WHEW!!!  What a game!! It started at 5:30.  Coach informed me he was going to be catching the whole game to make sure he had plenty of water.  We only had one extra player.  Two teammates have quit on the boys thus far....our lineup is dwindling.

 

I cannot rehash the entire game...because it got UGLY during the 3rd inning.  The boys played hard...and suddenly, an infield fly caused such chaos that I didn't even understand what was going on until after the fact.  Basically; what I DO know happened was...our pitcher was on the rubber with the ball and their runner attempted to take 2nd base.  Our coach yelled; the ump sent the runner back the other teams coach said something (supposedly to the first base coach)...the ump took it to be directed towards him and he told the teams "one more outburst and he'll throw the coaches out"... the crowd went silent...then the other teams coach began walking into the field..running his mouth the entire time..the ump told him he had 5 seconds to go back or he was thrown out.  The coach didn't listen...then the ump said, "GAME!"  It was tied 3 to 3 in the 3rd inning.  The Braves were batting.  By this time; the boys had all taken seats in the field and on bases..just waiting to see what happened.  Finally....the umpire returned to the field...the game resumed but the Braves coach was escorted off the field by a board member of the league.  We later saw him sitting on the bleachers coaching....but needless to say, the runner DIDN'T get that base he attempted to steal.

 

Ryan made his signature move...he got an out at 3rd.  On a wild pitch...he recovered...took a few steps towards 3rd...fired it to the baseman and the tag was made!!! OUT!!!  Lead runner was taken out!!  Later, we were in a bit of a snafu...our pitcher was wearing down.  He'd gone 4 and half innings.  They pulled one of our 9 year olds up to pitch.  Parents were a bit upset because of the history of this pitcher was NOT good and his performance as a teammate as a whole was NOT up to par enough to give him the honor of pitching.  However, we were just the mom's and dad's not the coaches...the coaches made it clear that we were to be ignored.  Unfortunately, it was a rough inning and this pitcher managed to get the score closer than we had wanted it...the score had been 13 to 7 Cubs favor...by the end of the inning; it was more like 13 to 11. 

 

Top of the 6th inning...we didn't manage to get any runs bottom of the 5th...we had to hold 'em.  Our 9yr old pitcher returned to the mound.  He walked in two...it was time to pull him.  He was NOT happy and as he returned to his place in outfield...he threw equipment in anger.  Parents were upset that he was allowed to get away with the unsportsmanship....but we had no subs.  Ryan was called in from catching to pitch!!!     This was NOT an ideal situation for him.  He'd only pitched one game before for one total inning.  It was another situation where he had to come in and clean up the mess.  Fortunately, we had a strong 1st baseman and catcher.  He pitched as best as he could...I think he got a total of 2 strikeouts.  He managed to walk a few too.  Then...a GREAT play...the batter swung and made contact but it didn't go far...it was rolling towards 1st.  Runners were going.  One was coming home...the batter passed Ryan as he tossed the ball to first base.. OUT!!!  Then the first baseman fired it home to hold the runner at 2nd.  FINALLY!!  Two down.  Ryan pitched and it went wild.  Ryan was in to cover home...catcher got to his feet and RUSHED in to tag the runner before he got home!!! Final out...but the score had tied at 13.  The Cubs just needed ONE run to win the game.  After a strike out, a walk and a GREAT hit by the new catcher for a triple...we got a batter up that had hit to the fence before.  He had 2 strikes...he swung..it went... and our runner at 3rd scored... GAME OVER!!!!  Cubs won!!!  Cubs won their second game!!!  FINALLY!!!!  Once again, Ryan got to return to the mound after catching for nearly the entire game.

 

(see photos in gallery of Ryan pitching)

 

Today....we are not only celebrating Memorial Day with the traditional cookout with the family; we are also going to be BACK at the ballpark!  Yesterday, the league attended the Lexington Legends game...we had a great attendance!!  THANK YOU JCYB FOR THE OPPORTUNITY!!  It was heartwarming seeing adults and kids from ALL teams in uniform playing and socializing without pressure of performing to WIN.  Goes yet again to show that kids should be our example....they know how to play hard and not hold grudges...they don't take their problems ON or OFF the field...they leave 'em!!!

 

The Legends game was HOT!!!!  Needless to say; group seats are WAAAY out behind the 3rd base dugout..but we DID get recognized for being the LOUDEST section!!!  The game lasted from about 2 - 5; we returned home and crashed until the sun went down.  Then, I finished up painting a magazine rack for the craft room and the kids tossed the baseball around. A very relaxing day...

