Blue Claws vs Sidewinders (lost 7-15)

Finally, we had the full roster show up. But rather than help us, it seemed to hurt us. The team didn't really have much team energy today and the guys (and girl) slogged their way through 6 innings in three hours. Maybe it was the rainy week. Who knows. It was something, because they did not display their usual fiestiness.
Henry's performance today was also less than spectacular. He had one triple (yeah!), one pop up (caught!) and one strike out (boo!).
He played pitcher, but didn't really get into a good groove, so coach Hawkins pulled him halfway through the inning. Henry didm't seem to mind.

And he played catcher, keeping great control of the ball and bossing the pitcher around every chance he got (this might just be 'his' position)!

Henry pitching.

Henry catching.

Henry striking out.

The Big Showwwwwwwwww

This week, Dwight emcee'd a talent show at Saint Mary's High School in Rutherford, NJ. Our neighbor, Glynnis, is a teacher there and she organized the show as a fundraiser for an organization called charity:water. (http://www.charitywater.org/)

In chatting with Dwight around the neighborhood, Glynnis recognized that Dwight is a superior talker, so she asked him to host the show.
The kids and I had front row seats and we were all so proud of him. He was professional, handsome, and just the right amount of silly.

Sekou and Mohamed

Sekou and Mohamed came out to the game today. I haven't posted their photos in awhile. They're both getting so big. Sekou is much taller than Siobhan now and Mohamed isn't far behind. They're such nice boys. We're all really looking forward to some beach trips together this summer.

Blue Claws vs The Lookouts

They won! They won! They won! Final score was 12-10.

Dwight's new strategy is to have a new pitcher every inning...he feels they'll be better prepared for the playoffs if they have more experienced pitching. So today, some kids who haven't pitched before were up on the mound. It was a long game of full pitch counts...two hours = four innings.
Anyway, our team found themselves at the bottom of the fourth inning with the score 12-9 and bases loaded. After a walk-in run, Dwight pulled the pitcher and brought in a kid who had pitched the first inning. The ump said that wasn't allowed, so Dwight put Henry on the mound. Henry threw a couple of balls, then the batter popped one up. Liam, who was playing 2nd base, caught the pop-up and tagged a runner at 2nd. A perfect double play. The next batter hit a line drive to first and was out. Dwight always gives a game ball to the player of the week. This week, Liam got the game ball.
Of course I took a few photos:
Henry at 3rd base. He had two triples and a single. As much as I love watching Henry play ball, I double-triple-quadruple love seeing Dwight and Henry together in the game. What a treasure that the two of them are able to share these experiences on the field.

The final play. Henry is celebrating on the mound as the first baseman touches the plate.

My little boy and my big boy--post game pride.

Blue Claws vs Scrappers

Eight kids showed up this week. Which was good considering that a lot of families started their Spring Break holidays today. But last week's luck didn't hold out and the Blue Claws lost 8-10.

Henry had a beautiful triple with bases loaded...however, the opposing coach (one of those guys who thinks he's managing an MLB team) noticed that Henry's bat was larger than allowed, so it didn't count. With those runs, the Blue Claws would have won the game.
Henry pitched today. He's been working on pitching at practice, but today was his first time pitching in a game. He did a good job, but got a little tired mid-way through the second inning.
Siobhan kept stats again and she caught the other team going out of their batting order. The other coach wasn't too happy about it...said she should have said something sooner. But the ump supported her and the Scrappers got an automatic Out. So once again, every Hawkins did their part (I took pictures & did parent PR on the sidelines).

Dwight's Birthday Tulips

Last October, part of Dwight's 'favorite things'-themed birthday gift was tulip bulbs. I planted them for him last fall. We've been waiting for them to open for a couple of weeks. This morning, they popped open!

Baseball Game -- Lucky Number Seven

This weekend, the weather cooperated and the Teaneck Southern League BLUE CLAWS were able to play their first regular season game.

Unfortunately, only seven (out of ten) players made it to the game, leaving the outfield a little bare.

But...they fought their way to victory! They were behind 13-10 going into the bottom of the final inning, causing great anxiety for Coach Hawkins. But they pulled it together and the final score: 14-13. Go Blue Claws!

Henry played 1st base and catcher. He looks so cute in the catcher's gear...he hates it when I take his picture during games, but look how many good shots I got:


Final inning stress.

Coach Hawkins.Siobhan, team statistician.