Little League Days

I got an unexpected blessing today. I gave up a JUCO doubleheader to umpire the opening season Little League tournament sponsored annually by the Breakfast Optimist Club here in Rocky Mount. I coached a team in this tournament 10 years ago.

What I enjoyed the most, was the coaches of the teams today were coaching when my son came thru 10 years ago. They are really great men for volunteering long long after their sons left the league

The blessing was watching the innocence of 11 & 12 year olds playing the great game of baseball. It seems that every young boy trys to play the game regardless of his talent or lack of. There were all kinds of kids playing today and they were all trying their best. What fun they were having too.

What a special day and it brought back a ton of memories of when my son played in litte league. Do you guys still love little league?

Bonus: SoutherNo1 stopped by and watched a few innings.

 

I'm actually involved for the first time since wool jerseys. You have to adjust your mindset because it has changed dramatically. Not the game, obviously, but the number of quality players..

In one sense, it is very sad for me, but the kid's attitudes are great, and for now that is one of the priorities

 

Love it. Greenville is well known for it's LL program....Elm Street Park in Greenville has one of the finest playing surfaces in NC....regardless if it's LL, HS OR college. If you are ever in Greenville, you need to slide by and see it...and walk it...it's gorgeous. It's becoming a little Camden yards. Those kids have no idea how good they have it. Watching a game from up on the hill is such a great vantage point. Plus, plenty of baseball spoken up there. The lay out and atmosphere on a balmy summer night under the lights is pure family magical baseball. If that doesn't make your tension and stress wash away, nothing will.

Oh yeah.... grab a large grape drink served over that pellet ice...it's soooo refreshing...

 

Love the old days

Before the time of showcase, before the days of USSSA, AAU and other type of travel ball. The local fields would be full of kids playing the game. Dreaming of the day they would be the new Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Chipper Jones and Randy Johnson. All for a few dollars. Parents filled the stands cheering all the players. Coaches helping those who needed that lttle extra. The kids waiting to play next eating a hot dog. Or playing a quick game of wall ball with the other players of the team they would be playing. We are seeing the LL fields being turned into new housing developments, parking lots or abandoned. Kids that are unable to be choosen or afford to play the weekend touneys in other cities. Not the kids that fit the mold of the perfect player.The ones that are a little small, chubby, a little less mental and other physical things. Next time you see a game going on. Stop and pick up a game or an inning or two. See the game for what it is. Not that kid should not be playing because he or she does not have the talent. Eat a hot dog and some fries. The players that you see out there may be the next HS player, college D I, II, III or even MLB. Think I check one out! Best thing no charge to get in.

 

It was a big day at the complex. Forgot how many teams and kids were involved in this thing. For Stretchy it wasn't necessarily the games he wanted to watch, it may have had something to do with lots of young moms.

 

Careful Q ,remember you can get into a lot of trouble describing moms on tbr. btw the weather is not the only thing that gets hotter in the summer at the ballfield, so expect to see stretchy at more "viewings".

 

old school...

pretty much always reigns at this level it is the epitome of what the game is and should be all about...

 

Those were the days

There is nothing like the innocence and enthusiasm of Little League. The boys are just glad to be on a ball field, somewhere, anywhere, and for the most part, at least in our neck of the woods, the coaches are just trying to give back to the community and the youth. Oh sure, there's a competitive spirit, but it doesn't go beyond the game you're playing today, this minute, and when you leave the field, you're all buddies again. If you're playing little league for the first time, enjoy these days! It doesn't get any better than this! Love every second of it, revel in every minute, good, bad or otherwise. Use it to help your son (or daughter for that matter) learn life lessons about being a good loser, a gracious winner, and a great teammate. More than winning or losing, being selected for awards that will fade away, or anything else, these life lessons you teach them will help them become the young adults you hope they can be. I know mine came out of Little League with a love of the sport, but more importantly, he grew up a lot and learned how to respect teammates and opponents of every ability level. I still love to go see friends sons' play because we can never go back to those sweet, sweet days again. It's such a great time in the life of our children!

 

Pizza after the game is what they really play for

This really says it all. Great post Mom.

 

Sunday Special

Ask him about the "sighting" today at the Pitt Community College doubleheader against Florence-Darlington!!! We are still not sure who won the games.