 

Well...time to get back to some craft room construction...or destruction or instruction...depending on the project!!

Well, today has turned out to be a great day for baseball.  At 10am the boys took the field for yet another game.  They are hoping for a win...they are trying so hard.  It was their first time facing the Cardinals.

 

After 3 hours of play...the Cardinals walked away with the win... Cardinals 11 Cubs 9. 

 

They played a great game!  They didn't win according to the score...but they won!!  They made great throws, held them from scoring a LOT of runs and our starting pitcher got 10 of the 13 strike outs in the game!!!  Ryan was quick witted and he called time out to talk to his team at just the right moments.  All in all....they deserved the win even if the score didn't reflect it.

 

Later, I overheard our coach saying that he was given a compliment by another coach (I assume) in the league..said that the Cubs ARE the most improved team he'd seen.  I agree 100000% percent.  They have struggled but they are hanging in there.  THEY ARE WINNERS!!!

 

Afterwards....the coaches treated the boys to Dairy Queen!  What a wonderful staff of coaches!!  They boys shook off the loss and ate ice cream and talked about everything BUT baseball.  Parents were reliving the game and talking about the next one.  I know it's the boys that play, but in all honesty, the parents ARE the driving force behind the game.  Kids are kids...they lose focus and move on...so we have to be the glue that holds them together.  Our team has some GREAT parents who merely want our boys to be treated with a little respect.  Any team that plays them in the future should respect them for stepping out onto the field....they ARE winners!!!

 

I'd like to take this moment to say....parents of little league players....remember, while sitting in the stands your child and his teammates ARE watching you!  Be a good example.  We had this one parent on the Cardinals saying, "THERE IT IS" as the ball came in and made our boys swing at some HORRIBLE pitches!!!  THEY ARE JUST KIDS!!!!  They are nervous and when they are in the batting position, locked and loaded for the pitch...it takes a milisecond for them to react and when you yell like that...they listen!  They are not sure if that is their parent, coach or a teammate yelling.  We noticed the other team doing it and since our poor team gets called on EVERYTHING, we checked with the league about rules...there's no RULE against it.  But geezzz..have some common descency and act like you belong in society.... STOP IT!!!!  Trust me...they didn't like it being done to them...YES...we did it right back.  Now, two wrongs don't make a right...but someone has to take up for the boys.

I just love AMERICA!!!  I love baseball!!  They are great together.  Last night was even greater.  We got to treat the family, the kids mostly, to their FIRST Major League Baseball game.  We've watched a many MLB games on TV and kids just don't get that those are REAL people like you and me. 

 

We drove North for 2 +/- hours to the "Great American Ballpark" to see the Reds host the Pirates.  The game got off to a GREAT start...tied EARLY in the game 2 - 2.  Ryan was dressed in his black and yellow among the sea of red...but he was just happy to be there.  He read the batter's stats when they were up, he recognized names he'd only seen on TV and he was very eager to get a fly ball.  When the guys broke bats...he was out of his seat with excitement.  The game was going into extra innings, I knew that early on...I asked if he was ready to leave and he said, "No way mom!".  When the Reds started losing....we had to explain to our children WHY folks were leaving.  I simply told them, "we call people like that fair weather fans...they only stick around when they are winning". 

 

Now, I'm not a fan of one team over another.  I follow players.  I can't recite how many teams a player has been on, but when I hear of a player I have liked, I watch them.  Eventually, I realize that they have changed teams...so what?  I truly cannot pick a team.  I know some folks are die hard fans of a team...but when you get ugly and yell out profanity, and throw you glove around...it's time for you to re-evaluate WHY you chose to follow the team.  We had this guy sitting in front of us with a Pete Rose jersey on.  He started screaming at the pitcher..saying, 'You su**!  You ain't worth the money they pay you!"  He got up, threw his glove to the ground and continued with profanity.  Finally, he had to bend down get his glove and he left.  Personally, bending down to get the glove is work for me...why the heck would I cause myself more work?  A GROWN MAN...give me a break!!!  OH..and the crowd was just as crazy.  As a whole...the first Pirate homerun was caught and thrown back...I know that is how you show your support for a team...but geezzz...find a fan of that team...there's dozens of kids just dying to get that ball....only to be run over by some huge 300lb man who is only going to throw it back!!!  Don't reach for it!!!

