After having two practices cancelled, Manny had his first baseball practice last night.  I apparently committed a major sin.  I had him wear his school uniform shirt to practice which is royal blue (Dodger blue) and he's playing for the Giants.  I promised John that I would do better next time while getting him dressed.  He'll be in orange from head to toe on Saturday, lol.

When signing Manny up for baseball John and I were struggling with whether or not to keep him in Tball or have him graduate to the next level, which is Peanut league.  Since his birthday is in the beginning of March he literally straddles the cutoff age, so I'm sure we could have held him back if we wanted to.  Our concern was that he wouldn't be challenged and would eventually get bored.

He knows how to field the ball (for the most part).  He knows how to throw the ball (for the most part).  He knows how to run the bases, and he knows all of the positions.  His nemesis, his kryptonite, his achilles heal is catching.

I was a nervous ball of energy showing up to his first practice.  I had played up his weakness in my mind so that it consumed me.  I was expecting him to be the only kid out there who couldn't catch the ball.  I was expecting  tiny pro six year old baseball players; 12 pint sized Barry Bonds.

And of course, OF COURSE, the first kids there were the coach's kids....kids who've probably been playing catch before they could walk.  Kids who learned to throw before they were weaned from the bottle or teat.  Kids who could throw someone out at home plate from the warning track in left field.

Fortunately, about three minutes later, the rest of the team started showing up and my fears were assuaged.  It seems as though catching was the rest of the teams achilles heal as well.  They were so bad, in fact, that the entire practice was devoted to defense.

I didn't really get a chance to watch practice since I had to keep the smaller two Bauson's entertained, but John assures me that Manny did get better during practice.  He managed to catch a few balls, and did really well at grounding and throwing.  He'll be practicing three days a week until the season actually starts, so he can only go up from here, and unlike last year, this year he actually enjoys playing catch with John.  Last year it was like pulling teeth to get him to practice.

Tonight is Christian's first Tball practice.  My only goal for tonight is for Christian to actually pay attention and take direction from his coach.  If we can accomplish those two feats, I'll consider it a good practice....wish me luck!