T Ball Season Game 1

It was a beautiful blue sky and puffy white cloud evening on our edge of the prairie and the Hiawatha Valley. The local t-ball fields were hopping. Dozens of mini-vans and increasing unpopular SUV's were parked along side the soccer/t-ball fields as we arrived at 6:45 for practices before the 7:30 games.

The dog and I spend time in solitude running in this park on the edge of town almost every morning; but tonight the place was chalk full of 4 to 6 year old kids in there color coordinated team t-shirts and oversized batting helmets. There were a lot of spectators too; parents, a few grandparents, and siblings who just came along for the ride seemed to enjoy their chance to cheer.

There are 8 t-ball teams currently fielded in town. Our kids are on an as yet un-named team dressed in dark blue t-shirts. They're coached by three outstanding women who all know much more about playing ball than I can ever hope to learn. Even ushering at the Metrodome for 4 Twins seasons didn't prepare me to teach my kids how to play. My daughter said simply, "Dad you're supposed to be good at this, as I muffed a ball with a borrowed glove during practice.

The rules of t-ball are simple for a 4 or 5 year old, if your up to bat, just hit the ball, not the parent who bravely puts it on the tee, and then run to a base. If the next person in line gets a hit then run to second.

If your out in the field the game is a little more challenging. It's tough for these kids not to be distracted by the birds, clouds, weeds, mud, water, and other kids out at play. A favorite moment was watching our minute older daughter who was playing first base give a big hug to a boy who had just reached base from the other team.

pax,
Unlikely