 

OK...anyway... the game was FUN!! The kids were stuffed with pea nuts, cotton candy, pizza and drinks.  The 11 inning game ended with Pirates 10 Reds 4.  Ryan was VERY happy!  We sat for a firework show then made it back to our home by 1am.  It was all in all a great family night out!!!  GOD I LOVE AMERICA!!!!!

Well, the Cubs tried really hard again...

 

It was the 2nd time the Cubs had faced the Nationals.  They started off really well, Ryan was lead off hitter.  He was walked...then he stole second.  A few minutes later, he stole 3rd.  Eventually, Ryan made it home and after the third out; it was down hill for the Cubs.  They were unable to get out of the pitching slump.  The pitchers struggled to get strikes and after three pitchers, the game ended at the end of 2 hours of play...the score was something like 19 - 4... I think.

 

Oh well, Cubbies.....try really hard again on Saturday.  They looked great on the field...they were moving and covering well, but still a very green team.

 

-TTUL CASS

Oooops!! Did you realize that Sunday was "Mother's Day"?  I did...of course.  Kaitlyn was up firs (as usual).  I had left the kids and their dad watching a movie and hit the bed early the night before with an AWFUL headache and itchy watery eyes, stuffy nose...you get the picture.  Having spent nearly 5 hours at the ballpark (3 hours was for ONE baseball game!); I was beat.  I didn't even clean the kitchen. 

 

Speaking of ballpark...Kaitlyn won her first game!!! She was goalie for 1/2 the game then just as her bother's game was getting started; she scored a goal!!!  I was so proud of her.  Ryan's team didn't do so well.  They are the #7 team in the league that was facing the #1 team in the league....it took two hours to play the first inning and the score was like 30 - 1 before it was over.  Then, they were back on the field AGAIN to get another beating.  The other team scored 5 more runs and FINALLY the boys got to bat again.  In the 3rd inning they managed to score 6 more runs to help make it not so bad.  Of course, the game was over....but they fought hard!!!  Ryan caught for the entire first inning (the 2 hour long inning) then he played short stop until the end.......  anyway...

 

On Mother's day, around 8:30am, here comes my little girl.  She approached the door and peeked in to see if I was awake.  She saw me look at her and came bouncing in with a big smile on her face, "Happy Mothers Day, Mom".  She held out a very cute card she mae and a pin.  She explained to me how she kept it hidden in her nightstand and how a teacher gave them the pins to give.  She was all cute, dressed for Sunday school with Granny and smiling with sunburnt red cheeks.  I couldn't help but forget my head, that still ached, and wrap my arms around her.

 

I finally forced myself to climb from bed, took a quick shower and saw them off to Sunday school.  My DH was deep in reading on the internet and I plopped down beside him.  We talked about the plans for the day.  I had to be at work around 2...depending on when my new assistant would make it in.  We talked about his research....he was looking at digital SLR cameras.  I had been wanting one for a while; but with the new house, furniture, car repairs and working, I really didn't see spending the money. He insisted that I was going to get one; he just wanted to research it and get me one that would be what I wanted (and needed).  I have a nice Sony camera that uses mini CDs; but here lately, I've noticed the quality of the photos are horrible.  The CDs have been formatted so many times that images no longer look as good.  I cannot find anymore CDs that won't kill me in shipping.  This day and age, I knew he was right, I needed a better one that took memory card media that has been proven to not break down like CDs.  I take a LOT of photos and being a scrapbooker; I have to have SOMETHING to take pictures so I can scrap them!!!  But, I didn't see spending nearly $600+/- when there were so many more things I could use that money on.  Heck...we have 1/2 the hobby room to go.

 

We contiued our day, visiting his mom/dad along with two of his three brothers.  Kids played and we all ate then I had to leave for work.  I worked until about 5:30...at which time I was advised my mother-in-law and father-in-law were at the house dropping off my rose bush we had managed to save from the home in Lexington.  She was determined to have it in the ground at OUR house for me to enjoy this year.  I rushed home only to find they had already planted it and were on their way back home.

 

At the end of the day; it was just another day for me.  Ryan did tell me Happy Mother's Day with a kiss and hug.

