As everyone knows, Connor is a true slugger on the baseball team and has improved tremendously this season. He has enjoyed playing for the Pleasant Grove "Pirates" and has made some new friends. He has had his first experience with pitching in an organized baseball league, and has a great arm. His team, however, doesn't have the best record (2 - 8 shhhh!) and this has been frustrating.Connor always remains calm during games, and doesn't throw "fits" like some of the kids do (his Father and I both thank him for sparing us that) but after the game he'll review and critique how they did in a very calm, matter of fact way. Most of the time on the way home I hear comments from him such as this:
"If we could just get the players in the outfield to get their mitts on the ground."
or
"If some of the players would just pay attention to the coaches"
or
"if so-and-so just wouldn't cry when he strikes out"
I often find myself smiling inside while I listen to his insights and thoughts about how to get the other kids to be as interested and dedicated to winning as he is.
Well, at the city tournament on Tuesday, Connor approached me after his afternoon game with a man that I hadn't met before. The conversation went like this:
Hello, are you Connor's Mother? I'm the coach for the Pleasant Grove Yankees (who's record is much better than 2 and 8 if they're qualified to go to state) and I would like to draft your son for the state tournament this year. He's really good, I'd like to use him as my short-stop and back up pitcher. Your son is good. He's just on the wrong team."
These words were music to Connor's ears! He's excited. He'll start practicing with the Yankees when we return from our vacation.
Update: That night the Pirates played their final game (finishing their season at 3 and 10) and two more coaches apparently talked with Dave about drafting Connor to the Braves and one other team. Dave explained that Connor had already committed to playing for the Yankees. The coach of the Braves then inquired about whether or not Max had been picked by anyone (seeing Max sitting there on the bleachers, he told them he just turned 8 years old.) He then gave Dave information for Connor to get signed up for his football team this fall.
I think we have many more years of watching our boys excel in Sports. I'll keep you posted!
3 comments:
Congratulations Connor!
Connor -- I told you that other coaches were going to be watching you and trying to draft you! What I didn't realize was that they would draft you for this year's state tournament -- I thought you'd have to wait until next year! Way to go -- keep up the good work and take good care of your body -- good food, exercise and plenty of rest -- no junk food!!!!
That is fantastic!
Way to go Con man!
Post a Comment