Swing batter, batter, batter....

This summer was Owen's first time playing T-ball.  He played the game quite a bit at home and loved it, so he was eager for practice to begin.  His team was called the Shoreview Rangers.  There were 13 kids on his team although the numbers dwindled down by the end of the season.  The kids had T-ball twice a week at various parks in the area with games lasting about 1 hour.

The season started out with several practices to teach the kids the fundamentals of the game - batting (Owen's favorite!), catching, throwing and running.  Owen enjoyed the practices and did a fantastic job listening to his coaches.

Owen ready for his first practice

Cole running on the field

Owen in the field

Owen listening to his coach

Owen up to bat

There goes the ball!

Cole enjoying some fruit snacks while watching the practice

Owen rolling the ball to his teammate

Soon the kids were ready for their first game.  The game was a bit overwhelming for Owen with twice as many kids on the field and parents on the sidelines that things took a turn for the worse.  He did not want to play T-ball anymore.  It seemed unlikely that he was going to play at all, but eventually bribery got him out on the field.  The offer of a new train from the toy store works like a charm!  (Although at the next game, he thought he should get another train just for playing, so we quickly had to squash those expectations.)

Owen was not excited to play his first real game of T-ball and was even more upset that Mom was taking pictures of him.  It wasn't long before he was hiding behind his glove!

Owen not happy at his first t-ball game

"Stop taking pictures of me!"

"No more photos, Mom!"

After a shaky start to his first game, things got a little better when it was his turn to bat.

Waiting for his turn to bat

Getting ready to bat

Owen focused on the ball

Run Owen!

Owen on first base

In Owen's T-ball league, all the kids get to bat and run the bases with the last kid up to bat hitting a "home run".  Even if the other team actually gets someone out (which rarely happens), the child gets to keep playing.  It's a great way for the kids to get some practice since most of them are running around the field pretty confused.

Owen seemed to enjoy batting and running to the bases, but playing in the field was (as he would say and I would agree with!) boring.  He'd play in the sand like it was a huge sandbox, building up piles and kicking up dust (he is 4 years old after all!)  One coach got rather frustrated with Owen's lack of attention in the field.  But the other coach had a great idea...Owen should be catcher.  What a fantastic idea!  Owen loved being the catcher, watching the ball roll in, running to grab it and setting it on the T.

By the end of the season, Owen was really getting the hang of it.  He was hitting like a pro and was even paying attention in the field.   At one of the last couple games, he fielded four balls!  He was so proud when he'd catch the ball, he'd flash us a big grin and thumbs up. 

Owen waiting for his turn to bat (and playing in the sand!)

Owen up to bat

Running to first base

Getting ready to catch the ball

Oh!  So close!

Running for the ball

Although it was a rocky start in the beginning, it ended up being a great T-ball season.  GO Rangers!