Red Sox vs Yankees, the bitter rivalry...Little League style

On Saturday, the Starr household joined the rank and file of children's athletic competition as Barrett took part in his first Little League game! Furthermore, what better way to be introduced to a classic game than being on a team like the Red Sox, a team that has more history in its pinky than the team from around these parts (sorry Rangers, you'll get there...maybe). In order to provide the "proud Dad" perspective on the game Jessica asked me (yep, you got Cody this week folks, hopefully I won't disappoint ;) ) to cover this exhibition of mass chaos...and I mean chaos. Witnessing my first 4-year old sporting event reminded me of what scientist call the "Butterfly Effect" which theorizes that a change in something seemingly innocuous, such as a flap of a butterfly's wings, may have unexpected larger consequences in the future, such as the path a hurricane will travel. That said, I'm pretty sure the insanity I saw on Saturday will likely result in a Typhoon striking the coast of Japan sometime soon. So here are the highlights and "video analysis". Watch the videos and I'll provide the commentary. Oh and pardon the sound quality, it was a typical spring morning where the Texas wind was howling at a constant 30 mph.

Warm-ups

This conversation is a microcosm of male bonding. Boys trying to one up each other and you have to love the runneth over of confidence from Barrett's mouth. The grass stains on the pants and dirt add a nice touch. Ice it off with a couple of well placed 'Dudes' and you have a form of juvenille behavior that will last well into their 50's.


Fielding and The Ground Rules
At 4, the rules are simple. There is no score, no outs, no stikes or balls. Everyone gets to hit, field, and run the bases. Great fun. In the first inning the boys were all a bit timid. The ball would get hit off the tee, roll into play with parents screaming "RUN! --insert child's name here--!" only to not be noticed by the dozen boys standing out in the infield - picking noses, facing the wrong way, waving at Mom, or just "zoned out" as us men love to do (yes ladies, it's a Men are from Mars thing).

When the boys came in to bat, the dad's, in our attempts to rush our kids to "The Bigs" told each of them, "Ok --insert child's name here-- , when the ball comes your way, go get it and throw it to first." The result is this (BTW, Barrett is #8, playing 3rd base):



Ok, I recall being told to "swarm" the football by my middle school football coaches but not in baseball. This dog pile of oversized pants, hats and gloves became the norm the rest of the game. Oh, and for a bonus, check out the size of the kid running to 3rd base (#12). That's a 4 year old? What are his parents feeding him? Is he grain fed?

Barrett's first at bat


Then the magic moment occurs where your child has his first at bat. I really enjoyed this moment. Here is the edited version (it took a couple of "pitches" before it happened).

Finally, a team cheer led by the coaches plus some photos from Jess...