It's always interesting to watch kids "play" a sport, but it's even more interesting and entertaining to watch how the parents react. And maybe I'm more relaxed about because I have 2 kids and 1 of 2 being athletic isn't bad right?! Tyler has amazing skills for a 5 year old...Madi, not so much. BUT she looks great standing there pretending.
We just finished our very first season of Tball. How entertaining was that?! We had parents who didn't really care and just wanted their kid to do something and get out of their hair, then you have parents like myself who cares, but I'm not going to slice my wrist if my kids can't hit the ball, and then you have the REALLY fun people...those who just wants their kid to be amazing so badly.
When we first got there my kids' gloves barely fit, poor Tyler couldn't catch the balls because the balls were bigger than his glove and Madi, well Madi's was pink it she looked awfully cute standing there praying the ball didn't go to her, not that it matter if it did because this girl was NOT going to move. So we upgraded Tyler's glove and then eventually got them a helmet because I was not too keen on the kids getting lice from sharing those helmets. ewwww. Eventually we did get him his own bat and an equipment bag to put all this stuff into which makes it easier for me. And all the other kids started getting new stuff too, it's really cute when they get into, but not so cute when the parents are more into it. Some kids started to show up with batting gloves...but barely even knew how to hold the bat...but they did know which was the bat! Phew!
A whole 6 weeks of watching my kids learn to play the game and they have both done so well. Tyler can hit pitches, catch balls (even pop ups!), and throw the ball. Madi can hit a pitched ball, throw the ball now and "catch" the ball. Although "catching" the ball is really the thrower having good aim because you have to throw it right into her glove rather than her catching it. Whatever works! She would stand there and the ball would be hit and rolls right by her...instead of running to get it, ALL of her teammates are running for the ball and Madi actually moves aside so they can get it. Or if she's in a good mood, you'll see her standing there and actually dancing. My daughter....I don't think there is a career for her in softball...oh well!
Now for the pain. It is painful watching those parents who are upset that their son ( I don't see this with the daughters...actually not many girls playing.) for not playing right. You have the Dad who are standing there and yelling out orders to their kid and not necessarily supporting them. And when it's time to bat, he'll stand right there and walks his son up to the plate and the whole time reminding him, "remember how we did this at home, hold your elbow up, make sure you swing straight..." and when he doesn't hit a pitched ball and we have to use the...gulp!...T stand...oh no! all chances of this poor kid's manlyhood is gone (in his dad's eyes). You can almost hear the father screaming "no! not my kid! he CAN hit the ball!!!! he can!!!!". And the time he does actually hit the ball well then! the chest gets all inflated and sticks right out. What a man HE is for fathering this boy who just hit the ball. These poor kids. It's a game. And they are 5!!! Can we please give them a break?!??!
What's worse is that some of these types of Dad actually coaches the team. So there we were, tornado watches were issued, severe storms were forecasted, but "Mona, we'd still like to get the game in if possible." Is he serious?!?! These kids are 5! It's Tball! "We'd like to get them game in" is he for real? It took everything within me to not tell him what I really thought. Wished him luck with his team but we are cancelling the game. Is it the end of the world if we god forbid cancelled a game? good god! These kids are so young and before we teach them to be competitive lets just let them be kids and enjoy themselves...T or no T!
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