In the last scheduled game of the season, Joe's Dodgers were scheduled to play the Stars on Sunday afternoon. A fun way to end the fall baseball season, because it was a beautiful day and Joe played with a few of the Stars' boys and for their coaches a couple of seasons ago.
Our boys were primed and ready to go, all of them arriving on time for batting practice 45 minutes before game time. That made me happy because JP and I have emphasized to the boys that it's important for them to take responsibility for asking their parents to leave home with enough time to get to the batting practice so they can be ready to play. I think our message had taken root, which is nice.
Unfortunately, the Stars only had five players. When their coach told me what was going on five or 10 minutes before the game, I initially was disappointed. However, we agreed to give them a couple of players so we could scrimmage. JP played right field for both teams. All of our boys got a lot of work in, too, which they needed. Plus, it was nice to play a laid back game in front of all of our parents to end the season.
I loaned the Stars Joe and Walker, which worked out well. Walker was able to play infield, second and third base. Joe played shortstop the first inning, then pitched three innings. It was fun to see Joe pitch against his teammates, most of them boys he's played with for many years. Joe pitched much better than his last outing. We still need to work on his velocity but he three to contact and struck a couple of batters out. He hit the ball well, again, and knocked in a run with a nifty two strike single to left field.
For the Dodgers, I was able to pitch Lucas, Bennett, Huck, and Trey, all of whom needed the work. Huck and Trey, who don't normally pitch, were excited to have the opportunity. Lucas struggled with his control - totally normal for a 12 year old learning to pitch on the big field. Bennett struggled, too, and seemed to be felt emotionally. He perked up, though, when he pitched to Joe and lined him out to shortstop.
During the game, I made sure to stop, to breathe, and look around field 5 at Warner Park and, really, just take it all in. Joe pitching, JP playing right field, all of my guys wearing Dodger blue in the dugout, and all of the parents sitting in the bleachers. Honestly, youth baseball the way it's meant to be played. In a recreational league, not traveling to Smyrna to get boat raced by a team of ringers with a giant 12 year old - who looks like he's 15 - throwing seeds to my 11 and 12 year olds.
There is a place for recreational baseball in youth sports. An important place. Sunday's scrimmage was affirmation of something I already knew.
The best of days.
Postscript. One more doubleheader vs. the Moonshots on Saturday. I hope the weather holds. I always hope the weather holds.
There's always more baseball. Somewhere, somehow, some way.
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