 

On Monday (yesterday), I went to work as usual.  Left a little early so I could run an errand or two then got the kids and went home.  We had baseball practice a 6 so I made sure the kids had rested a little after school and before practice.  Kaitlyn as taking her soccer ball so she and dad could practice.  Dad called about the time we were leaving, said, "I'll just meet you at the field".  As I was walking out the door, I called him to ask him if he'd go by and get some pictures I had developed.  It was then that I learned he was purchasing that camera.  He was needing me to look up some information on a zoom lens they had on sale; so off I went to research it.  When he arrived at the park; he smiled as he gave me the camera and I certainly gave him a kiss for it.  He said, "you deserve it and you need it".  I felt differently; but I was most greatful that he got it.  I ripped into it and sat at the picnic tables reading and playing with it.

 

It's really a neat camera!!  It's a Nikon D40 Digital SLR.  He didn't get the extra lens; but we are going to go for that soon.  I take a LOT of photos of the kids playing sports and often times, I cannot get close to them so I'll need that bigger zoom capability soon.  For now, I'm enjoying the ability to take photos that look down right awesome!!! It's amazing what you can catch at 2fps!!!!

 

I haven't gotten to play with it anymore.  I ran the battery down last night; then today, I've dropped the kids at school and finished my house cleaning chores.  Did a few "over the top" cleaning things like, wiped down the washer and dryer.  Hey, we pass them every day and they were dusty and yucky!!  I emptied three more boxes of kitchen things that actually went into the dining room hutch.  I vacuumed the couch, straightened up the mantle, that was covered in movies and Wii games, I cleaned the master vanity and jacuzzi tub (I need a cover for that thing!!)  I wiped down the kitchen table and counters, refilled the windex bottle (my new weapon of choice in cleaning) and I sat down here to blog.  This house is awful quiet.  I am sitting in the craft/hobby room and I can hear the wind picking up.  The dog is restless.  He hates the vacuum...when I drag the hose out and plug it into the wall; he runs!!  I dunno why?  It's motor is in the garage and it makes very little noise inside, yet he runs.  I really like having that central vac system....I can get my entire home done without any back pain!  That is about 2026 sq feet of carpet, ceramic tile and wood floors that I can do without back pain!! HOW AWESOME is that?!?!  Well, I'll close the blog now...I have about 3 hours before kids will be home and I am SURE there's laundry to wash, dry and fold!!!

 

I will post some new photos with the new camera soon.....until then.... HAPPY BE-LATED MOTHER'S DAY to any and all mom's...I hope you had a good one and remember, it's really mother's day EVERYDAY!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OK...so I'm not doing a great job keeping this blog *ALIVE*.  I apologize!!!  But; in my defense...we are living life in the fast lane these days!! WHEW!!  Where did April go??

 

The two new photo albums I JUST added will show you a smidgen of what we've been consumed with... SOCCER & BASEBALL!!!  Both kids are having a great season.  This is Kaitlyn's first year at soccer...and she shows NO FEAR. She loves to play goalie...and has gotten very good at it. She and her dad work on moves in the front yard...and YES...she listens.  She falls on the ball and only a few get by her.  When she plays defense...she's running like lightening and she cares not that her opponent might be a boy.  Her dad just loves to watch her...and even though I know very little about soccer...I have to admit it is fun!  She has the drive and spirit for this game.  Eventually, I will learn more so I can REALLY appreciate her success.

 

Now... Ryan...he's having an AWESOME season.  He's the starting (and sometimes only) catcher for his Little League Minor team.  His skills have certainly gotten better; be it age, new league or all these years finally showing off...he has few mistakes.  As a lefty who catches...finding a coach that would have him was hard.  He's had very little infield experience.  What is even more awesome....he's always been a switch hitter but again, coaches in the past wouldn't work on that....UNTIL NOW!! He managed to get an RBI once when he switch hit!!!  He was smiling so big!!  Yesterday's game....he hit it over the 1st baseman's head into right field (hitting left) and drove in two runs!!!  Talk about a smile on a kids' face!!!!  Then...he wanted to get a play at homeplate so bad....and yesterday...HE DID IT!!!  An over throw to the pitcher resulted in an attempted steal of home... Ryan screamed at them to get him the ball.  The pitcher recovered the ball and OUT!!! Ryan dove into the runner...showing NO fear.  Where''s that coach that said he's too little to protect the plate!?!?!?

 

Well..it's off to school we go!  Gotta get back to work around the house, make a few calls and enjoy a day in OUR home!!!!

 

Until next time....