MM had his first t-ball practice last night. It was a blustery evening and we were all bundled up for a fun first practice. MM really has no sports experience – this was a major first for him – and unfortunately athleticism doesn’t really run in the family either. His father is infamous in his family for picking dandelions in the grass during soccer games as a kid. Being a latch key kid of a single father, I didn’t really do any team sports or activities as a kid and in school I loathed sports teams, taking on a very Daria-esque stance.

After driving around the park trying to figure out where we were supposed to meet, parking nowhere near the right place and walking a long walk to the field, we finally found the right place and kids started to trickle in. Kids with no mitt were asked to find one in a box. I found a mitt and handed it to him and the coach laughed both because it was on the wrong hand and apparently the wrong size. Like I would know. I found him a “child sized” mitt (why have adult size for 4-6 year olds?) and he was good to go.

He grabbed a bat pretty much the minute we got here, which might make you think he knew what was going on, but don’t be fooled. He also kept asking the coach for a soccer ball.

I think the coach was asking who had a glove already in the this picture but I like to imagine he’s asking “Who here has played t-ball before?” and kids raise their hands. “Who here has never played before?” ::said kids stare off into space dumbly::

Next they practiced running to all of the bases. MM did okay at this the first couple of times but then started to lose interest. “Haven’t we done this already? I’m just going to hang out over here, k?”

He didn’t really get this at all. When the coach threw the ball to one kid, MM would whine, “I want a ball!” and didn’t grasp the concept of “Wait your turn.” He frequently tried to walk away and do something else.

Little BB made a new friend at the game. This little girl is the 18 month old sister of one of the boys playing – a five year old who’s in his 3rd season of t-ball I think. I made fast friends with their mother who assured me that her son was equally space cadet-y his first time, so there may be hope for MM yet, although his father’s history doesn’t say much for him.

After much practice, they actually began to play a “legitimate” game. MM was last at bat – after spending most of the inning walking through the bleachers, happily oblivious. Did he hit a home run? Not so much. But I don’t think he really noticed.

After two tries, he was encouraged to “run home” as it was the end of the inning. I got a pretty great action shot of this. It kind of looks like he’s actually playing the same game as everyone else here. :O)

In the second inning he was told to stand at one of the bases. Yeah. That happened. Only not so much. When he wasn’t wandering around, he was found like this, “building sandcastles” apparently – which he told anyone who would listen. At least he was having fun!

Little BB had a good time, too, playing with her new friend and exploring the field, looking for mischief. Really we all had a fantastic time. Does MM appear to be a star athlete? Not so much yet. But I kind of love him for that, you know? And BB and Mommy made new friends, which is kind of exciting. We’re definitely all looking forward to practice next week, especially since I know where to park now!