Game Ball

Before Jack's T-ball game last Monday night, his coach approached me and mentioned that Jack was scheduled to play catcher one inning during this game. Up to this point when he was asked to be catcher Jack refused. I told the coach I would do what I could to get him to try it, because this might be his last chance before the end of the season.

I called Jack over before the game began and told him that he had the chance to play catcher today. He said he wasn't interested. I may or may not have offered a small bribe if he would give it a try...I wanted him to at least give it a chance, try something new, stretch himself. He still said no, so I left him with the parting words "ok, well, you think about it."

When the first inning began, there was Jack, gearing up to be catcher. (Money talks with Jack and the bribe was monetary.) He did it. He played catcher. And it turns out, he loved it.

Now, if you remember, Jack's tactic at the beginning of the season was to avoid the ball at all costs. We have had a complete change since then. His favorite position now is first base-the one with the most action. When he plays first, as soon as the ball is hit, his two little hands, one of them baseball glove clad, go up in the air, waving to the player who has the ball to throw it his way. Big change from the start of the season.

When he runs the bases it's all focus. Getting from first to second without getting out is serious business. But once he is there, if you watch closely, you'll notice that he takes a minute to recognize he is safe and then he jumps up and down and dances and just basically shows in his own sweet little way that he thinks he rocks. And then sometimes he turns and gives me a big smile and a thumbs up. And I admit, I swoon every time. Whose cute kid is that?

So, after trying catcher for the first time and reportedly getting some great hits (this is what his coaches told the team-Jack got some great hits!), Monday night Jack earned The Game Ball. The coveted sign that you played a great game. One kid earns it each game and this was Jack's night. Oh the joy that comes from being recognized for doing something great. Jack literally bounced the rest of the night and even for several days after. He was SO excited.