Couldn't Ask For More: baseball

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Saturday, June 16, 2012

Perfect Words, Perfect Timing

This week was All-Star selection in our local little league. It's met with enthusiasm and anticipation as boys from ages 9-13ish await to find out if they've "made the cut." It's also a stressful time of anticipation for parents too. Do we prepare our kids for the excitement or the big letdown?

Sports, politics and the politics of kids' sports stir up a mixed bag of emotions. On one hand, I know in every league, if people are involved there will be amazing dedicated volunteers, kids striving for the best they can be and parents hoping their child will shine in America's Best-Loved sport. On the other hand, with people involved and human flaws, life happens and the outcomes are not always fair...but that's life. It's not fair. And that's okay.

Little League Day & Albert Pujols Hits His First Angels' Homer

Yesterday we celebrated Little League Day at Angels' Stadium and kicked off a fun-filled-action-packed family day. We met with our fellow Orange County Little Leaguers in the Angel Stadium parking lot on the morning of May 6th. There were thousands of anxious kids with coaches and team parents awaiting their turn to enter through the tunnels and step out onto Angel Field.

Spring Training Highlights Seattle Mariners (con't)

Okay, forgive me for making this a two-part post, but I was having photo posting issues. So this is a bit like Take 2: Mariners Spring Training vs. The Kansas City Royals March 14, 2012.

The cutie fans

This was an awesome almost save by Ichiro

Hi Ichi!

This is Danielle. She is Ichiro's biggest fan! Her mom (on left) said her room is covered with Ichiro posters. I took a number of photos of him to email to them.

Danielle

My cuties!

Thanks guys! Great game!

What a beautiful night in Peoria!

Spring Training Highlights Seattle Mariners

Living in southern California, hasn't changed how our littles feel about the Mariners. They are still a favorite team with the boys so we couldn't miss seeing them in action while in Arizona. And, they are great about signing autographs/balls for the kids. It's great when a team appreciates the fans.

The line-up against the Royals

Mike Wilson signing for the kids

Mike Wilson

Vinnie Catricala

The kids with Mike Wilson

Mike Wilson

Vinnie Catricala

Vinnie Catricala and to the left is one of "The Old Bats"

Mike Saunders and... leaning over-someone's agent

Mike Saunders and one of The Old Bats. The Old Bats know EVERYTHING about the Mariners!

Mike Saunders

Michael Saunders

The back of The Old Bats.

Story about the Old Bats...You can't miss their bright pink sign and white spiky hair. These quintessential Mariners fans sit along the first base line out toward right field. They are stocked with a line up of Tootsie pop suckers set out to entice the ambling players as they walk onto the field. Knowing who prefers the raspberry sucker over the chocolate or who hit a double recently appeals to the players. The players really seem to appreciate those who know the game and know the statistics. With game stubs in hand adorned with sticky notes of highlights of past games they call the players over, "Mr. Saunders, ..." and then they make small talk, ask performance questions, and ever-so-politely ask players to sign for the kids. Love it! These gals love their baseball! They keep score at every game and are willing to teach a baseball-know-nothing something.

We met these gals last year and when we hit the field in Peoria this year we kept our eyes out for The Old Bats. They were right where we left them last year. We were able to sit with them again and hopefully next year we'll find them in along the sidelines cheering on the team!