Summer Baseball

This summer for baseball Rob played on the American Legion team for his high school. The team was coached by the high school coach and it was great for Rob to play with all kids from his high school. It seemed less stressful for me, too, because the practices and home games were at the high school and Rob could drive himself.Rob looks on as his team mate, Blake, makes a play.
Rob at bat.
Fielding a ball.
A picture Mark took of a baseball. When I first saw this picture, I was trying to figure out the point of it, but the more I see it the more I like it.

The last game of the season the 3 younger girls came to the game with me in Newton. They announced that each foul ball returned would be worth 50 cents. The girls were all over trying to get the foul balls. Here, Morgan shows off one that she got.
Rob, talking with some team mates.

Summers are always hot in Kansas, but this one has been absolutely over the top. Most of the games in the last couple weeks of the season were played when the temperature was 105 or higher. There was one game in which Rob made an incredible diving play in the dirt. It really looked like he was eating dirt. He got the ball and threw it to first for the out. He looked even more dirty and hot after that game then usual!

I really like Rob's coach. Their team lost quite a few games this season because they are very young and they even played teams where many of the kids had all ready graduated. More often than not, the entire infield of our team would be made up of kids that will be sophomores in the fall. Rob's coach really emphasizes sportsmanship, hustling, etc. In one game, one of the really good players threw a bat and the coach benched him the rest of the game. It definitely hurt the team, but I was impressed that the coach emphasized good behavior over winning. The coach also says a prayer with the kids before every game. It means so much to me to have a coach that is a great role model and someone I am happy having Rob look up to!