Games on the Sidelines

I love baseball season. Running into friends and neighbors and basking in the golden hour light on warm spring days. Watching my boys slowly improve their swings and make some plays in the field.

I also love what happens on the sidelines. Settling in on beach chairs and timing the other boys while they run across the field. Practicing batting and catching with them. Cheering on our players.

I especially love it when siblings of other players entertain them. Our cute friend Sadie gravitated towards Finn and brought games to keep him busy. Sometimes Crew was lucky enough to join in before or after his games.

We are lucky enough to run into Sadie at church and school and she lights up and greets Finn each time thanks to the special bond they formed during baseball season.

The Braves

Nash officially retired from baseball this year so I was really happy when Crew wanted to play Tball. I'm a sucker for Little League. There's just something about those practices and games on warm spring nights that make it feel like the whole town is coming together. 

Crew played for the Braves. He spent a lot of time picking grass in the outfield but he also learned some fundamentals and possibly had some fun along the way. 

I'm always so grateful for the village of parents and coaches that sacrifice their time and patience to work with rambunctious five year olds.

Our friend Lincoln was in town one weekend and snapped some shots of Crew.

We survived the first season of Tball in conjunction with two older brothers involved in activities. I can only imagine how crazy it'll be when we add in practices for another child.

Crew was ready to throw off his glove and wrap up the season.

Root Root Root for the Red Sox

Can you guess which team we're rooting for?

We love it when the Red Sox come to town! It isn't Fenway Park, but Angel Stadium will do to watch our favorite baseball team.

Tiniest Baseball Fan

The most willing baseball player during Nash's season was easily his littlest brother. Finn got lots of practice hitting balls during Nash's games. He was so energetic and persistent about getting some hits in that his batting practice deserved its own post. 

Little League Love

Tomorrow is opening day for Little League and as I sat outside watching Crew's t-ball practice last night, I was reminded how much I love baseball season. 

There's just something about being a part of Little League in a small town. 

We run into friends and neighbors on the fields. 

Games fill up our Saturdays, but I love having a reason to pack up our chairs, umbrella and baseball gear.

We are so grateful for the parents who volunteer as coaches and how much they teach our sons and how patient they are with them. 

Most practices are held while the sun is setting and I'm a sucker for golden light. 

And there's no better place to be than outside on the playing field on warm spring days in California. 

As I watched Crew learn the fundamentals of baseball, I was taken back to last spring when we cheered on Nash. That's about where I left off in my delayed documentation so since I'm back in baseball mode, I'm going to rewind to last spring.

Nash returned to the field with the same coach and most of the same teammates he had from the previous year.

He had a cheering section at each of his 17(!) games. 

Sometimes the cheering section got a little distracted from the game.

About halfway through the season, Nash's rookie team switched from coach pitch to machine pitch. Nash really liked the consistency of the speed and height of the balls from the machine. 

He played a few rotations as catcher.

He may have enjoyed his time in the dugout with his buddies more than being on the field. The boys cheered on each batter at each and every game.

The beloved trophy and team party at the indoor trampoline arena almost swayed Nash to play another season.

But in the end, Nash decided to retire from baseball. 

I'm a little sad that it's the end of the road for Nash while he searches for something he's more passionate about, but I'm especially happy that it's the beginning of Crew's journey and we won't miss out on Little League this spring. Bring on baseball season!