Grand Slam

As I shared last week, A. has been struggling to make contact with the coach pitch. 

He can do it, I know he can...but when he averages 50% tee/ 50% pitch hits....well, you gotta start working with him at home.

So, that's what we've been doing.

And we've been encouraging him to level out his swing, calm down a bit (he gets nervous at the beginning of every game), and just for good measure, I bribed him with an ice cream stop if he hits a home run of the coach pitch.

So, I just need to set the scene for you....as I'm reliving it for myself as well,

bare with me.  :)

We have an awesome team.  The kids are great, but I'm enjoying the parents as well.

We have the team where ALL the parents show up every game night...with extended relatives in tow.

All the parents know all the kids names on the team,

and we cheer them all on- by name.

Not only that, but the boys are encouraging each other on the field as well.

It's a great chemistry, it's a great team.

Last week, A. hit a home run off the tee.  He prooved that he has some strength....

...but it had the "tee" looming over the hit.

Coach started calling him "T-man" to razz him up a bit and keep him motivated to keep trying to hit off the coach.

So...Thursday, A. went up to bat, and kept dropping the bat on his swing. 

He tried...but the referee ended up pulling out the tee. 

Poor A, he was so discouraged.  His body posture slumped, and he looked at me with a frown.  A few other moms were like "It's ok, A....just blow it away now!" 

I gave him a "thumbs-up" and told him that he has complete control now, and just have fun.  (He hit a line drive out to left field and got a double.)  Later, D. gave him a few pointers about loosening up his grip a bit and encouraged him for next time.

We're a great team like that.  :)

In the 4th inning, A. was up to bat again.

Swing, miss.

Swing, miss.

Swing.....

* * * * * * * *  TINK  * * * * * * * * *

(you know, that PERFECT "tink" of the ball hitting the bat in the sweet spot)

D. FLIES to his feet. 

Arms in the air, running up to the chain link fence, hooting and hollering all the way.
(I can honestly say I've never seen him more physically excited and amazingly vocal about anything!)

The coach yells, "Soccer players...HEADS UP!  Incoming!"

The ball is FLYING out of our baseball park.

ALL the parents get to their feet....

....shouting my son's name.  Praising him.

 ...clapping for all their worth.

The kids in the dugout were jumping around like jumping beans....hollering A's name.

                            Then, I look up:

Alex is hitting home plate.

Kirgin is rounding third.

Max is flying past second.

Bases were loaded.

My boy just hit a grand slam.

A. continued to run the bases....

....with the BIGGEST smile on his face.

My heart was swelling.

(I have to admit I was choking back a tear or two.)

He did this!

He did it!

All on his own, he did it!

The three boys that ran in on A's hit waiting for him at home plate...jumping up and down, cheering him on.



He made it in, greeted his teammates at home plate...

...and the parents stood up to cheer again.  Shouting kudos to my son.

D. met him through the chain link fence and gave him some "pounds" and a "way to go buddy!"



A. received more accolades from the coaches, and was swarmed in the dugout. 

High-fives, hugs, and back pats abound.

My son had perma-grin.

I slipped around the back side of the dug out and waited for eye contact.

When he saw me, he ran over and gave me the biggest hug.

He said, "Thank you for your help, mom.  I love you so much!"

Quickly followed by

"When do I get ice cream?!?!?"

This is one of those moments that I never want to forget.

 I'm so proud of him, and I'm so proud for him.

My son hit a grand slam.