April 14, 2008 Second Pitching Machine Game

Hayden had his second pitching machine game of the season last night.  He had a big time.  We were a bit worried because it started late and it was a school night.  But Hayden did well and went to bed after we got home and got a bath.  (And on top of that he did not pull a card at school today)  Hayden hit a double and struck out once.  (I am sure he did not want that told).  I told him even his heroes strike out from time to time.  That did not help.  Mom does not know what to say always.  He played first and short and loved that.  Harold and I got tickled before the game started because Hayden got all his little teammates out on the field, he got on first and started rolling the ball to each of them to field and throw back to him.  (I think the child has seen too much baseball - ha)  Enjoy the photos

As we were leaving last night, the umpire was walking out and Hayden went to tell him Thank you for being there.  (We have been encouraging him to always thank the coaches out there because they are using their time to be there for the kids so he wanted to thank the ump too).  While he was talking to him, Hayden told the young man that if he were a Travs umpire he would have to be blind because they never look or see what really happens.  Yikes!!  Because he seemed to be a good sport, he told Hayden well sometimes we do close our eyes. 

Hope everyone's week is going well  -- love to all of you

aoljpictureUpload, aoljpictureUpload_3

April 7, 2008 First Pitching Machine Game

Hayden had his first pitching machine game this season on Monday night.  He was really worried about it because he thought that his team might get beat really bad.  It was not that bad.  They did lose but the score was 6 -4.  (Hayden thinks it was 6 -5 and we just go with that).  He scored 2 of the runs his team scored.  He got on base both times he batted.  (They have a time limit on the instructional league games so they only get to bat a few times)  He played shortstop.  That position is not his position of choice but he did well.  The first inning he had a tough time not going after the third baseman's plays too but he got better after that.  He got a single first at bat.  The second time he got an infield single but then there were two throwing errors and he made it to third with some pretty serious base running.  (He says it was a triple and when you are six why should anyone disagree.  We go with it and it makes him smile a lot.)  Enjoy the photos!

1st at bat.  Can you tell he really thinks he is as big as "his" ballplayers?  He mimics all their moves.

Taking off for 1st base

Waiting to take off running....would really love to try to steal but they don't allow that in instructional league

Waiting to go back in the field.  (the blue is growing on me)

In the ready position.... Hayden did not get his favorite number this year.  "8" was on a large jersey and well he is not that big yet......

Going after the ball....

More as the season continues..............

Hayden has standardized tests at school tomorrow so we are off to bath, bedtime stories and bed.............

 

 

aoljpictureUpload, aoljpictureUpload_6

Racing Shelley at Travs Game

Hayden raced the mascot at the Travs game today.  He just loves getting out on the baseball field even if it is just for the mascot race.  It just makes him that much closer to his ballplayers.  :-)  Ryan's girlfriend sat with Hayden today.  My goodness he talked her ear off.  Thanks for being so patient Kate!

Check out how this kid has grown since the first time he raced Shelley

 He is sooo little!

 He was legging it out even then....

 Getting a bit of a head start at the last Travs game at Ray Winder field

 Closing in on the finish line

 Stretching it out before the big race today

 Coming into third

Crossing the finish line

 Hanging out with Kate after the big race.......

 

aoljpictureUpload, aoljpictureUpload_8

2008 Rangers Team Photos

This morning was the day for Rangers team photos.  It was wet and soggy but the boys all looked very handsome in their blue.  (Of course, I will always be partial to Hayden wearing red.  It just did not seem the same today).  We are hopeful that the boys who have never played baseball will decide to take it seriously (at least a little bit) and have fun while developing their skills. 

Our Handsome Fella waiting to have his photo taken

Doesn't look right does it?

My guys sure are handsome in their blue though.......

2008 Rangers BPAA Instructional League Team

 

aoljpictureUpload, aoljpictureUpload_5

Travs 2008 Season Has Started

Well the Travs 2008 season has begun.  As you can imagine Hayden is thrilled.  This is his 6th season as a season ticket holder.  When we first started taking him, he was 20 months old.  Now he is 4 months from 7!  He is still so into the ballgames and "his" ballplayers.  We were unable to go to the home opener becasue Hayden had baseball practice himself but we did go to the Exhibition game on Tuesday night.  (Had to leave early because it was a school night.  Let me tell you that does not make our little guy happy.  "The Travs need him there cheering for them". 

Hayden waiting on "his" ballplayers.  (Notice the open gate?  Who do you think opened it?  See the other little kid in the background?  Not a chance of getting to the ballplayers first.  :-) )

Hayden and Ryan

Now let's take a little trip down memory lane with Hayden and the ballplayers with whom he has attached himself.  As he will explain to you they are his heros, friends and brothers.  (Keep in mind that we did not have a digital camera when we first started going to see the guys play so many of the earliest ones will not be here until Mommie can make time to scan the photos on here.  You will still get a great idea of how much this kid has grown)

Hayden and Junior Zamora.  Junior played with the Travs the first couple of seasons when we started going.  Hayden thought he was great so when he started playing for the Hooks, we had to go get photos too.  This photo was on Junior's birthday at a game at Ray Winder.

Hayden and Brent playing catch at a Kid's Day Clinic at Ray Winder.  Goodness look how small our little fella is!

Hayden telling Brandon all about it.  (Yes, the kid likes to talk!)

Waiting on ballplayers before a game at Ray Winder in 2006!

Hayden and Tim.  Tim was Hayden's first ever pitcher hero.  We even had to get Hayden red "Bittner" shoes to play baseball that year.

 Enjoying Easter Sunday at the park.

Hayden and Uncle Mike cheering for the Travs as they come on the field.

Hayden and Dallas at Hayden's very first major league game.  How excited was my kid?  Heros and major league baseball all in one place.....

Hayden and Tommy at the very same major league game.  Oh what a day....

Hayden and Bobby at last game at Ray Winder Field.

Hayden and Miguel. 

Hayden and Greg

Hayden and Bobby.  They were both freezing.  It was so cold at the home opener at the new stadium in 2007.

Well more to come later, the sleeping bear has gotten up and being on the computer on a Saturday "when you could be playing with your kid" is just not acceptable!

 

 

aoljpictureUpload, aoljpictureUpload_16