Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Doing my part... Baseball season is here for Little Tee


The crack of the bat.. has become music to my ears.. and I don't even like the game of baseball, yet I'm excited because my son is playing and learning how to be a baseball player. I think I may have been more excited than him when the season started. Why? Because I'm glad to see he has that something that will light a fire underneath his feet to get up and get out and do something physical... even though baseball has a lot of standing around, picking at the grass while you wait in anticipation of being in the mix of the ball in play. He's getting his opportunities to keep it physical.. the way dad likes it! 

Terry's triple in first game of the season

Wednesday April 11, 2012 opened the 2012 Parks and Recreation Bronco League (ages 11/12) season.. although the 1st Inning was a disaster for the Phillies (Lil Tee's team) 0-8 after one. They managed to get going in the bottom second and through the next few innings. The Phillies managed to make moves and score run after run to comeback and win it 15-10. Congrats to the Phillies! Win or lose, we as parents and coaches are doing our part of being excited, cheering them on and supporting the efforts put forth through the ups and downs of playing the game of baseball. We seem to have a good group of kids that do look to have been around the game a little bit so it looks like we're (Phillies) off to a much better start then last year when Lil Tee played for the same coach in the 9-10 year old league where they lost all but one game. So there was a lot of "...great effort guys!" and not a whole lot of talk about the win/ lose columns. 

I don't know much about the game of baseball beyond the basics, but doing what I can to learn the necessary to be an instrumental piece to the puzzle to help preach and teach what the coach is trying to get Lil Tee and his teammates to do. Oh yeah, did I mention I'm not even a fan of the game?.. too slow and boring, But! because Lil Tee has taken an interest in it beyond it being an outdoor physical activity. We've gone to the park on countless occasions during his off time and now that the season is here, we're still going to the park, just the 'two of us'. His team only meets once or twice in a week, which will definitely slow his learning curve for gaining the necessary tools to step it up when he's playing in a more intense league... something we (his mother and I) are looking into. As the season neared.. the park we once had to ourselves everyday to throw, catch, bat, run the bases... is now the practice home for another league that is clearly much more advanced then Parks and Recreation.

As a father, a coach (in another sport), it's in me to want to learn the necessary to do what I can to aid in my son's development. On his non-practice days we will still go to the park, and if there's a conflict of using the field, we'll throw outside the fence for awhile and sit and watch an ages 9-10 team that would put on a clinic against his 11-12 year old age Parks and Rec team... I'm dead serious! as I laugh... A CLINIC I tell ya!

Advanced League Play (ages 9-10) Lil Tee and I sat and watched


Today we got to the park and had the field for 30 minutes before an ages 11-12 group came out to practice... So we cleared the field and took a seat to watch... And yes, I'm taking notes and picking up on some great drills to do with the Phillies #1 Slugger/ RBI king/ 3rd Baseman/ Relief Pitcher ~> my handsome young prince Terry Reese III aka Lil Tee :-) 
-----------------------------------------------------------

Simply loving the journey I tread with my son... Doing my part to be an example, being supportive, and as I continue his growth in becoming his own man... I know that my influence will stay with him. So, I best be sure a lot of what he gets from me is to make him a better man, a better person than myself. Love that little guy.

A proud dad I be! And elated to be 'Doing My Part'. 
Let's go Lil Tee, Let's Go Phillies!


Terry first at bat of season. A single/ RBI.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

The Look

Priceless
'The Look'
In the Reese household, a priceless father and son moment was made today after we finished a day at the baseball park practicing on a tennis court. Why, the tennis courts? There was a team practice for another youth league team that seems to show up the same time lately when I take him over to this particular park we had no issues for months. Well, Lil man was suppose to practice yesterday with his team but practice was cancelled for the 3rd time (rain or a wet field from rain the prior day). So, it was a 3 person show, Lil Tee, his mom and myself making sure he's staying baseball ready. His team has had only 1 actual practice together and they will have their first game in 9 days. Shaking my head! I think the coach needs to be more resourceful and come up with alternatives in order to come together as one. That's another story... on to reason for this post!

After we left the park, we stopped by the closest grocery store to buy his mom some flowers... <~ teaching moment. She left before we did because she was hit by the ball thrown to her from Lil Tee. Although it was an accident, it shows concerns and the flowers serve as a cheer up and hope you're feeling better soon. We checked in on her, he gave her the flowers, said some kind words and gave her a hug. She smiled, and showed her appreciation for the thoughtfulness. We then left and had one more stop, that was to get gas and restock on water from Sam's Club.

The look in the picture is 'the look' my son had on his face when we walked into Sam's Club to get water and treat ourselves to 1 slice of pizza. Our treat for doing a much better job of eating well portioned meals, more fruits and veggies and his showing up as an athlete all week in all his workout challenges from baseball practice, running at the track, and the Energize program (3 times a week, this program meets to teach families how to eat better, grocery shop, exercise, etc).

If you haven't been to Sam's Club before (It's members only shop til you drop, bulk size products, etc.), at the entrance is someone waiting to check for your membership card and on this particular day. There was a young lady at the door who greeted us and after we walked passed her.. Little Tee, turned to me with 'the look' no words needed that said... "DAD! Did You See Her!!!" I'm in 100% agreement with his look and said, "She's very pretty." Little Tee, still with 'the look' on his face nodded his head in agreement and mumbled, "Uh huh!"

If you've read any of my previous post... you know I'm all about 'I'm a Man' who enjoys doing his man things.. Well, nothing makes a Manly Man more happy then knowing his seed, his handsome young prince shows an appreciation for a beautiful girl, young lady, WOMAN!

Priceless was the moment made when I could share with my son, the same appreciation with 'The Look'... no words needed! 

That's a ~Tiger Woods fist pump moment~ 

YES!!!
After quickly finding what I needed, I purchased and we made our way over to the snack bar and order our slice of pizza. We sat and ate, and before we left... there was a shifting of position of those standing at the entrance and exist. The pretty young lady is now at the exit. Too funny was 'the look' Lil Tee had when he noticed her standing there. Another teaching moment ~> We approached her with receipt in hand to have her check it off. She kindly greeted us and I replied appropriately but threw in the extra, "My son and I would like you to know.. we both think you're beautiful." She shared the biggest smile as she received the compliment in a well mannered way. 

Priceless was 'The Look' or shall I say 'The Grin' Little Tee had on his face as we left the store.