Tball

This year, we signed up Eliza and Zabien to play T-ball.  This was the first time for either one of them to play any organized sport.  Zabien was the most excited - he had been wanting to play for a long time.  He was dressed and ready to go within minutes.  

After telling me more than once that she wanted to play, I signed her up.  She seemed excited at first, but as it got closer and closer to the start date, she started to change her mind.  As she always is when something is new, Eliza was difficult and didn't want to get ready to go.  She fought me every step of the way from getting her clothes on, to putting on her shoes to getting in the van.  She wanted to quit before she even got started.  I told her that she could quit, but she had to pay me back all the money I spent to register her.  She had recently competed in a talent show and earned some prize money, and I threatened to take it if she didn't cooperate.  Even after I forced her into the van, she continued to drag her feet.  

When we got to the fields, I literally had to drag her where her team was.  I forced the team shirt on her, and I compromised to not make her wear the team hat.  

After meeting up with their team, they headed to the field for some practice, and to learn basic skills.  They did everything from throwing, catching, hitting, running the bases, catching pop flys.  Zabien's favorite part is throwing, and Eliza's favorite part is running the bases.  

By the time the hour long practice was over, Eliza was sad to go home - she wanted it to keep going and was appalled that she had to wait another week to come back.  On our way back to the van she told me that she had a really good time and thought the whole thing was a lot better than she thought it would be.  It just goes to show that you shouldn't formulate opinions about something unless you are sure to try it first.  

She finally let me take a picture of her in her team shirt.  

The next week both Eliza and Zabien quickly got ready to go.  The second week, they practice for the first half hour, and played a game against another team the second half hour.  

The coaches who work with these kids have a lot of patience as they try to teach them the rules and how to play the game.

Eliza got pretty good at the defense position "down and ready."  

Zabien just stood in the field with a smile on his face.  He wasn't as aggressive at getting the ball as I thought he might be, but he was having a good time anyway.

Zabien did a very good job of hitting the ball - we had to teach him the point of running the bases though.  He wanted to go get the ball himself after he hit it (because that is what he does at home).

I was pretty proud of both of them for standing up and participating in the game.  So many of their teammates sat down in the field.  One of the girls kept putting her mitt over her face, and another one kept running off the field to her mom on the sidelines.

I cheered for my children every time they came up to bat and every time they tried to make a play in the field.  Other parents just watched the game.  I guess I am one of those annoying moms that goes crazy over every thing my children do.  What can I say?  I'm a proud momma!

I could tell that their skills improved after the 6 weeks of playing.  The best part was seeing how much fun both of them were having.  

Hazel was a good cheerleader too.

The most important thing is that they each had fun. I hope they also learned how to listen to their coaches and get along with their teammates.

      And they were both very proud of their medals - it made Zabien feel like a super hero.