Baseball/Teeball - 2022 Season - Part 1

Last year of teeball for Kade! He was way more confident this year - and it helped having a better coach. Another year as a Dodger!

Brent opted to Assistant Coach for Brock's team this year - the Mets (with an occasional assistantship for Kade's).

Several times this season the boys' games overlapped. This particular day, Kade's game was at Penny Road Elementary and Brock's game was happening at Ritter Park. I helped out as first base coach and took the opportunity to get a picture of Kade up at bat!

My #9 (Kade) loved playing first base - he needs to be in the action!

Brock's team played several times at Lions Park near Cary High School. I wasn't a fan of that field - too close to the road and bad views for the visiting team's spectators. But I was finally able to see this new pitcher in action. The game before was almost a rainout, so not many kids showed up - Brock stepped in to pitch two innings, gave up one hit, walked one (hit him with the pitch) and struck out six. 

This is a video of Brock's game on May 5, 2022. He did okay - some throws were not going exactly where he wanted. I was so proud of him for getting up there in front of so many people to pitch! 

If memory serves me, I believe he was upset because he didn't do as well as he did the first time he pitched. Brent had a good talk with Brock on the way home how some days are going to be like that - but you have to do your best and keep a good attitude for your team. 

Papa came to watch too!

A few days later, another game for Kade at Penny Road Elementary. It was a night game and a bit cooler. 

We had some time after Kade's game and the three boys went out on the field for Brock to practice his pitches. 

Even Kade had a turn pitching - his throw got all the way to Brent at home plate! 

Durham Taekwondo Tournament

On April 30th, Kade attended his first national tournament, held locally at the Durham Marriott City Center. He was excited, but I don't think either I or Kade prepared very well for it. (We had just returned from Spring Break and were out of town for many of the workshops at our school).

The mainly yellow belts (6-7 year olds) were divided into a few rings. Kade's ring had 12 children - all competing in forms and sparring. 

As we watched other children get called up to compete, I could see he was getting more and more nervous. 

Kade is sitting down in this picture, still waiting his turn

Finally, it was Kade's turn.

Here's a video of Kade doing his form. He was very nervous - not his confident self. He's performed so much better in class than this. I was still so proud of him for finishing and not giving up!

After forms, he sparred. He has never done this in class before. He caught on quick, but didn't know what the judges were looking for or how he had to implement the moves.  I also had a very bad camera angle. 

They would spar back and forth and then the three judges would choose the winner. The girl won first, but Kade won the second round. They sparred for a third time to determine the winner, but ultimately the girl won and was able to move on to the next round (to spar with someone else). 

He was bummed no medal this tournament (only for 1st and 2nd place finishers), but he did get a shiny pin to add to his taekwondo gear bag! We will be more prepared next time!!