Footwork

SS - Throw to 1st Not exactly a pirouette, but I don't think the lad will be disappointed if he doesn't make the dance team. Thought for the Day: Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect.Vince Lombardi

Slo-Pitch

Hot Potatoe Hats off to the inventor of Slo-Pitch softball. The game can be played by all skill levels at any age, a 7-inning game is completed in an hour, injuries are few and most leagues are just for fun. No uniforms required. Thought for the Day: Baseball is ninety percent mental and the other …

Darn It!

Ooops This will be a summer to remember; COVID-19 has turned everything upside down. Things we took for granted have been closed, cancelled or removed -- even little league baseball. Parks are closed, social distancing prevents players from practicing, and games aren't scheduled to start until June 18th. Even if games are played a whole …

Birthday Boy

11 years old There are two things that this handsome lad absolutely loves: playing baseball and following the Huskers. Playing baseball at the highest level for his age group, he maintains a great attitude for the game. Win or lose, he gives his best effort and leaves the field with a smile on his face …

America’s Pastime

Baseball has long been called "America's pastime"; it's been popular since the mid- 1800's. In this day and age of instant gratification, it is hard to understand the sustained popularity of a sport with so much down time between mere seconds of frenzied action. The baseball season is over for this nine year old who …

What Was I Thinking?!

Baseball season is in full swing.  High school season is over except for the state tournament. A line drive into short center field caused a collision at home plate.  With a runner on second base and the score tied late in the game, the third base coach sent the runner home.  He was out by …

Coaching

Another season of Little League baseball is wrapping up with state tournaments this week. The parents must be relieved after four months of multiple game/practice commitments each week.  The eight year-olds in this photo played 35 games during the regular season. Fortunately, my grandson had a coach that kept everything in perspective.  Not only is …

Jr. Prom

Prom night.  My oldest grandson went to his high school prom this weekend.  That makes two high school proms in the same season -- a personal best.  (Click here for the first one.) He is so involved with school, baseball and working, not to mention eating and sleeping, that I didn't think I'd see another …

Down and Dirty

Baseball was made for little boys.  Everything about the game is filthy, and little boys would rather roll in the dirt than take a bath.  The baselines are dirt, the dugouts are dirt, and the entire infield at little league fields is 100% dirt. The batter picks up a handful of dirt and pours it from …

Memorial Day – The Big Team

Baseball may not be as popular today as it was in the 1950's when it was called America's Past Time, but it still draws a lot of little people.  I have four grandsons playing baseball this year, ages 3-15.  Yeah, 3!  Can you believe that?  In Ankeny, Iowa 3-4 year olds start out with "Blast …

Baseball

Baseball already?  Yup, high school baseball starts this week. Just as the college basketball tournaments are ending and March Madness is starting to heat up, I went to a high school baseball game (inter-squad scrimmage) last weekend.  Hey, I'm not ready for baseball!  I want to enjoy college basketball; I don't even have my brackets …

T-ball

Nothing says "school is out" than a five-year old T-ball game.  Summer is time for the brain to idle for a few months while the body enjoys physical pursuits.  Who needs mental stimulus during summer vacation when you're learning the most complicated game on the planet.   The young lads are still learning their left hand from their right …

Do Your Best!

The Little League season is winding down; I have mixed feelings about that.  The number of games these little guys plays is extraordinary, no wonder they (me too) get burned out.  The hellish-hot days of July are right around the corner--yeh, I know, baseball is a summer sport, but there are limitations to my interest. …

Baseball Managers

At four and five years old, players are already analyzing their play on the field.  The tall player in the red hat says, "Why'd ya swing at that ugly pitch?"  "Because", the player in the too-big hat explains, "the hit-and-run sign was on.  I had to hit the ball or the runner would be caught …

Good and Bad

My mother always said, "Take the good with the bad."  That thought came to mind while I watched the first baseball practice of my 4 year old grandson ... there's a lot of good and bad in Little League.  Stretching?  Yeah, that was definitely not a priority for the four year old future stars. Learning …

Baseball Collage

Now I know what writer's cramp is all about.  I'm sitting here, late Sunday night, surrounded by thousands of pictures I've taken, and can't think of a thing to write about. My self-imposed blog deadline is Monday morning at 8:00 AM and I don't have anything blog-worthy.  I see another all-nighter coming.For a place-holder, just …

Digital Sketch Contest

I've been experimenting with pencil and charcoal sketches using various applications that digitally alter the original photograph.  All of the applications I tried have some things I like and some things I don't like in the "usability" of the software, but I generally like the end result.  See the other choices below: Like I said, …

Early Retirement

After a full summer of baseball, its time to hang up the glove.  Maybe this little guy can find a better-fitting hat next year. Thought for the Day:  I take a one hour nap, from one o'clock to four.   Yogi Berra

Happy Feet!

I was lucky to get this little guy with both feet off the ground, jumping so high that his shadow is separated from his body.   I think his coach told him that school starts this week. Thought for the Day:  The rule is perfect: in all matters of opinion our adversaries are insane.   Mark Twain

Fading Away

Summer is starting to fade away; organized baseball is over and for the most part, the brightly colored gloves are collecting dust in the closet.  Thankfully, colored gloves (even pink, for cryin' out loud!) are made only in the smallest sizes, where participation and fundamentals take priority over keeping score.  I suppose colored gloves make some …