Nostalgic for summer already...

...or just very bummed we didn't go to the beach this year. So, they created their own beach vacation for themselves and their little friends. :)

It's time for some "real" baseball...

I have been a coach on Zach's little league baseball team for the past 4 seasons. Last year, I was the head coach. As someone who has always been comfortable around kids and has enjoyed the role of parent and teacher... being the coach really suited me, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

So for this season, I signed on again to be a head coach. Now this will be Zach's first season of "real" baseball. The park we play at (Hobgood in Woodstock) has separate leagues for each age group up to 9 years old, and the six year old league is the first time that wins, losses, runs, outs, strikes, etc. are kept track of. I failed to realize the magnitude of this change as it affects the coaching experience.

It started with player evaluations and a draft. As a fairly serious sports fan, I have participated in my fair share of fantasy drafts and have always enjoyed it. I have to tell you, fantasy has nothing over a little league draft where I am actually having a direct effect on real people and could shape their future baseball careers... nothing fantasy about it... no pressure!

I have a great group of kids this year (we are the Burlington Bees) and a great group of coaches. We had our first two games this past weekend, and the reality of how serious everyone takes it this year compared to seasons past is dramatic. I hope to be able to curb my ultra-competitive nature and really focus on teaching the kids baseball rather then just trying to do whatever it takes to win. I'll let you know how that goes.

We gave Zach a "lucky" mohawk before the 1st game. It worked for the 1st game, not so much on the second game.

Proud Dad and coach