T-Ball

Arden is playing T-ball this Spring at the Y.  She is on the Oakland A's team.  T-ball is hilarious.  I've really enjoyed going to the games and watching the 3 and 4 year-olds play ball. 

The rules of the game are very lax at the Y...understandably so since the players have no idea what they're doing.  Basically it's just an introduction to the game so the players get an idea of batting, base-running, fielding, teamwork, and sportsmanship. 

Here's the basics of the game: 
1 .There are no strikes, outs, or scoring.  Being big advocates of a winning/losing system, Brian and I didn't like this at first.  But honestly, the kids don't understand the game enough at this age for it to even make a difference; their attention spans are 3.5 seconds. 
2. Every player bats and runs the bases. 
3. If a player catches the ball then he/she automatically throws it to first base. 
4. There are usually three+ players standing on the pitcher's mound because that is where most of the balls are hit to.
5. There are parents or coaches standing at each base to direct the clueless runners to the next base.  

This team had four first basemen :)

Some funny moments:

Arden got lost between second and third base during the first game.  She ran from second base to the next field over.

The smallest player on Arden's team was the coach's son.  Instead of running, he did more of a powerwalking maneuver.  So stinkin' funny to watch.

One kid hit the ball off of the tee.  Instead of running to first base, he rushed towards the pitcher and caught his own ball.  He then threw it to first base, thereby getting himself out (if they had outs, that is.)

After batting one time, the power walker began going toward first base.  Half way to first, he turned around and went back to the dugout area to pick up his Teddy Graham crackers.  He then continued on toward first.  I guess he needed a snack on his trip around the bases. 

One little boy with a good arm and swing would squat like a catcher while on the field.  Arden liked this and began squatting, too.

By game 5, the previously mentioned squatter turned into the team's cartwheeler.  He did a cartwheel after every ball he caught.

Every game Arden would abandon her position out on the field to come inform me that she was "hot and sweaty and ready for a drink."