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Showing posts with label baseball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baseball. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 04, 2014
Wordless Wednesday: Baseball for All
A big, heart-felt thank you to George Lawson, The Rotary Club of Healdsburg Sunrise, and the Wonder League, for bringing us all the joy of playing ball with others and having fun together, regardless of one's abilities.
For more images that tell a story, and to share some of yours,
visit Wordless Wednesday!
For more images that tell a story, and to share some of yours,
visit Wordless Wednesday!
Sunday, June 02, 2013
Wonder League Teams Up!
Yesterday was our last game of the 2013 season with the Healdsburg Wonder League. Even though we hot the hottest day of the year, we came out to play. Normally James just melts and we stay home. This game was different.
We started later in the day, about 3:30, and the game was in town at Healdsburg's Rec Park. Déjà vu -- we'd just been there last week at the end of the Future Farmers Country Fair's Twighlight Parade. Our guys got to hit the field after watching a thrilling game between the San Francisco Seals and the Healdsburg Prune Packers. What a lot of fun it was to see the big guys play right up close! There were some fast action going on out there.
I love the home team, just for the name, BTW. When I first remember coming to Healdsburg in the summer, the air was full of the smell of plums drying into prunes. As soon as we came off Fitch Mountain, we could smell their sweet fruity aroma, going into and all over town. The dried fruit would get packed up and sent out all over the country by truck and train. The trees were gorgeous with blossoms in the Spring.
Well, back to baseball ... James actually hit a pitch! He's been steadily batting Southpaw, and all his work with his APE teacher are paying off - he throws in a nice straight line, pretty much on target. I noticed he also stayed on the field more and did less wandering, but that could have been because of the iPad app I promised to download for him later. He did a great job running the bases too.
Big sister did much better at bat once she switched to a lighter one. She's really starting to get the hang of it now! Not so keen on playing the outfield, but the did leg it around the bases, even stealing home. Way to go, Girl!
The icing on the cake: the Prune Packers were the Buddies for the game. They did an awesome job, coaxing the kids to try for a better batting stance and hand positioning. Their pitcher braved our unevenly hitting kiddos and patiently pitched to each one until a hit was made. After the game, some players even hung out with us for our final BBQ and awards ceremony.
As we left, one player called out "See you next year!" I sure hope so. Thanks again to George and everyone who made our kids smile as they got their chance at bat and on the field. Baseball, the Wonder League, and the Prune Packers make a winning team.
We started later in the day, about 3:30, and the game was in town at Healdsburg's Rec Park. Déjà vu -- we'd just been there last week at the end of the Future Farmers Country Fair's Twighlight Parade. Our guys got to hit the field after watching a thrilling game between the San Francisco Seals and the Healdsburg Prune Packers. What a lot of fun it was to see the big guys play right up close! There were some fast action going on out there.
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| We did root, root, root for the Home Team! |
 |
| We were right by the dugout. |
Well, back to baseball ... James actually hit a pitch! He's been steadily batting Southpaw, and all his work with his APE teacher are paying off - he throws in a nice straight line, pretty much on target. I noticed he also stayed on the field more and did less wandering, but that could have been because of the iPad app I promised to download for him later. He did a great job running the bases too.
Big sister did much better at bat once she switched to a lighter one. She's really starting to get the hang of it now! Not so keen on playing the outfield, but the did leg it around the bases, even stealing home. Way to go, Girl!
The icing on the cake: the Prune Packers were the Buddies for the game. They did an awesome job, coaxing the kids to try for a better batting stance and hand positioning. Their pitcher braved our unevenly hitting kiddos and patiently pitched to each one until a hit was made. After the game, some players even hung out with us for our final BBQ and awards ceremony.
As we left, one player called out "See you next year!" I sure hope so. Thanks again to George and everyone who made our kids smile as they got their chance at bat and on the field. Baseball, the Wonder League, and the Prune Packers make a winning team.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
The Wonder League: Magic Lens
We had another great day playing ball up in Healdsburg with the Wonder League. The whole family got into it. Both kids played and cheered. James' Nana came and rooted for all the players, especially her two rookies. My husband and I whooped, clapped, and took pictures. He even helped sell t-shirts.
I turned on the Magic lens at the end of the game, and got a little arty:
We'll be doing it again next Saturday too!
I turned on the Magic lens at the end of the game, and got a little arty:
We'll be doing it again next Saturday too!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
NYE Countdown: 10PM
Oh my gosh, the Wonder League! You loved it so. Daddy took you to most of the games and was so proud of you! He loved to tell me stories about how cute you were and how fast you could run (and not only around the bases)! He told me how happy and proud you were to be playing baseball on a team. We were so lucky to find out about it and take part:
You figured out more how to block out noises that overwhelm you, like at a coffee shop or even on a submarine ride:
You still had a thing for hats, which was cute on our trip to Disneyland. You also did not get carsick on the long road trip to LA, San Luis Obispo, and back home. Proud of you, big guy!
