Last Tuesday was Connor’s first Tee-ball game. We packed his uniform, cleats and Tee-ball glove into a plastic bag so that I could help him change after school. Connor was incredibly proud of the fact that he looked like a baseball player and begged me to allow him to wear his uniform to school. Instinct told me that would be an incredibly bad idea. Instead, I promised that he could show his friends his uniform after he changed that afternoon. His grin lit up his face.

Connor held me to my promise. As I helped him pull on his knee-length dark green socks, he reminded me that he wanted to show his friends his Tee-ball “outfit.” I tied the laces of his cleats while he jammed the green and yellow cap on his head. When he stood up, I assured him that he did in fact look like a real baseball player.  He struck a quick pose, then rushed out of the rest room and back to his classroom so that he could properly wow his friends.

We arrived at the softball field 15 minutes before the game. The weather was decidedly unspring like and part of me (the cold part) wondered exactly how long it would take approximately 20 4, 5 and 6-year-olds to play three innings of Tee-ball.  I insisted that Connor wear his sweatshirt under his A’s shirt and donned another sweater and jacket. Mike had only a jacket, so we were both grateful when we overheard another parent mention the words “hot chocolate.” Mike immediately headed to the snack shack.  And while what he came back with was chocolate, it was closer to lukewarm than hot, but I wasn’t complaining. 

To me, the best part of Tee-ball is the enthusiasm the kids have for the game. They’re thrilled to be playing “baseball,” no one keeps score and no one strikes out. Connor got on base with his first hit and was brought home a few batters later. I had to laugh when he started running for first base from third.  Apparently, he didn’t quite understand where “home” was. When the coach got him redirected, he ran back to third and then ran to home plate. I gave him a thumb’s up and smiled. 

By the third inning, Connor knew the exact location of home plate.  Although he’d been tagged out before reaching first base in the second inning, he’d also tagged someone else out and had the immeasurable satisfaction of hitting the Tee-ball version of a home run in the third inning. He was the last batter in the last inning of the game and ran the bases while we cheered. After the game, we bought him a hot chocolate and told him how proud we were of him. 

When we got home that evening, Connor told the story of his home run.  The boys looked doubtful, but I confirmed the truth of Connor’s claim. They were impressed, especially when we added that he’d also tagged someone out at first base. Later, as I tucked him into bed, it occurred to me that the events of this night would never be repeated. Since Connor is the youngest, this was our last first Tee-ball game.