Championship Game at Little League
What a game on Saturday night! My 10 year old is in Cubs of the Keystone Baseball League, PA. This is only his second season (he skipped last year) and he is fortunate to be on good team & has good coaches.
They have wonderful teamwork & display good sportsmanship. All the kids on the team seemed to know the baseball rules well and usually throw to the right bases to stop the play. We think that is one of the reasons they have been not lost a single game the whole season – and I might add – they deserve to be at the championship.
The night before the game, the coach gathered everyone at the baseball park – a different one (has the real dugout) from the regular ball parks they are always playing in. Then the coach announced that there is no practice. he wants them to “check out” the field and gave a little pep talk. He told the team that he doesn’t care whether they win or lose tomorrow. Most important thing is to have fun. They have worked hard all season long to get there, so no pressure now. Just have fun and from past experiences, he found that the team that have the most fun wins. Told you I love this coach.
Coincidentally, my 5 year old princess was having her first ballet recital and my husband was scheduled to go for his soccer coach training course on the same day as the baseball championship. Luckily we can reschedule my husband’s training so he went to the game while I attended the recital.
My daughter’s recital was almost at the end of the program line-up so I made my husband text me the results at the end of every inning. At my son’s level, they only play 6 innings.
It was 0-0 after 2 innings and by then they were up 3-0 at the 3rd. By the time my daughter and I reached the baseball park, the other team scored 2 runs and it is now 3-2. Very exciting. So, we’re going into the 5th innings & my son’s team is up. Th team is hitting and loading the bases. Unfortunately, my son got struck out. He is the only out. They managed to score 5 runs after that & they called the game because they have to stop the game after 5 runs (Little League rules) & since the there is no way the other tam can catch up, we win (at the 5th inning) !
As a parent, words cannot express how happy I am to see him win a championship. As their banner says : “dreams do come true”. He have been dreaming of going into the championship since the season started. Although he hits well in practice and at the batting cages, he only got one or 2 hits the whole season. He always got walked or struck out. However, he is a good catcher & knows the play very well. In fact, I am proud to say he “stopped” many plays & saved the game because he caught the ball in time or threw to the right person always.
It is such a wonderful game to teach a kid about team work. We always reminded him of his strengths and weaknesses and reiterate the importance of teamwork in baseball. His fellow teammates and coaches have also been very respectful of each kid’s limitations. Not forgetting the parents, they are an awesome awesome bunch. We all cheer for each other’s kids and got along very well. We are all happy to see them progress.
I never enjoyed baseball until last year when the Phillies were playing in the World Series. My sons taught me the game and this year I learnt even more. I conclude that a successful Little League baseball game is really all TEAMWORK – teammates, coaches & parents and now I love it!