Play Ball!

With nearly a week going by without any games thanks to intense rain it was nice to head to the ballpark on Friday night to watch some baseball. The boys were ready, especially since they had to miss their games last Saturday since we were in Louisville for the Derby. Matt and Josh warmed up in the backyard.Friday night I was flying solo with the kids, so I made Trey sit by me in the bleachers, something he never does! It was nice to have his watch Josh and Matt play. He talked about his new obsession the entire game: Command and Conquer a computer game he played at Sammy's house. That boy is like his mother, we both share a one track mind at times. The girls were up and down and I think they ate more popcorn off the ground than from out of their baggie (so gross!) but it was nice to be outside. The Braves lost 17-20, but both boys hit like pros, Josh did great on first base and Matt got a runner out at third. But my proudest moment was when Josh's hit went to the short stop causing Matt who was running from first base to get out. He simply saw he was out and ran off the field to the dug out. No pouting , stomping, no throwing his batting helmet (all which have been done before last season) or tears. I was very proud indeed.
Saturday 9:30 AM brought some much needed sunshine. Trey's previous TWO games had been rained out. They faced off against the White Soxs.
Trey was ready on third base. He got on base on every hit and scored as well. This one was a nail biter! I was ready to pack up and head out when they got 1, 2, 3 outs in a row with only 4 pitches thrown in the top of the 4th. After 4 innings we were down 7-11. Our future seemed a bit bleak. Somehow the bottom of our line up came through and with one out we managed to score 5 runs before they ended the inning. The bottom of the 5th- the last inning- and we just had to hold them. Soon the White Soxs scored and tied it up 12-12 and had their winning runner on third base with only one out. I was picking up the shoes and blankets around us because I thought it was all over. They were in the bottom of their line up and the next batter went down swinging. Painful for all watching. Two outs, still 12-12. The next batter just needs a base hit and the game would end. But no, he is thrown out at first. The Orioles lived to see another at bat. We cruised through the last of our line up and quickly scored 4 runs. 16-12 for the Orioles. Now we just had to hold them to 3 runs or less and I certainly didn't want to go any more extra innings. This was already pushing an extra half hour and we were the first game of the day! Bottom of the sixth and the Soxs scored again and again and again. Now we are looking at 15-16 for us, but we only had one out! They had runners on first and second. The next batter got up to the plate and hit a hard straight shot to our second baseman who CAUGHT THE BALL! He then ran to first base getting the runner out who had ran toward second. DOUBLE PLAY- GAME OVER! Whew, we just squeaked by. The poor White Soxs short stop was in tears because he was wise enough to know they had us not once, but twice and it got away. Poor kid. Sports are full of highs and lows all in the same game!
Josh and Matt's Saturday afternoon game vs the Nationals.Matt was back to his usual position as pitcher. Matt was aggressive and charged the ball. Here he is throwing the ball to Josh who got the batter out.Our short stop Titus had a great game and threw many runners out at first. Josh didn't miss a thing. He played the best offensive game of his life. Way to go Josh!Matt was always ready!Josh watches the ball.OUT! Rich was the assigned announcer for the game and laughed when the opposing team commented on the first baseman's size and skills. I think that alone made Rich's day.Victory was finally ours making the Braves 6-4 for the year.And Josh FINALLY got a game ball. Boy did he deserve this one. Way to play boys! More games tonight. The fun never ends!