We got to the park a bit early and had a pleasant surprise of running into our team on their way to the field. I was so excited about the picture opportunity and these boys humoured me and complied with my wishes to smile for the camera. And all of the other parents cameras. I told them they better get used to all the paparazzi now so they know how to handle it when they are famous.
Bridger. Austin. Jaxon.
Chance. Hunter.
Tyler. Nick.
Cooper. Zac. Aaron. Kai.
Our coaches: Scott and Troy.
Group pictures right after warm up.
The boys were excited and came ready to play. It is so fun to watch them when they are engaged in what is happening on the field.
The next game was right after that at noon against the #63 Highlands Ranch Cougars from Colorado. We lost this game 6-5. If the first close loss was heartbreaking, this one was absolutely heartwrenching. I actually cried after it was over.
We had two home runs this game: one by Bridger and one by Cooper. This was the celebration at home plate right after Cooper's home run.
It was a tight game the entire time. Nick was the last one up with 2 outs and gave a good effort but struck out with the bases loaded. He hates being in that situation because he feels he never executes. When the bat made its way around without hitting the ball, I crumbled because I knew exactly what was going through his head. I was not sad that they lost, I was sad because my son's heart was breaking.
There were no words to console him after the game. People kept trying to tell him he did great, he has played well the entire tournament, that he was one that they would want in that situation. He would have none of it. He kept saying over and over that he let his team down. He is the type of person to just let simmer for a while and mull over his feelings and then you can communicate with him tidbits at a time.
After the game we went to the entrance of the park to get some pictures by the cute baseball flower mound and the big sign that welcomes you into the Dreams Park.
As everyone knows, there is no crying in baseball. During the season we had a few boys who would get emotional if things weren't going their way--my boy included. The coach thought this was ridiculous so he threatened the boys that if someone started crying, he would order the rest of the team to go and give him a big group hug. This threat usually detered the tears from falling. Nick was still pretty down on himself while the group was getting their pictures done and without any prompting from the coach, some team members took it upon themselves to initiate the feared hug. I think it helped ease the pain a little bit from Nick's mind to let him know that his teammates still loved him.
We have had such a fun time here at this amazing place. It is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity for these boys and I am so happy that everything worked out so we could make it happen.
After pictures were over, Nick changed and we checked him out so he could hang out with us for a while. We went to the Penguin, our favorite ice cream place, on the way home because ice cream makes everything better. Especially this place.
The secret to the ice cream is that they add mixins to soft serve ice cream. My favorite combination was lime cheesecake. It was absoultely scrumptious. It tasted exactly like key lime pie.
Nick cheered up a little bit. There is nothing like a goofy younger brother to help lighten the mood.
It was fun to hang out and laugh and I really think the younger boys missed their older brother. It was a sweet reunion.
We went home and ate dinner and hung out getting excited about going to the Baseball Hall of Fame and closing ceremonies the next day and talking about how much fun this week has been. I can't believe it is almost over!
No comments:
Post a Comment