Thomas the baseball player: 2012 edition

After Thomas finished out the soccer season last fall, he told me he didn’t want to participate in any more sports (except for swimming lessons!) for awhile.  But when spring rolled around and his friends were all signing up for baseball (and Parker signed up for t-ball), I felt like he was really going to regret not playing.  I talked with some friends and one of his best boy friends was going to play and his mother highly recommended the coach they were signing up to have (who they had had the previous year).  She assured me that he was patient and encouraging, but also would teach the kids about baseball.  Thomas had to play coach-pitch and I wasn’t sure if he was ready (he played t-ball last year, but at age 5-6 they are supposed to play coach-pitch), but I felt like he needed to try.

When he found out his buddy Thomas would be on his team, he was game to give it a try.  I am really glad we did.

In the first weeks I was a little worried.  He couldn’t hit.  He couldn’t catch.  He could throw a little bit.  Other children could do some or all of these things…some quite well.  I was a little worried.  When the games rolled around (not just practice), I held my breath when he went up to bat.  Sometimes on the 10th pitch he struck out.  Sometimes he’d get a hit…on the 10th and final pitch. 

Slowly, but surely, he got better!  I was so proud of him.  Most games he would strike out one of his three at bats, but he had a great attitude about it.  The first time I went up to him and told him it was okay and he said, “It’s no problem, Mom.  I am having fun and that’s what matters.”  Love that little kid.  He never seemed to mind even if he was the only player who consistently struggled at batting.

And while his catching still needs some work, he did get better at that too.  Most of the time he was in the outfield, but every once in awhile he manned the infield.

His favorite place to play was with the pitcher.

Then last weekend was his second to the last game.  He did AWESOME!  On his first at-bat he was set to bat last for his team.  I was worried because if he struck out, everyone would be well aware of it because then the kids on the bases would be stranded.  If he got a hit though, it would be a home run.  On his second or third swing he hit a foul ball that flew high in the air and didn’t land until it was WELL beyond the third baseline (but well foul).  The coaches were so happy for him (even though it was foul).  Then he swung a time or two more and got a hit.

The second time he came up to bat, he hit on the first swing!

And the third time, he got a great hit on the second swing.  I could post the video, but I’ll spare you.  :)

Today was his last game.  It took him a little time to get warmed up (he struck out the first at bat), but then he did well.  He got great hits on his other two at-bats.  And then he got a trophy.

Oh, and some blue gatorade.  :)

I am so very proud of Thomas for his improvement.  Both of the coaches agreed that Thomas was by far the most improved over the course of the season and they were so proud of him for his effort and hard work.  I concur.

He had the best attitude (for the most part), and even though sometimes he could have run a little faster or tried a little harder, all in all, he did great and I’m proud of him for going through with the season and for never getting upset when he wasn’t the best player on the team.

I asked him when we got home if he wanted to play baseball again next season.  Without much thought he surprisingly answered quickly, “No.  I don’t want to play anything for awhile.  Except swim lessons.”  Oh well.