Boys and Girls of Summer - Part 4

The tradition of baseball in our family continues.  This is the third generation who has played and loved being a part of the Boys of Summer.  I remember watching Mike play as a young girl.  I spent many an hour on the sidelines when the children played.  Now, it is time for the grandchildren to play.

The focus is intense and the competition is fierce from warm-up till the last of the dust is settling after the game.  

They watch it into their glove and work hard to make their throws good.

This is Harris's second year to play ball and he really loves it.

His energy is harnessed and focused on the game.  

When he hears, "Down and ready!" there is no doubt that he knows what to do.

Charge the ball, scoop it up, and make a good throw to first!  

No matter what position is yours - be it circle man, third base, or outfield, when the ball pings off that bat, everyone is breaking for it and ready to make a play.  

After three outs and that last batter, everyone huddles up for a pep talk and gets ready to swing the bat!

When it is time to grab the bat, Harris knows to keep his eye on the ball and swing through.

Putting power behind it is serious business.  Then, you run as fast as you can!

Crossing home plate is a must no matter what league you are playing in!  And Harris knows that every good ball player has to get a little dirty.  After all, can you call it a good game if you don't come home covered in dirt?  This is serious business for a Boy of Summer.

You play hard and at the end of the game you slap hands with the other team and tell them, "Good game!" There is the ritual to this serious competition and he knows just what to do.

Harris isn't the only one on the team who knows that this is serious business.  His coach seems to realize that, too.  Every pitch has to be the best he can make!

Then, there's the wrap up after the game when the team gets encouragement and instructions to be ready for next time.

Ah!  Boys of Summer!