Sandlot

[ehowton]

It started innocently enough. Then again, doesn't it always?

My son thought batting would be fun.

So I bought a Little League baseball bat this past weekend. Which, BTW aren't nearly as inexpensive as you'd think they are. I'm just saying.

I remember when I bought him his glove. We threw the ball nearly four years ago in Saint Louis. That didn't go well. I guess he was too young. Just in case, I haven't brought it up since. But over the last week or so, he's wanted to throw the ball around. We dusted off our gloves and did just that. Sister too. But he also wanted to bat.



We found ourselves at Dick's at The Village in Fairview (read: Allen) and it ended up that Monday after work we split into two small teams what with a couple of neighborhood friends over. That went really well and we did it again Tuesday and again Wednesday. drax0r got wind of this and came over Thursday with his boy, and since one of the neighborhood kids was gone I grabbed another neighborhood kid. Who brought his cousin. And his cousin's brother. We finally had a full outfield.

With something like nine of us out there playing, many of the other neighbors stopped by to watch, if only for a moment. And some of the parents. And a girlfriend - who was our cheering section. It reminded me of the impromtu games of my youth in Wise County when a whole group of grownups and kids would just somehow...gather...out at the old elementary school and start a pick-up game. Soon old men would arrive in their pickup trucks to watch. Some would bring water. Others would bring ice cold watermelon. And this was in the late 80s! Yet it was reminiscent of what you'd think the 50s were. Black & white T.V. Apple Pie.

I'm glad to be "that" dad.

What a freaking blast.

Comments

[wardlejew.livejournal.com]

That is so awesome! Days that will be remembered forever by your kids.

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

When we're all having fun doing an activity together, now that's magic. I sure have fun playing video games with them, but I'm having equal parts fun with this as well.

[schpydurx.livejournal.com]

Fucking fantastic! Fuck yeah!

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

Glad you think so. Its been f'ing hot hot hot (our hottest game was nearing 106-degrees) but just as fun :D

[schpydurx.livejournal.com]

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

Is that...peanut butter?

[schpydurx.livejournal.com]

Indeed it is.

[mr-dowg.livejournal.com]

I will have to come over sometime and see if I can get involved.....too bad I don't get home until 6:30 or so on most nights!

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's my only sticking point - I never know if I'm going to be home at 1500 or 1800!! But that's cool, drax0r doesn't show up until 1900-1930 most evenings. We play until dark.

I'll add you to the roster.

Also - at my height & weight, I burn over 200 calories an hour and most nights we play nearly three!

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

We've got a game scheduled tonight around 1830.

[celtmanx.livejournal.com]

I suggest the name Niners for a base ball team name!!!

That's just awesome. If boy and girl ever want to bat in the air-conditioning, I know of some free indoor batting cages.

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

Why the Niners? Nevermind - I *just* got it as I was typing that question. Seeing how drax0r is also a huge fan of DS9 I think we might just have to adopt your idea!

[celtmanx.livejournal.com]

OMG!!! I just noticed that little girl has your tongue!!! Poor girl.

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

Hey! I didn't teach her that :P

[michelle1963.livejournal.com]

Beautiful.

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

:D

[irulan-amy.livejournal.com]

You are that awesome dad. That sounds like so much fun - even with the crazy heat. Your kids will never forget days like that.

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

Yay! We had 14 people over here the other day for our most intense game yet - we played for three hours straight through with a single 5-minute water break. What freaking fun!

I love that it's the first thing my children want to do when I get home.

[kat-rowe.livejournal.com]

you're da man! *hugs you* Every child should be so lucky, man

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Its the best part of coming home from work - the children asking in eager anticipation, "Can we play ball today?"

We're on our 8th day in a row. Last night - 24 players on the field. This thing is snowballing. The kids love it.

[kat-rowe.livejournal.com]

if you pitch it, they will come?

sounds really cool :)

[thesweetestnote.livejournal.com]

Wow! That sound like fun! We used to stickball. Broom handle and a tennis ball...then we'd use the four corners of the street intersection as bases. It was fun till the bigger kids would send the ball 3 blocks away or we'd have to play Frogger with passing cars. ***SIGH*** yes... my childhood in the streets LOL :P

[ehowton.livejournal.com]

Growing up in Dallas we played a lot of "street soccer." But the tennis ball...now that's a good idea.