Batter Up!

Opening day for the Jacksonville Baseball and Softball Association was this past Saturday.  

Our Little Texas Ranger in the 3-4 T-ball League and our not-so-little-anymore Fightin' Irishman in the 7-8 Machine Pitch League

Mike and our friend Anthony are coaching the Rangers.  As much as you can coach 3 and 4 year olds.  It is more like keeping them from playing in the dirt and crying for their moms. :)

Tate and his baseball BFF, Knox (Anthony's son) practiced some fielding before the game.

I have no photos from the actual game because I was in charge of all the little munchkins in the dugout.  After an hour of consoling crying kids, getting their batting helmets on and off, and taking them for potty breaks, I needed a star in my crown as one mom said.  Or a drink.  Or both. 

We don't keep score in 3-4 t-ball, but I think the Rangers got the "win" :)  Tate was tired and the game was during nap, but he managed a couple of base hits and a couple of outs at first. 

Cole's first game was tonight (Monday) against the Reds.  Here is our #42 - the starting catcher for the Figtin' Irish!!  

Cole did not play last year, and so this is a new team with new coaches and no friends that he knew before this season.  Cole-man has already made friends, asked Coach to try out for catcher, made it, started, and played all 6 innings!!

He did GREAT! We were really proud of him, his coaches, and the entire team.  We did not know anyone before, but the parents, coaches, and kids are wonderful. They are all supportive, not overly competitive (i.e. mean like I've seen others be), and encourage all the kids.

Cole struck out his first time at bat, but got the hang of it in the later innings and hit a couple of doubles and a triple.  He scored 3 runs!

Look at Tate's little head behind the home plate fence watching his Bubba hit a short grounder.  So sweet.  Although, most of the time he was playing in the red mud.  I am thinking I'll be buying stock in Clorox bleach after this season.

I did not think I would be a baseball mom, but I think these two cuties just made me change my mind. Go Rangers! Go Irish! Go Stansberry boys! Go Baseball Moms! ;)