Didn’t get around to this yesterday, but it was Opening Day here. The boy chose not to do baseball this year. The lass, in contrast, could hardly wait. The fact that I’m coaching the team is gravy for her.
Compared to previous Opening Days, this one was more efficiently run and better for the kids, as far as I’m concerned. In previous years, after the players and coaches were introduced for all of the Tee Ball, Coach Pitch, Minor League, Minor’s Softball and the Major’s baseball and softball teams there would be a long procession of talking that really made it tough on the kids. Their strength is in movement, not sitting and listening to people talk about things they don’t care about.
This year, they eliminated almost all of that, stripping the morning down to the bare essentials of the introductions, singing the National Anthem and having the players and coaches recite the Little League Oath. It was a welcome change since it allowed us to get right to the games. It was doubly welcome because it was cold yesterday morning. Probably in the 40’s or so with a nasty wind that made it colder. The kids were troopers, but they were definitely getting stretched to their limit.
As for our games, we played 2 one-inning games. Our guys hadn’t even had much practice at hitting and running the bases, since I’d only had our first practice this past Monday. Never-the-less, they performed well. They all hit the ball and ran the bases and, generally speaking, caught on quickly. They took a bit to figure things out in the field, but once we started getting the swarm defense going in getting after the ball, I knew we were right on schedule. I was even able to get them to throw the ball to 1st base a few times.
The lass did fine as well; although, since she played at third base, she didn’t get any balls hit her way. But she hit the ball well and, when we were done for the day, she got to yell “BATS!” for our team cheer. So she left with a smile on her face.
They tell me that’s what it’s all about, so score one for the good guys.