My desire to not lose

...and at the risk of getting backlash for sounding like a poor sport Mother...

During my 8 year old's last baseball game (which was the first in their playoffs - yes they have playoffs in little league) I realized that my desire to have the team win was so intense, that I had to take a step back and have a momentary self check.

I started wondering why did I feel so intense about winning?

I think it has something to do with the fact that I was pretty pathetic physically and academically growing up, I never "won" at anything. Self rant can be read here.

I want so much to finally feel a win through my kids (who did not inherit my muddled academic brain and clumsy physical ability, thank you Good Lord above for small miracles). I know that's selfish of me.

I never played any sport growing up - soccer, baseball, etc - I was too scared of the ball hitting me. In dodge ball at school, I'd be targeted by the bigger stronger boys and damn those balls hurt when contact is made with your bare skin. And in gym when we'd line up for team picking for any sport, I'd ALWAYS be picked last.

I didn't have sport trophies lining my bedroom shelves. I was given a yellow ribbon for "Good Effort" at each school Sports Day. Try wearing that during Sports Day while everyone else has their Red first place and Blue second place ribbons littering their t-shirts.

Academically, I'd work my ass off to earn a "C" grade in many subjects. I distinctly remember my grade 6 math teacher Mr. Martin giving me a passing grade for good effort. I seem to remember getting a 51% 'good effort' mark in Grade 10 History.

So yeah I want my boys baseball teams to win. The frustration I feel is quite intense when there is a loss. I guess I want my boys to experience that 'winning feeling' that I've never felt when it comes to sports and academics.

And as for my academically inclined 12 year old (I have to Google half the stuff he's working on because I have no clue how to do it), I want him to feel good about his smarts and get good grades.
You know you're not smart when your grade sixer asks you a simple math question and you stand there with a stunned look on your face trying to understand what he just asked you (was that question in English?? Go ask your Dad).

*this post was written during a vent of frustration
**no dodge balls were hucked at children during the creation of this post
***for the record, I'm very proud of my kids

And The Best Part? The RELAY!!

This weekend was a very busy one for baseball. Saturday we had two practices for each of my boys. Sunday they each had a game. "E" my eldest was in the morning and unfortunately we forgot to bring the camera. So no pics. However, for "M" who's game was in the afternoon, we remembered the camera. Yay mom and dad.

"M" is in Farmball, one step up from T-Ball for grade two and three. He was ready for Farmball last year when he was in grade one T-Ball and was quite bored. So now that he gets to play real games in Farmball, he's on cloud nine. He's really quite good. Today his last position was pitcher and they were at the bottom of the 4th, last inning. The Stingers were already winning but the away team still had to get through batting line-up. "M" sealed the deal when at 2 strikes, the last batter hit the ball and "M" caught the airball smack in his mitt getting that last kid out. He was pretty puffed about it. 15-8 for the Stingers. Yay team!!

So although playing the game is awesome and the kids have a great time, the best part really is the relay the end. Each team lines up, one on home, the other on third and one kid from each team runs around the bases. First team to get all their guys back wins. And of course, the Stingers won (they're the fastest Farmball team in the league).

Here's "M" pumping his wheels:

He just took off from home plate. I think he needs a haircut. It's kinda flying in the breeze.

He's just rounded third and on his way home. Awesome pic, he's completely in the air.

So of course after the relay it's snack time. That's the second best part apparently too. I wish I was a kid again.

One, Two, Three strikes you're out...again!

(little league that is)

Similar to how the Canucks played game 4 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs 2011 against the Chicago Blackhawks, this is how the Bounty Bunters played a game against the Red Sox.

And therein lies the first problem. The opposing team had displayed proudly across the chests of their jerseys RED SOX. I'm not a huge baseball fan exactly. I love watching my boys play in their little league - it's very exciting - but I'm pretty sure that the Red Sox are a good team in the big leagues. As this was an inter-league game we have different uniforms. Our parents were glad that our team didn't have Bounty Bunters displayed across their chests - like really. (Our team's name was made up by the kids themselves...and they voted on it...and this is what they chose?! I can't help thinking of Bountiful when I hear the team name and all us moms are sister wives.)

And the coaches kept yelling out "c'mon Double Bs...", "we can do this Double Bs..." and of course it sounds like they're making some sort of boob reference. I decided to Google the words Bounty Bunter as an image and this is what I got:

Go figure??

To top it off, the other team had laid out on a fold up picnic table a feast - hot dogs, chips, pop (soda for you American folks). Now in Double A the "after game treats" end, I mean they are older now and this isn't T-Ball anymore. So the situation in my mind was kind of like this:

We're playing Survivor and this is one of those food challenges, the Red Sox are feasting on their grub and winning this game, while the Bounty Bunters are losing this game and as a result, starving and watching everyone else stuff their faces.

End score was 10 to 5 for the Red Sox obv. All kidding aside (AND I AM KIDDING, I'M NOT A POOR SPORT MOM), the boys played very well, they had a great time and I'm excited to watch another season of grade 5 and 6 boys baseball. It totally rocks.

Go Bounty Bunters, get your bat on!