Tanner Plays Ball

Tanner was so excited for his first t-ball game. All weekend he was reminding us that he played on Monday night (as if we could forget with Brian coaching!). When the day came we worried the game might be cancelled as it rained hard all morning. But by noon the skies had cleared and we even saw some sunshine and blue skies.

After all these years of getting to watch Jake play games it was finally Tanner's turn to play instead of just be a fan. He has spent so much time practicing in the backyard and on the Green with his dad and big brother (and sometimes his sister who plays outfield and pretends to be a "fairy" who flies to wherever the ball lands). When asked what his favorite thing to do is, he answers, "Play ball!".

He was a stud! Seriously, that kid's got talent. His stance is perfect- almost funny to watch as it is

so clear he is imitating the pros. His swing is right on. He can catch high fly balls. And he's got an ARM on him. He has obviously watched a lot of sports on TV and has benefitted from the years of watching Jake's teams play. He played first base in the first inning and made two plays there. His friend Evan was on the pitchers mound and those two play together at least twice a week so they had it down. He knows just where to stand and just where he needs to be when the ball is hit. He obviously gets so much joy out of playing the game.

It is so funny to watch these little guys play. Bless Brian for coaching. He is so patient and positive with the kids- even the ones that clearly have never seen a baseball game in their lives and have no clue how to throw or how to pay attention for that matter! They look so small out there on the field. I love how everyone gets to hit and there are no outs and everyone gets to run the bases until they "come home".

Such a difference from kid pitch (which Jake is playing this year). Suddenly the competition is on

and winning matters (at least to the players and coaches) and kids are aware of their individual performance. Ugh. I love it but it also terrifies me watching Jake and wanting so much for him to succeed because I know how much it means to him. So... the innocence of t-ball is so great.

Last night's game was too long by half an hour- all the kids were fidgety by the end- and it was COLD outside (everyone was bundled in hoodies, coats, wool hats, and gloves, not to mention blankets!) but it was so much fun to watch my boy in his element. My Tan Man. He was so happy and so excited to be there, clearly proud of himself and hamming it up in the outfield in the 2nd. Yes, this is one proud Mama.