Mar. 12, 2006 - Spring season has begun
Baseball Corner

Little League baseball is upon us again so life will revolve around Prince T for a bit.  This is OK, because we all seem to have our seasons in this house were the world revolves around a particular person for a while.  I like it that way as it gives each child a chance to be in the spotlight by themselves.  Naturally with toddlers they demand a lot of the spotlight rather you want to give it to them or not- especially when one is a special needs child.  Then for the last several months we have been focusing only on Carson's horse riding.  Now it is Prince T's turn to shine. 

      Baseball comes with the joy of winning and the agony of defeat.  Playing in a pre-season tournament this weekend we were able to experience both.  It is amazing how at even 10 kids can psych themselves out when they face a certain team.  It happened to Tyler's team during the second game of the tournament.  They faced a team that has played together longer, played at a higher level of competition longer and have outstanding coaches. 

     Prince T's coaches have always been nice, but I think that they only have a certain level of understanding of the game.  They are reaching a competitive age now where skills are being refined, boys are picking more perminant positions to play instead of hopping all over the field and a higher level of defensive play becomes critical to winning games.  Teams that have these things- or are coached in these areas are the teams that finish in the top four in tournaments.  Teams that have a certain amount of natural skill finish 5th -8th.  This is where we finished. 

     There is so much raw talent on Prince T's team it is amazing, but unless new coaching tactics are brought into the field this talent will remain in its raw and wild state.  It would be a shame if all that talent was wasted because the kids get discouraged because they just can't finish out in that top 4 elite.  What is amazing is that the parents don't even have to say anything about it.  The kids just know.  They all understand the game well enough at this point to understand that if they don't make it to the final four then they are lacking in an area.  Sadly here I think it is the coaching area that is lacking. 

     Prince T I think understands this and is working on side goal for baseball.  He will keep his commitment to his team for the season (ending in June) and he will continue to work hard to improve himself.  He will work with Dad on practice days to fine tune his pitching and batting.  His goal is to tryout in the fall  (and hopefully make) the

Dallas Angels Homeschool Athletic Association Middle School Team 2007 spring team.  He knows this will bring competition to a whole new level of play.  He understands that he will have to work very hard to make this team as he would be one of the younger players.  He also knows that if he doesn't make the team the first year that is OK.  He said trying out will be good experience and it will be easier the next time.   His attitude this season has so impressed Dad and I.  We are very excited about sharing in his goals, but we understand that if his goal changes next week, month or year then that is fine too. 

   In the meantime... PLAY BALL!!!!

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