Spring Training

Jackson's 2nd year of Little League Tee Ball is underway!  He plays for the Orioles this year, a team of 6 year olds that all attend the same school as Jackson.  We are through our first practices, and the team is really gelling.  All the kids get along great and are ready for their first game on Tuesday!  Our coach is no nonsense and is teaching the kids what it means to be a ballplayer, including their first experience chewing sunflower seeds.

I wondered if the long winter layoff might dull the shine on Jackson's passion for baseball.  He had started saying a couple months back that he wanted to be a basketball player when he grew up, but sure enough, the first time we went out back to play catch, he picked up right where he left off, returning to his first love!

He watches every Mariner game up until bedtime (which is saying something, given how dreadful they have been to start the season).  He counts the days down until his next practice.  And he will stay out back with me as long as I let him, playing catch and practicing fielding.  He has a rocket arm and unbelievable hands.  And he really does look like a big league shortstop when fielding grounders (at least to the trained eye of a proud dad:)    Right now he is particularly into catching pop flies!

Opening Day Ceremonies

Learning the fine art of chewing sunflower seeds after a good practice!