Dave and Hunter's Dodgers

Second season is in full swing. Dave and Hunter were assigned the Dodgers this time around. What are the odds that Amy would have to go to CA for business during the first week of their season so she could pick up an official Dodger's shirt for the assistant coach (Dave). He is now the best dressed coach at Holiday Park.










So far the season has been a little slow. Sometimes watching 8 year olds playing baseball can be like watching paint dry.

The Drill
Kid pitches the ball over the umpires head, ball hits backstop and rolls under the catcher, catcher spins around to find it, finally ripping the helmet off to spot it between his legs, catcher picks it up and throws it over the pitchers head, second base notices if he hasn't lost interest already, throws it back to pitcher, pitcher doesn't quite catch it, but can run it down, pitcher gets ready for next throw while catcher gets his gear back on. (That is what Hunter is watching in this photo)



Some baseball math:

7 batters (they have a 7 walk limit per inning) times 4 balls per batter and maybe a few desparate swings out of boredom = 28 + times we repeat this scenario........30 minutes and 7 walks later the teams switch places and we start again.....







Here Hunter earns his walk. It would be easier to be hit by the ball, but Hunter opts to earn a real walk.

Next, he slings the bat down so he can take his walk.

Finally, he steals second while the catcher hunts for the ball while the next batter earn his walk.

Dave has been a noble and brave man to volunteer to assistant coach this poor group of souls. He encourages them to "hussle", "look alive", "ready position", "this will be the one" and many other encouraging baseball phrases. He never loses his spirit.

Here you see a coach from the other team talking his ear off while Dave tries to stay focused. Dave is baseball ready. This other guy is not setting a very good example for his players.

Amy supports the team as well as she is now the assistant coaches' wife. She helped a little boy with gum that he had gotten all over his face during one game. He was trying to "blow the biggest bubble ever". That was pretty entertaining. It wrapped around his whole face and under his chin. That kept her busy for some time.

(sorry no photo - it would have been a good one!)

During the last game, Hunter was on the bench for the first inning. Apparently, this is a desired spot as there is shade and he could take a nap. He laid down on the bench and got a good 20 - 30 minutes in during the 7 walk innning before he had to take his turn walking the bases.

(another missed photo op)

Then Hunter got to pitch. He started throwing strikes and struck two batters out in a row. They weren't used to having to swing because the usual strategy is to just stand still so you can get the walk or move so you don't get hit. The third batter had two strikes on him when he took a chance and actually swung the bat. Action.. straight into the air and a caught fly ball. A legitimate out in the field. Yeah!! Three batters, three outs! Yeah! Hunter 'the Heat' lives on.

We won the game in the end by one run.

Hunter and his dad.