Vance is playing his first season of baseball in a long time. He played two season of t-ball when he was like 3 and nothing since. I have been proud of how hard he has worked to catch up with some of the kids with more experience. Is he a stud or what?!
I took a few pictures of him before one of the games -
He was on a new team so it was definitely a learning season. They lost more than they won but every kid made so much improvement throughout the season. I am hoping a lot of the boys will continue to play and grow together.
He plays catcher most of the time and the rest of the time at first base. Unfortunately I only take my big camera to one game per season (so I focus on watching the game and not just photographing the game) and he only played first that game. I wish I had more pictures of him playing catcher because it was so fun to watch him there but oh well. Hopefully next season right?!
He was pretty stoked when he earned the game ball for getting a couple great outs at catcher! It is my favorite to watch him catch but it always makes me nervous.
He is doing great at first base too! Get ready for picture overload of first base photos -
Vance did okay hitting at the beginning of the season and somewhere in the middle he got in a bit of a slump. We worked with him a lot at home, took him to the batting cages, and gave him encouraging words. However none of it seemed to help. He would step up to the plate and swing at wild pitches and watch strikes go by.
At his very last at bat of the season he had his best hit of the season on the very first pitch!!! I even caught it all on camera!
When he made it safely on base the look on his face was absolutely priceless. He was so proud of himself and my eyes were glistening with pride. I wanted him to get a decent hit in a game just so he would know that he was capable of it. He did it and (fingers crossed) ended his mental hitting block.
I think what he has loved the most is the boys on the team. I think he likes being able to hang out with his friends in the dugout.
I have to share one more proud mama moment that happened this season. After a game one night, the head coach rushed over to Chad and I after the team's post-game huddle. At first I was a little worried but then he said, "I really just wanted you to know how glad I am to have your son on the team. He is one of the only boys who is always lifting up his teammates. He listens and tries his best. It is my pleasure to coach him!" My mama heart almost burst with pride!!! I always say Vance just came that way and as parents we just try not to get in God's way. He truly has one of the sweetest hearts ever! However I like to think that our parenting plays a small role too. Comments like this are a nice reminder that what I do at home is important. Sometimes it feels like no one notices and it definitely seems like nothing is sinking in sometimes. The role of a stay at home mom can seem so mundane and insignificant but all the little things do indeed add up. I love the saying that goes "Your greatest accomplishment may not be something you do but someone you raise." I hope my greatest accomplishment is raising three boys to be great men!!!
'Til next season!