You also started using your words to tell us more of things you like -- such as requesting the Buzz Lightyear etch-a-sketch as your souvenir from our Disneyland Resort trip. You kept on using it too, which again is a change from before.
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| Running with your Buddy to score at home plate. |
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| Your pictures. You still love looking at them. |
You figured out more how to block out noises that overwhelm you, like at a coffee shop or even on a submarine ride:
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| You loved to yell out "Hi, Darla!" and wave at her. |
You also started using your words to tell us more of things you like -- such as requesting the Buzz Lightyear etch-a-sketch as your souvenir from our Disneyland Resort trip. You kept on using it too, which again is a change from before.
Sunday, July 03, 2011
King of the Day!
...or, The Wonder League: Epilogue
The last weekend in June saw the Wonder League's (Rattlers') last game of their first season in Healdsburg. James has loved each and every game, so we all turned out to see him play. This was lucky because the team was short a few players, so siblings and cousins were welcomed on the field with open arms.
To call watching this "heartwarming" is a severe understatement.
James got his turn at the microphone to help "test-test-test!" and announce the first batter: himself. He squared up to the t-ball stand and whacked a good one. He looked at us to make sure we saw that and then ran gleefully to first base, his buddy (Healdsburg Sunrise Rotarians were on duty this week) at his side. He was having such a good time out there that he had to be reminded to advance the bases and tag the physical square on the ground with his foot. After he ran across home plate he jumped up and down, laughing and flapping both hands.
He yelled encouragement to his sister as she came up to bat. She's never played baseball before, or even wanted to try. The buddies and players helped her have a blast! She needed some help the first time or two around the bases, but then quickly caught on. She even swung at a few pitches while at-bat, which is is a remarkable testament to how this helped her self-confidence.
It was great to see that while James predictably became absorbed in patting the ground with his hands, he also chased after ground balls and knew to throw the ball back to the pitcher. As I watched him pounce on one ball, I broke into a big grin. How much fun he was having!
After the game was over, George, the league's organizer, announced there would be an awards lunch at the community center next door. James insisted on pulling the water coolers over to the hall:
After a great pizza lunch (with cookies and ice cream for dessert), the awards were handed out. George and the Rotarians really went all out to provide some thoughtful, exciting mementos. Each Rattlers player received a trophy, followed by framed photographs of the team and the individual player:
I have to tell you that the woman who took the photos all throughout the season did an amazing job! What did James think? After grinning big time, he hoisted his trophy and crowed "I am King of the Day!!!!!"
So thank you a zillion times, George, Healdsburg Rotarians, and all the Wonder League volunteers. You helped make our guy King of the Day and gave him memories that will last a life time.
If you are interesting in joining the Healdsburg Wonder League next year or interesting in volunteering, please call (707) 433-8477 or email HBWonderLeague@gmail.com. They are hoping to grow for next year!
The last weekend in June saw the Wonder League's (Rattlers') last game of their first season in Healdsburg. James has loved each and every game, so we all turned out to see him play. This was lucky because the team was short a few players, so siblings and cousins were welcomed on the field with open arms.
To call watching this "heartwarming" is a severe understatement.
James got his turn at the microphone to help "test-test-test!" and announce the first batter: himself. He squared up to the t-ball stand and whacked a good one. He looked at us to make sure we saw that and then ran gleefully to first base, his buddy (Healdsburg Sunrise Rotarians were on duty this week) at his side. He was having such a good time out there that he had to be reminded to advance the bases and tag the physical square on the ground with his foot. After he ran across home plate he jumped up and down, laughing and flapping both hands.
He yelled encouragement to his sister as she came up to bat. She's never played baseball before, or even wanted to try. The buddies and players helped her have a blast! She needed some help the first time or two around the bases, but then quickly caught on. She even swung at a few pitches while at-bat, which is is a remarkable testament to how this helped her self-confidence.
It was great to see that while James predictably became absorbed in patting the ground with his hands, he also chased after ground balls and knew to throw the ball back to the pitcher. As I watched him pounce on one ball, I broke into a big grin. How much fun he was having!
After the game was over, George, the league's organizer, announced there would be an awards lunch at the community center next door. James insisted on pulling the water coolers over to the hall:
After a great pizza lunch (with cookies and ice cream for dessert), the awards were handed out. George and the Rotarians really went all out to provide some thoughtful, exciting mementos. Each Rattlers player received a trophy, followed by framed photographs of the team and the individual player:
I have to tell you that the woman who took the photos all throughout the season did an amazing job! What did James think? After grinning big time, he hoisted his trophy and crowed "I am King of the Day!!!!!"
So thank you a zillion times, George, Healdsburg Rotarians, and all the Wonder League volunteers. You helped make our guy King of the Day and gave him memories that will last a life time.
If you are interesting in joining the Healdsburg Wonder League next year or interesting in volunteering, please call (707) 433-8477 or email HBWonderLeague@gmail.com. They are hoping to grow for next year!
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