how to handle being on the spot
how to handle a pressure situation
how to think on your feet
how to compile all your coaches have told you into automatic actions
how to overcome a loss
how to not let one disappointment get in the way of enjoying the game
i never really thought of baseball this way until this season. i thought of it as long hours at the ballpark when it is cold, when it is hot, when the sun is in your eyes, when you can't make the games because of scheduling issues, when your watching him pitch and you are so nervous for him that you feel a little sick to your stomach.
anyway...
i learned my own lesson about baseball this season. it is a stage. a practice stage for rehearsing so many things that will happen in life. and i am so happy that grant has had this stage to go through some really great and some really hard moments.
this was the last tournament of the season. this game decided whether or not they would advance to the championship game. they were up, they were down, they pulled within one. last inning-2 outs. grant is up. i don't remember the first strike. i remember snapping at the girls because they kept asking when we could leave and trying to make sure ben didn't wander off as my heart was beating in my ears. the second pitch he hit a beautiful ball that went foul. coaches shouted at him that 'he needed to protect now, he had 2 strikes'
3rd pitch-he didn't swing. umpire called strike and the game was over.
tears and tears and more tears from my strong and capable boy.
i was heartbroken for him. he came over to me and kind of leaned into me-not a real hug because that wouldn't have been very cool.
i told him it was alright. it was a game. it is going to be ok.
this is hard. watching him not be able to fight back his tears as the team huddles around for their end of game talk.
i heard several kids tell him 'it's ok grant'
coaches made a big point of talking up all his previous plays. how well he had pitched the game before. how he started the rally with his hit the innings before.
bobby is awesome and really always knows what to say in times that this-keep it cool. no pressure-just unending support and encouragement.
grant bounced after the game. he says he wants to play again next season. he is not letting this situation effect his wanting to get back into baseball. he is not giving up at one disappointment.
i am very proud of him.
thank you baseball.
soccer has started for the girls-
one of ben's favorite things is to point out all the people and objects in the pictures in the hallway. the truck is always first, but then the fish and then papa and then emily, anneliese and grant...
he also likes to attempt to use the cats as a stepping stool to see those pictures that are too high. he puts his foot on a tummy and looks at me and smiles his little smile :)
books continue to be a favorite-especially tractor books when nana is reading :)
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