The Boys of Summer!

The Baseball season is in full swing. There have been several developments during spring season.

Hunter Underwood
Red Sox

#4

It was the third game for the Red Sox. Hunter Underwood was still playing outfield and complaining every minute that he wanted to pitch. His coach just didn't know what he had. Finally, out of sheer irritation the coach put Hunter in during the last inning to pitch. It was 45 degrees and windy. Everyone really wanted to go home. One more painful inning and we could all be set free. Hunter steps up to the pitchers mound. He was bubbling with excitement. He wound up and strike. Another strike and another. One down. Again, strike, one ball and another strike. His coach, who was standing behind him on the mound, backed off and put his glove down and watched in amazement. In 5 very cold and exciting minutes Hunter had gotten three kids out in a row and we all got to go home. A pitcher was born!


Hunter has pitched in almost every game since. (the rules won't allow him to pitch all of the time). A batter has yet to get on base while he was pitching. He has other talents, but it is a sight to see him strike them out one, two, three every time.

Hunter will start his second season of baseball in July. He will have a whole new team. This time Dad will be his Assistant Coach. More to come......

Blake Underwood

Orioles

#10

Mustangs

#11

Blake is in his third season of baseball and it appears baseball is in his blood! He has no favorite position -loves them all. He seems to be able to play them as too. His real passion though is to bat. He wants to hit it over the fence!

During his current season he was invited by another coach to play on an AAU competitive league team. He was pretty excited as that is a big deal for a 6 year old. He became #11 on the Mustangs.




The Mustang's had their first AAU tournament last weekend. Unfortunately, the chamionship games were rained out so we will never know the outcome, but they were a 6 seed. It was great for their first time together.

Blake played left field. At first he was a little disappointed until he realized he was playing with the best kids around. They actually hit it to left field several times. He was working hard. He can throw further than most of the kids on his team so he soon found himself very useful out in the field. Except for the one that went over the fence....

He came home with a new mission. Next time he is going to hit it over the fence. He has been practicing every spare chance he has and his batting is already improving. I would not be suprised if by August he gets one over that fence!

Blake, Hunter and Dave

In early June the Underwood men all received the honor of a new level belt in karate. Dave and Hunter reached Brown and Blake reached Green.

Their hard work and dedication to this discipline is showing in many ways. The boys are really learning a lot of self control, integrity, perserverence, spirit and courtesy. They have some work, but it is paying off.


Hunter receiving his brown belt. He is thanking his instructors.











Dave receiving his brown belt.

Below is Blake receiving his green belt. He is giving his thank you speech.

Amy

Of course mom is part of all the action. Who do you think keeps the schedule on track, drives everyone around, makes sure there is water, washes the uniforms, finds the lost hats, picks up the strappy stuff to fix the bat handle, takes them to the field to hit balls so they don't break a neighbors window, makes sure we have treats when it is our turn and cheers every time someone does anything remotely good!!???

I am in the market for a good stadium chair.