Grand Slam Baby!!!

Okay, so I wish I had a picture of this! But, I do not. It was such a fabulous night. Okay, so here is the story. Baseball season has started for the spring. We put Caleb in fall baseball (his first time in kid pitch) and he had a TERRIBLE experience. His coach was really only concerned about his son pitching and did not spend much time teaching the other boys. Also, Caleb got hit by a pitch in both the first and the second games and didn't swing the bat for the next 6 games. We finally told him that we would pay him a dollar if he would just strike out swinging. Needless to say, he hated every minute of it and complained the whole time. I told him he was not allowed to end baseball on that kind of a season and we would sign him up for spring baseball when the time came.

A couple of months ago, we signed him up for baseball again. When we told him that we signed him up, he threw a HUGE fit. Stomped away crying and saying how he didn't like baseball anymore. It was too hard. We had a long talk (several of them actually) and he tried out for minors. He was placed on a team and started practicing.

Games started a couple of weeks ago and his first up to bat he hit a double. Then he struck out the rest of the game. Struck out all the next game, and the first 2 up to bats in the 3rd game. But...

His 3rd up to bat (with bases loaded), he foul tipped 3 balls in a row (over the back fence) and then hit a grounder just inside the first base line that went all the way to the outfield fence.

GRAND SLAM!!!

He came rounding 3rd base with the BIGGEST GRIN I have ever seen on his face!! He was so proud of himself and I was just cheering as loud as I could and trying (mostly unsuccessfully) to keep the tears from running down my cheeks. This is such a huge deal for him. It has changed his outlook on baseball completely. He is having fun and doing well. This last game he played, he had 3 out of 4 hits.

He also has been playing first base. Which is a big deal. He is a great catcher and they rely on him at first base. He has a wonderful coach that is very encouraging and gives the boys constructive criticism and really wants them all to improve. It is amazing what a little confidence will do for you! You go Caleb. Keep it up. Just have fun and do your best!! You are AWESOME!!