Little League Baseball: The Boys Of Summer Are Back!

By Cheryl Lewis

I love warm weather! I look so forward to Spring; the warmer temperatures, the sunshine, new flowers, green grass and baseball! It's finally that time again and for this family, it's going to be an exciting year. My oldest son and my daughter both play baseball and the season has started.

It's an interesting mix and blend of people at the ballpark. We have some parents who are so intense you can feel it dripping off of them. Then, of course, we have those who strongly believe that my daughter should be playing softball instead of baseball. What I have to say to those chauvinists is probably unprintable, but I will say this, my daughter knows, understands, and loves baseball. She also plays pretty darn well too. She certainly didn't come by the nickname "the Wall" for nothing.

The poor girl has heart palpitations every time her brother has practice or a game and she doesn't. She's glued to the field and usually has a rolling commentary going the entire game. She's so excited about her first game and is probably a little green over the fact that her brother has already had three games.

Oh my goodness! What exciting and thrilling three games those have been too!

My oldest son is 12 years old and nearly six feet tall. He's strong enough that he could probably pick me up and carry me around the block. Umm...that's no small feet because I'm not the petite tiny little thing that I used to be either. He's also an incredible baseball player. He's already been invited to play with the high school team and he's only in the seventh grade. He chose to play with his little league team instead.

The season is definitely going to be a long one this year, but boy-oh-boy, it's going to be exciting! Last season was cut short when my son was so determined to score a run that he dove head-first into home on a triple and an error. He left the field by ambulance with what they thought at the time were several broken bones. Thankfully, it turned out to be just a broken humorous bone, but it still ended his season early.

The first game was horrible! All the parents left the ballpark knowing our boys were not going to be happy campers. They simply got skunked in that game.

The second game wasn't well officiated, but we won. Eight of the 15 runs batted in were credited to my son. One of those was a home-run that went so far out of the park, it took 15 minutes to find the ball.

The third game was even more exciting as we struggled to keep up with the opposing team for most of the game. Our boys were told in advance that the other team had the strongest pitcher in the league and were reputed to be unstoppable this year.

We went several 3-up, 3-down innings before the bats came alive! Their team scored three runs first and it was looking bleak. Our next at-bat started off with the last batter on our roster who got on base. The next two batters got on base and then it was my sons turn. A triple that was overthrown to third sent every runner to home plate and the crowd was thrilled!

The next inning was even better! Again we got bases loaded the young man who bats just before my son also hit a triple with an error at third and he cleared the bases. We were all hootin' and hollerin' and clappin'! My son steps into the batters box and a strike is thrown and called. He steps out, takes a breath, gets mad and steps back in the box. The pitcher throws, the bat makes contact and you know within seconds that ball is outta here! Another home run for my boy!

I was so proud of that home run! My son was in a slump last year and although he managed a beautiful homer last year, this year he's like a new kid on the field. He's a leader on his team and leads with style, dignity, class, grace and an attitude of a firm hand in a velvet glove. He doesn't allow bullying of the younger kids and he doesn't allow the wilder boys to get out of control. Everyone has commented on his leadership ability and style.

I AM proud!

None of the above gives me the joy and pride that I felt when my near six foot young man came to me after his home-run and hugged me. That hug meant SO much! He didn't hide a hug for his mom. We were right there at the fence where everyone, anywhere near that field, could see this young man hugging his mom. It's not the first time either, he hugs me at the ball-park all the time. What made this different and special is that he had just come off the field from a homer and all eyes were still on him. He came right over and hugged me!

Talk about making a mom feel special!!

Oh I LOVE baseball season!

Although, I'd say if you ask me how I feel about baseball about mid-June to mid-July, I'll probably give you a different answer.

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Cheryl Lewis may be contacted by email at  Willow4@Suite101.com.