Our Two Baseball Players

Having two kids playing sports is definitely a different experience.  Brody and Evan both started their baseball seasons this month with their first games.  Even with several games being rained out, it has been a busy schedule with most of the games in the evenings during the week.  And since all of our games are played about 30 minutes away in the neighboring town of Garner, it makes for a late night.  We have had about two games a week for the past couple of weeks with Brody's games starting at 6:15 and Evan's starting at 7:30.  It is a little harder to get good shots at Evan's games because of the poor lighting in the evening with the bright lights over the ball field.  I am working on getting more pictures of his games, but he has been playing very well.  He hits the ball every time at bat now although his first couple hits went right to first base so he got out.  I reminded him that was what happened to him last season and that he just needed to angle himself more towards third base.  It worked for him, and last game he hit a double towards second base and then scored his first run of the season to help his team win the game.  He is actually back to playing coach pitch this season instead of machine pitch because his current league did not have a machine pitch, and we did not want him going up to kid pitch yet.  We watched our kid pitch team playing some on the next field, and they were hitting some big hits and looked really good.  I doubt we will stay in this league though and hope to get into the league that plays in our town next year.  Brody has also been playing really well considering he is the youngest member of his team since he is not quite four.  Evan's birthday also fell right before the cut off age to begin t-ball so he started his first season at three too although he did turn four before his first game.  Brody can hit the ball pretty well although he isn't the fastest runner yet so he often gets out although they do not count outs yet which is good for him.  He is very proud of himself when he makes it to the base though.  He played third base in one of his games and actually stopped a ground ball and threw it to the pitcher because he couldn't throw it all the way to first base which is pretty typical at this age.  Some of the players on his team are actually old enough for coach pitch at 5 and 6 years old so there is a big age difference in the players, and Brody is really keeping up with them.  We just love watching these boys play ball!

Brody is a cute little ballplayer.  His team is the Little Scrappers because their sponsor is a carpet business.  They have little scrappy bulldogs on their hats.  It suits him.  At first I thought white pants for t-ball players was ridiculous but now I think it is pretty smart since I can throw them in the wash with bleach. 

Waiting to run.  These shots of his first game were taken with my phone.  Because of all the gear and kids I had to get to the field, I forgot the camera.  Since the games are on weeknights, I usually transport the kids by myself after picking Evan up from school since he doesn't get out until about 4:00.  We meet daddy and eat dinner close to the ball field.

Running to third. 

He is very proud of getting on base. 

And there is some playing in the dirt of course. 

And talking with his teammates.  And yes, he is #1!

No telling what tale he is telling here.  Something is "very big, very big, very big!"  Haha!

Cute little ball players whose feet don't touch the ground. 

Sitting with one of his girl teammates.  He has several girls on his team including two sisters. 

He's ready to bat. 

Baby Mattox loves cheering for his big brothers.  We have a tradition of having a newborn on the ball field since Brody came right at the start of Evan's first t-ball season.   It seemed like it would be such a long time before Brody would be the one playing ball.  

Practicing stopping some ground balls before his next game. 

Looking so big walking with Daddy to the dugout. 

Taking his position in the outfield. 

Big boy playing third base. 

A little break to play in the dirt. 

Taking his batting stance. 

Yes, he does over swing a little sometimes.  Haha!  

Running to first.  

I love the smile on his face when he is running.  

Very proud of himself. 

Running home.  Yes, he wears Evan's helmet. 

Daddy helps keep him focused on the field. 

Big hit!

Making it to first safely this time. 

I don't know what the hands on his helmet and the look on his face was for. 

A very sweet Daddy and son moment on the ball field.  Brody was very happy to get to third base where Daddy was waiting. 

Sweet boys. 

No, he doesn't slide into home, but he loves to jump onto it.  

Waiting on first. 

Big brother Evan is a very handsome ball player. 

I love him!  He definitely has the heart for all sports. 

Ready for the pitch. 

Wish I could get a better shot of his swing and hits.