Take Me Out to the T-Ball Game

Last fall Cooper played soccer, and every time we walked to the soccer fields, passing the baseball fields, he begged to play baseball instead.  So this spring he was very excited to play t-ball for the first time.  His team was named the Rockies, after the Colorado Rockies.  The team was made up of kids ranging in age from 3-6 years, some who had played one season before, and most who, like Cooper, were entirely new to the game.

He was very excited for his first game.

Opening ceremonies (baseball in the South is NO JOKE).

Up to bat at his first official game.

There he is (#3) on second base.

Good game, team!

We spent many hours watching games and practices.  They had games twice a week, lasting at least 90 minutes each.  Their championship game lasted 3-1/2 hours--crazy for a 4-year-old to do anything for that long!  But I'll leave my opinion about all that aside.

We had invited our neighbor, Braden, Cooper's best bud, to play t-ball, and they were able to be on the same team.  Here they are at their end-of-season team party at the local frozen yogurt parlor.

Go Rockies!

Cooper's first trophy (which he dropped and broke about 5 seconds later before I could get a good picture--nothing a little super glue couldn't fix later.)

Cooper did really well, especially for his first time ever playing baseball.  Many times he still preferred to play in the dirt, dance around in the outfield, or chase butterflies, but there were times of extreme focus.  For instance, he NEVER failed to slide in to home plate, even when not necessary.  There was one time, however, that his slide actually saved him from getting out.  He played pitcher once--the ONE game I missed because Hudson wasn't feeling well--of course.  His coach gave out a game ball to the MVP at the end of each game, and Cooper received two during the season, which he'll proudly show you.  He even took them to preschool to show his teacher, and recently to Poppy's house when we went for Memorial Day weekend.

 

Cooper's team did very well, taking second place both in their season games, and in the championship tournament.  Here is the big guy with his tournament trophy.  It was almost 10 pm on a weeknight by the time their championship game ended, so he looks a little bleary-eyed.

We've asked Cooper what sport he wants to play this fall, and right now it's a tie between t-ball and hockey.  I look forward to him playing whatever he enjoys, and watching him learn new skills and excel at what he does.  Go Rockies, and go Cooper!