For The Love Of The Game

If you follow me on Social Media, you know that I am a boy mom! Oh, the fun we have! Some days, I find myself teaching why we don't throw a ball in the house for the millionth time. Then there are days when I teach the art of cleaning up after yourself. Most days, I just bow to defeat and try my best to let the boys be boys and shake my head as I try and understand. The lessons of parenthood are so vast and ever evolving. I am the only girl in my house so, I typically lose the battles! There aren't many days that I can convince the men in my life to enjoy the things I love to do. So, you guessed it, I do what they enjoy doing that is unless I want to be alone :)

2016 - First Little League Baseball Season

In 2016 my family became apart of the little league baseball tribe! My boys have been holding a ball since as far back as I can remember. With each season, I see their love and talent growing. I am so proud of the little men that I'm watching transform in front of me. My brother played baseball and I know he would be so happy to see the natural talent they each have. My boys bond over baseball, other than Church and their parents, baseball is just about the only thing they have in common.

Corban & Logan in the zone during batting practice!

My husband is all about the baseball so, we spend all year following certain players and reading up on statistics. Much of our extra curricular and leisure time is spent on baseball in the Patterson household. It's an ages old, all American sport that we love. The first recorded game of baseball took place in 1749 and featured the Prince of Wales!! This beloved game showed up in North America by the early 1830's. I love the rich history of it's players and growing my knowledge of the game. There is rarely a time spent at the little league ball field that I don't learn something new. I have definitely gotten used to the blank stares where Coaches are probably thinking, "Seriously lady, you don't belong here." I don't let it stop me though, I'm here for the duration. Even if I embarrass my kids and myself!

My boys are always sharing new discoveries with me and I love how interested they have become in this sport. There could be worse things for a child to be interested in! As a Pastoral family, I find it refreshing to unwind at the ball field and still use it as an opportunity to connect with and reach people. There are so many teachable moments with any sport but I have enjoyed showing my children the importance of letting God's light shine through our attitude, win or lose. I have had to practice what I preach as I hear myself in the background of my own videos arguing an umpires call!

Last night, my youngest son who plays in the "Pee-Wee League" which is 7-8 year olds, made his second appearance as pitcher during a game. He pitched 3 innings (that is the max a kid in his league can pitch in a week) and only walked one kid to first. I know every game won't be perfect and I know he will fight the expectations of everyone around him if he continues on in this position. However, his extreme focus and endurance was amazing. As his Mom, I was sitting in shock watching him in a position I didn't even know he could play... He had absolutely no nerves involved in his execution of a perfect inning. I know it sounds like I'm bragging and maybe I am but I was extremely proud of the composure my little guy had last night!

Logan's 1st Pitching appearance during a game!

This new season is hopefully going to bring new growth. I pray it brings maturity and leadership into perspective for his 7 year old mind. The smell of dirt and concession food has never been quite so exhilarating. This new era of family time has taught me that whether we're around a table or sitting on the bleachers, as long as we're together, that's where I want to be. That's home plate for me.

So, here's to night's under the lights and days under the sun. Here's to strikes, balls, fouls and home runs... Here's to winning, here's to losing. May we always find the lesson and apply it to the next game. Here's to batter up, stealing bases, pop fly's and grounders. Here's to the friends we make and the competition we meet, may we only be rivals on the field.

Here's to the boys... Let's play ball!