Thursday, April 15, 2010

The reason for the season

I feel compelled to update since I just posted about Mitch's team yesterday. He had game 3 last night. So here is the rundown...
Mitchell's team is inexperienced and young. Mitch has been playing since he was 5, loves the game and understands the game. They played a more experienced team with a real coach last night. :)
At the end of the game, Mitchell's team was down 16 to 0. You wouldn't have known it by watching him. He played catcher through 4 pitchers, over 100 pitches thrown. Everytime the ball is pitched, Mitch squats down, then up, and unless it is hit, Mitch makes a throw back to the mound. Every wild pitch, he is chasing a ball to hustle before bases are stolen. My kid was tired and losing, but you wouldn't have known it. He never once slowed down or looked discouraged, he was still calling out where the play would be to his team, diving for the tag at home, and playing his heart out. He became the final out of the game as he tried to steal home on a wild pitch and was tagged out. The final batter on his team would have struck out, so he was trying really hard to get one run on the board for his team. I was more proud of him at this losing game than I have ever been when his team has won. He showed heart, courage, determination, strength and good sportsmanship. This game was not about being competitive, it was about being your best. I blinked away tears watching him.
This is why we play. This is why we hike. This is why we participate in legal child abuse. :)
This is why we try hard things. Because it's awesome to watch your kid not give up mentally or physically.
Plus playing ball is just plain fun.
The coaches and parents of our team have nicknamed him now.
Mad Man Mitch

10 comments:

WildBound said...

That's freakin' awesome! And highly allergy-inducing...

jksfam said...

Yay for Mad Man Mitch! Glad he gets to play! James has been in the outfield and is one of the 4 that 2 sit out every other inning...

WildBound said...

And I played catch with Mad Man Mitch, in his own back yard...

Wildman

Kiffon said...

Way to go Mitch! Love the new nickname!

DreamPacker said...

Wow...talk about those dang allergies...could barely finish reading through the tears. Wish I could watch his games!

Desertbound said...

*sniff*....You are right, Beth. That's what it's all about. I'd take Mad Man Mitch on my team of life any day!

Karen said...

Way to go Mitch! I'm all about legal child abuse too. Or is it legal...

Julie said...

That's great that he has learned that so young. Some of us are still trying to learn it!

Kassidy said...

"This is why we play. This is why we hike. This is why we participate in legal child abuse.:)"


Poetry.

Way to go, Mitch.

CowboyBob said...

Yep! Surpassing the limits is what it is all about. I'd surely love to see Mitch play a game.