My Family, My Everything - A Blog by Shaunna Hinshaw: March 2011

At the ripe old age of 4, Cade has entered the world of organized sports. Lucas and Bodie decided to put Carter and Cade in T-Ball this spring and coach the team. Bodie went down and signed up to coach a team then informed Lucas that he had no intentions on being the head coach - he'd leave those duties for Lucas! LOL Lucas and I were pretty nervous about the idea of coaching a T-Ball team since we had never been involved with any sports team as a parent. The first couple of weeks were pretty crazy. We were stressed about finding a uniform supplier and getting our team together.

We named our team the Athletics. We have the same colors and logos as the Oakland Athletics. Our first practice was on Monday March 7th. It was a cold day but all of the kids and parents seemed pretty excited.

Our first pre-season game was last Tuesday March 22nd. Let me just say, I had no idea that a sporting event could be so funny, intense, entertaining, and exciting all at the same time! I was so proud to watch all of the boys. We have several standout players on our team! Every single one of those boys tried their best and made at least one good play. A few even provided some entertaining laughs for us parents.

Our first inning was our best. I'm not sure how many runs we scored in the first inning, but my guess is at least 5. Carter scored a home run during that inning. Carter is a great player with skills that seem to far surpass what you'd expect from a 5 year old. He got all 3 of our outs (on the 1st 3 batters) during the first inning while he was playing first base! GO CARTER! He also slid into home on one of his scores! I can't wait to see this boy play in a few more years.

Carter sliding into home! Go Carter!!

Cade had a good game too. He is the only 4 year old on our team (this is a 5 year old team), but you really can't tell that he's the youngest. Cade got a hit both times he was up to bat - one of his hits resulted in an RBI; however the batter after Cade struck out which was our 3rd out. So, Cade didn't get to score. The other time he was up to bat he got out before making it to 1st. I was so proud of him both times though. He looked like a real ball player out there!

Cade's Hit! GO CADE!

In the 3rd inning, while our team was in the outfield - Cade was determined to get his hands on the ball and get some action! Every time the ball went into play he chased after it. (No matter how far away it was from him.) When one of his teammates would get the ball (usually Carter), Cade would stand about a foot away waving his arms yelling, "Throw it to me! Throw it to me!" When they didn't, he would get so upset. After this happened about three times, Cade had had enough! He started crying and walked out into the outfield. One of the umps was a sweet, young girl. She went over and talked to Cade and gave him some encouragement. He sucked it up and got back in there with the rest of the kids.

Cade and his umpire friend!

Probably the funniest moment in the game was when one of our players, Caison, ran from 1st to 2nd; but Brooks, the player on 2nd, didn't run to 3rd. Instead, he stayed put on 2nd! Everyone kept yelling for Brooks to run to 3rd. Then when we realized he wasn't going to, we began yelling for Caison to run back to 1st! By this point Caison was confused too - so they both stayed on 2nd. In the end, one of the boys was called out, which was our 3rd out. When Brooks got back to the dugout, he began telling his dad (Mark, who is also one of our coaches) about how he was on that base first. He really just didn't understand how he could be in the wrong, because he was there first, so it was his base! It was so cute! :o)

Our boys won their game, which made me so proud! They were rewarded with some goodie bags I put together. The bags had a package of Big League Chew, a package of Sunflower seeds, and a Gatorade. I also glued this sweet poem to the outside:

My Little Hero

It's time to knock one out of the park

You're my T-ball Hero you see

But if all you can do is swing till you're blue

You're still a hero to me

And I'll never forget the first ball you hit

It seemed like a home run to me

I shouted and hollered and got all excited

As I watched you - do you're best for me

That makes you a hero - a - T-Ball 'Hall of Fame'er'

Regardless what others might see

Because that's how I see you - You're My Little Hero

And forever that you'll always be

- Robert Yborra

GO ATHLETICS!!

Shaking hands with the other team after the game

Cade drinking from someone else's water bottle! LOL

Carter climbing the fence of the dugout

My uncle Victor all decked out in his Athletics gear!

LtoR: Dax, Cade, Hunter, Carter

Maddy put black makeup on all the boys. Here she is putting it on Dax. (Maddy was such a big help to the coaches with making sure all the boys knew what was going on when they were in the dugout!)