Play Ball (or at least try)

Today was opening day for Ben's baseball team (he was also team captain). He moved up to "AA" ball this year and it is a whole new ballgame (seriously, no pun intended) Last year, Ben's team was undefeated. They were pretty strong in both hitting and fielding (it was rare for any ball to get past the infield) The boys had been together for a couple of years and were finally starting to actually play as a team. They were also the "old" team with many kids at the top of the age bracket.
This year we are back to being the young ones and have to deal with kid pitching and base stealing. The biggest change is the use of a hard ball. Last year, Ben would smack the crap out of the ball and it wouldn't go anyway. This year, they do.
On Ben's first at bat of the season he sent a doozy over the head of the left fielder. He was getting extra bases for sure. When he got to second he was sent to third and we couldn't believe it when he was waved home.
We were all screaming and cheering. I don't think Ben has ever run that far that fast. As he was heading toward home, in comes the throw from the cut off man and there was going to be a play at the plate. Ben slides, but is tagged by the catcher. To make it worse, Joji was the home plate ump and had to call him out. He was sooooo close. Oh well, he was still totally stoked. I wish I had taken a picture, but I keep score and unfortunately don't have an extra set of hands. Ben's next at bat was just as exciting he hit a little blooper up the first base line and ended up with a double. I was hoping Ben would hit again, but it was 7:00 and it was cold!!!! There is just something wrong being wrapped head to toe at a baseball game. We had a practice game on Saturday and it was amazing. Warm and sunny. We were joking "what's wrong with this picture". Hopefully, the sun will make an occasional appearance at some of the games.

As I type this the M's are up 4-1 over the A's. Hopefully, they will win as well.
However, as any true M's fan can tell you, it ain't over til it's over. No lead is big enough going into the 9th inning. We have a few bugs in the old bullpen and hopefully they will work themselves out soon. Not to mention that JJ Putz, our closer, is on the DL. Why can't everyone just stay healthy. Oh well, go M's. :0)