Showing posts with label Yokosuka Youth Sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yokosuka Youth Sports. Show all posts

Friday, June 8, 2012

Season Ending - Pure Genius!

Last Saturday brought us the last baseball game for Stefan and the last T-ball game for Dougie.  Both boys have really loved playing and we pray this passion for fun continues.  We have been very blessed in their coaches - both kids had coaches that were interested in helping the kids learn how to play, increase their skills and to have fun.  In spite of the fact that scores were not kept, the kids in Stefan's age group all seemed to know "who won" and how many runs came in.

Last year, Eric missed Stefan's entire first season of T-ball due to being here in Yokosuka while we were back in Washington for the evac.  This year, I missed most of Stefan's games due to scheduling conflicts!  I am so thankful that our kids had at least one parent at each game!  Once Ian is in the mix too, we will have to rely more on other parents and do our best to be three places at one time.

Stefan is coming along as a good little ball player.  He can throw pretty far, but not necessarily accurately (hmmm - sounds a lot like his mummy...).   He makes contact with the pitches on a regular basis and does not swing at everything that comes his way.  He is becoming more confident in catching and fielding the ball. More than anything, he just really likes to play.  I would say it was a successful season!

Dougie is happy to be out there.  Sometimes, he is just really "out there"




Dougie can throw the ball straight, he just can't get it in the air...  He may become a great at the shot put! His swing is coming along.



But the ball does not always go, well, far...


Notice the ball is now behind the bat?!?



Go Mighty Dragons!!!


The Mighty Dragons!


Jaye, a friend of mine and mom of Ellie, Dougie's partner in crime/shoe inspection above, passed the game ball around for the kids to sign.  Dougie did not miss a beat, and signed his name mirror-imaged backwards.  Jaye turned to me and asked, "Have you thought about this kid being a genius?!?"  Like DaVinci?  More likely just a contrarian!  Pure Genius!


Awards were given out:


Dougie won the award for "Most Improved Swing"


Coach Stoner won the game ball!


The kids all won movie tickets!  Woo-Hoo!


Thank you for a great season, Coach Stoner!!!

Eric did not get any pictures of Stefan's last game since he was in charge of the batting line-up, third base coach AND watching Ian.  Simultaneously.  The memories and experience were a far better trade-off for Eric.  Having only seen Stefan play in pictures and video last year, he really got to enjoy the season this year.  He happily stepped in at practices and games and filled the position of assistant.  I think next year, I will just sign him up!


Coach Armstrong had more on his plate than he could manage alone with this team.  Any team of 7-9 year olds, really!  He did a fantastic job keeping his cool, encouraging the kids and maintaining a great sense of sportsmanship.


Go Diamondbacks!  Thank you, Coach Armstrong, for a great season!!!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Johnny Bench


This weekend was Stefan's season opener for Coach Pitch baseball!  


Coach Armstrong is pitching to Stefan





And he swings...





Again...

And then...

He got a hit, ran like the wind and ultimately...




Makes it home!



Coach Armstrong has put Stefan at catcher - a position he complains about ONLY when he has to don the gear.  One would imagine it would be the cup he would complain about...  Nope.  Its the helmet.  Of course...

Stefan makes a great little Johnny Bench.  It is a position that requires attention all the time.  He does not get the opportunity to check out the differing heights of grass blades nor can he talk with his neighbor.

He's got the stance!








Now, to work on catching...

Go Diamondbacks!!!






- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

T-Ball Season Opener


This spring is Dougie's first time playing a sport on his own!  He is playing t-ball for the "Mighty Dragons" and LOVES IT (emphasis his...)!  





Saturday was his first game.  His BFF, Elly, is on his team...


Elly Sullivan

His other BFF, Opel, is also on the team.  




Opel Bleile
If he wasn't laying on the ground in the outfield with Elly, 



(Dougie sporting his gold cleats, Elly her red - they are quite the fashion statement!)


 He was laughing and smiling from ear to ear...


Dougie
Opel
Dougie
Elly
Dougie
Elly
Dougie
Can you see a trend here?  Not only does he have many bestest friends, the majority of them are girls.  As you can see, he has very good taste :)


Ellly hits... and scores



Stefan played with Ian and helped Ian perfect the Superman Swing



After the game, they high-fived the other team, then kept high-fiving.  Around and around and around and around and...

Great Game Mighty Dragons!!!