In preparation for his first game, we took Casey shopping for a baseball glove. Step one was to determine the proper size glove for him. This was kinda difficult, because he didn’t know how to spread his fingers to fit the glove on his hand. We finally got the fingers spread, and the proper size glove determined.
Come game day, we pick up Casey’s first baseball ‘uniform’. This consisted of the league provided hat and t-shirt. For the first game, this was his ‘uniform’.. (and I use that term loosely)… because… I didn’t realize each player (read: parents) are responsible for providing baseball pants, cleats and batting helmet.
Gametime: I generally live life without regret. However, I just may regret one thing for the rest of my life. That one regret will be that I didn’t video record this first t-ball game… Because….
While on defense, the coaches placed each kid at a different position. Ie: first baseman, second baseman, etc. When the other team would hit the ball, some kids would not react… AT ALL. They never looked in the general direction of the ball, never changed facial expression, pretty much had no clue a ball was hit. Meanwhile, one or two kids, no matter where positioned, would bee-line for the ball… wherever it was hit. So, picture a groundball hit between the 1st baseman and 2nd baseman. And the 3rd baseman runs clear across the infield to fetch the ball. Meanwhile, the 1st and 2nd basemen don’t react… at all!
While batting, kids would hit the ball off the tee. (This act came surprisingly natural to them). This is when the fun started. Some kids would just stand in the batters box. Not like a pompous major leaguer admiring a homerun, but rather just stand there chillin’ while the entire crowd and both coaching staffs yelled for the batter to RUN. At the point, batters would usually run… To who knows where. Casey chased after the ball he just hit! Some ran towards third base, and some ran toward the pitchers mound. Who knows, maybe they watch too much MLB and see batters charging the pitchers mound in retaliation of a bean ball.
Fully equipped: After the first game, we took Casey on a shopping spree. We bought him a batting helmet, baseball pants and cleats. And we practiced hitting and subsequently running to the correct base. And we practiced utilizing that ‘thing’ on his hand… The glove… and the concept of chasing a batted ball and fielding said ball in the glove.
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