Seth finished up his little league season in early June. Thank goodness for mild June weather! Going into June I was beginning to question my sanity. I was 8 months pregnant, living in the middle of the Sonoran Desert, taking my son to baseball! Then low and behold we had very mild temps most of June! I joke that people could thank me for the mild weather, because it was God having mercy on the pregnant lady! No I am not one bit narcissistic! Seth had a great season. The first 3/4 (at least) of the season, he had a very hard time getting the hang at hitting the ball. Since he was doing machine pitch, we asked the coach to borrow the machine once and practiced with him at The Ranch (The Retirement Ranch that Tyler's family owns). This helped to built his confidence quite a bit.
It was also very encouraging to see how eager he was to practice. He seems to have really gained an appreciation for the value of practicing! This is also quite an accomplishment for him. I don't know how many times over the first part of his life I repeated the same mantra over and over again. "You can do it, it just takes practice." "No, you are not allowed to just quit, come back over here and just try." "Good!! See what happens when you practice? You did it!!" This season he would come home from striking out the entire game, only to beg Tyler to take him in the dark backyard to practice!
Before the first game the coach told all of the boys that if they want to catch they have to wear a cup. Mainly because the machine pitches out the balls pretty fast. Seth immediately had his heart set on catching. It was about the third game when Seth finally had his cup! (He wore the thing proudly around the house the first day we got it!) The first thing he told the coach is "I want to catch." The coach came to me and told me he would probably get hit (I think he might have recognized how impulsive he is, and may have been more concerned than he normally would. I am just guessing though.) I of course knew he would probably get hit, but isn't that what all of the equipment is for?? Also, knowing how excited he was I wasn't about to say no!
Well sure enough, the first time out there he got hit in the head by the bat! I was actually in the bathroom with Morgan when it happened. I was told he plopped to the ground. He got a little rattled, but the coach sat him back up, and by the time I got back he was still catching! After a few games, and quite a few minor injuries, I couldn't figure out why he was still so excited about catching! (Minor injuries such as forgetting to keep the non-gloved hand behind his back, therefore getting hit by the ball etc.) 
Then the reason came out! He said he felt like a knight with all of the equipment on, and the machine pitch was like a catapult. He liked the feeling of being shot at, but the equipment protected him. I think he felt brave squatting there behind home base! ha! I think catching really made up for all of the times he struck out. It gave him a sense of purpose and belonging on the team. I immediately saw the blessing in his position as catcher.
Towards the end of the season, Tyler got some great advice from their cook at the Ranch. He said to get a long rope and attach it to the ball (Tyler used duct tape). Then swing the ball around his his body and have Seth swing at it. It really helped! The ball stayed at an even plane, and it helped Seth a ton with his timing! The last couple of games Seth got more hits than strikes! It was a great way to end the season! I was really proud of Seth!
When he was striking out at the beginning, Seth looked so discouraged and hurt! Then I pointed out that many were striking out, and even pros strike out. I saw a renewed spark. Being a catcher really gave him a sense of pride. Then finally getting the hang of batting brought it all together. He ended the season holding his head high, and completely jazzed!
