Spring soccer for Andrew

This is the first spring since he was five that Andrew didn't play baseball.  He really loves baseball, but the fear of getting hit with the ball was hard for him to overcome.  He decided to try soccer again.  We weren't sure that he would really like it since it is a lot of running.  He has definitely proved us wrong, and has really enjoyed playing.  He hustles around the field and is getting better at being aggressive with the ball.  The halves are 25 minutes and his team isn't very large so they often only have one sub.  He has played the last two games the whole way through.  He has mostly played mid-field and defender.

During the game, it is hard to keep Grant occupied and off the field.  Phones and snacks do the tricks for a while.  Last week, he ate the snacks before the game even started during the warm up.  Needless to say it was a long game.

He may end up liking it so much that he will play it again in the fall.  The nice thing for me about soccer it that it is much less practice and game time than baseball.

Claire's first softball season

Claire decided to try softball for the first time this spring.  Her team is the Red Diamonds and so far she really likes it.  They practiced twice a week before they had their first game last Saturday. She got a glove and shoes with pink accents on them.  

She has jersey #1, so she was the first batter in the first game.  Here she is warming up.  Danny is helping coach, but isn't the head coach - maybe next season.

At the first game they all hit off of the tee.  But at the second game Danny did coach pitch to the girls.  Claire got a hit both times. 

Danny is coaching her at first base.

The positions in the field still need some work.  It is still hard for some of the girls to throw it as far as first base, much less catch the ball.  The innings are fairly long since each team as 12-14 girls.  It was also quite warm for this 11:00 am game on a Saturday in March.

The girls all got to decorate their own diamond on the banner.  There is a league competition for the best banner and the team mom thought they might have a better chance of winning if the girls actually helped.

This was her second hit of the game.  She was the last batter, so she got to run around the bases back to home plate.

A view of the game from the outfield.

After the game cheer and high fives.

So far she really likes softball and never complains about practice.  They even practice in the front and back yards.  She is also going to do swim team this summer, which will overlap a bit with softball, so she will be busy.