Celebrating the boys and girls of summer

by Buzz Anderson

Three of my grandchildren play Little League, from T-Ball to Majors. Watching their games is near the top of life’s pleasures. The oldest is totally absorbed with baseball. He plays catcher and his favorite player is Buster Posey, which is surprising because Buster hasn’t played in a few years. I guess legends live on.

Attending the games brings me back to the times I played and later coached. Because of that, I’m able to give him pointers and teach him the nuances of the game. Fortunately, he listens to me, something his father had difficulty doing. (He was more of a surfer than a ball player.)

I will say that baseball has become a foundation for our relationship. We talk about certain plays, go over signs, and discuss the many details that go into being a successful player. After a game, we might break down how he played, always emphasizing the positives.

Of course, we play a lot of catch and whiffle ball! Sometimes I’ll take him and his brother to a high school game. On Sunday mornings, a friend of mine, Buddy Carrigan, who is a local baseball guru, runs a drop-in clinic where some of the best ball players in the county congregate. Since my grandson is only ten, he is in awe of the older kids, most of whom are destined to play at the collegiate level.

My one concern is that he will burn out on the game when he gets to be a teenager. Right now, he wants to play year-round, participating in baseball camps and travel ball. Baseball is difficult in that it incorporates a lot of failure into one’s success. Realizing that is probably the biggest hurdle in wanting to continue playing. I hope it works out for him. (And for me too!)

I don’t want to neglect my other grandkids. The middle one is a great player as well. He’s seven and can already throw the ball over the plate, field ground balls, and hit line drives. He might be better than his older brother. The youngest just finished T-Ball. She’s pretty fierce and knows which way to run around the bases. Her games are by far the most entertaining! Dog piles on the ball are a regular occurrence.