - we had more rain this week and some of the fields are flooded. The corn is WAY behind.


I followed this guy for almost 15 miles down the road.


Fast forward to after work - I made some pizza for our on-the-go dinner, as Brian had a 5:30 baseball game (the last of the regular season).


At the ball field, Brian and one of his teammates (Tyler) goof off before the game.

The we get down to business - Brian playing 3rd base here.

Scott watching Brian at bat.

Well, they lost tonight's game, but made it interesting with a rally during the last inning that fell a little short. We finish baseball season up next week with a series of tournament games.

After the game, I shot this while stopped at a stoplight. I think it is lovely.


Scott always takes Brian home from the games, but tonight they took a detour to the Smoothie King. Smoothies for everyone (except me - too much sugar in them), which were enjoyed watching "The Pink Panther" remake (the one with Steve Martin). The kids and Scott are big fans.

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159/365 - It's Me Again

I haven't posted a Friday self portrait since April and I didn't get a good picture last week on my birthday, so that's what we have today.


I did cheat a little - I didn't use the tripod / self timer gadget today - I enlisted Brian to take the picture (after Erica refused - rolling my eyes now). Hey, he did a great job!

So, a picture of my boy from tonight's game, heading out to the batter's box.


Bonus - they won the game!

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156/365 - Baseball and Swimming

Two distinctly different activities, but because the baseball field backs up to the public pool, we get to experience both together!

The pool opened Memorial Day weekend, and earlier today, with the hot, humid air, was teeming with swimmers, sunbathers, and hanger-outers of all ages. But as the afternoon wore on, a distinct change in the air temperature indicated some severe weather might be approaching. By the time we arrived for baseball, the lifeguards started covering up:


Our baseball game started, but the dark clouds closed in and the winds picked up.


Brian up at bat:


They closed the pool down due to rainstorms on the radar and 20 minutes later, the baseball game was called due to lightening and rain. We'll play out the rest of the game later.

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144/365 - Hey Batter, Batter

Yet another baseball game tonight. The last one this week. Different field tonight, which results in a slightly different shot at bat.

Brian managed to get on base 3 times. I think that makes for his most successful game so far this season.



Before the game, I walked around the park grounds and snapped this "shadow silhouette" while crossing a bridge:

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131/365 - The Waiting Game

Brian waiting for his turn up at bat - he was 4th in the lineup, aka "cleanup".

That's what baseball is all about - waiting. Wait to hit. Wait for the pitcher to pitch. Wait for a good pitch. Wait for the ball to be hit. I think 90% of baseball is waiting for something to happen! Brian doesn't seem to mind. I think he likes the waiting.

Well, the Cyclones suffered a loss today - with several kids out due to illnesses, we were a bit short. Again, the kids appear to be enjoying the game and still getting better.

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127/365 - Throwing Pitches

So the Baseball theme continues. Scott and Brian playing pitcher and catcher.

Scott gives the signal:


The windup:


Where's the picture of the throw? Well, since Brian's pitches are a little, what shall I call them - inconsistent - I thought it best not to include those.....

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