James' Summer Sports

James loves to play almost all sports and he was just young enough to meet the age requirement to join the Thayne Park and Rec teams this summer.

His softball team finished undefeated.  After about the second game, James became the permanent pitcher.  He was also the best hitter.  The team they played last for the championship got an early lead.  James' first two times at bat were when no one was on base.  The video is of his first home run of the game, but it was only one point.  I think it was about the fifth inning and the other team was ahead 6-3.  Finally it became James' turn at bat when the bases were loaded.  So exciting when he hit a triple!  Then we were tied, and the momentum turned.  Other players on James' team were making great catches, getting hits, and exerting themselves in ways they hadn't just an inning before.  James was oldest on the team.  Because of a lack of kids who signed up they had to combine the ages 9 through 14, instead of just a 12-14 year old team.  One of the younger players on the other team, who was also quite small got a hit that looked like it may go foul, just in the infield.  James went to retrieve the ball and the hitter confused about whether to run or not, ran into James.  James' coach was yelling for James to throw the ball to first and get the kid out, but James felt after all that he wasn't going to degrade the kid any further and the kid made it to first base.  Afterwards the coach recognized that James did the right thing, and his wife talked about what a kind kid James is.

Esther took the video with her phone.  She got a little excited at the end because she thought he might get out if he came home. Which he didn't, he was safe.

After the championship game.

Unfortunately James' soccer team hasn't been as successful.  Also unfortunately I don't have any photos or videos of James' soccer.  I'll have to try to get a photo of him in his team shirt at least.  The first game with soccer, James scored two goals, but the other team won 3-2.  James was probably the oldest player on that team as well.  He enjoyed the season very much.  Although the only game they won was when we were at Trek.

It's great to feel James' enthusiasm for sports.