Our Boys of Summer

The Campbell boys' favorite season is upon us - baseball. Something happened to my boys while Abby and I were gone and they must have had too much exposure to the sport in my absence. Many mornings, the first thing out of Noah's mouth - before his eyes are completely open - is, "Who won the Royals' game last night?" He asks about the game frequently throughout the evening. I'm not sure if it is because he actually cares about the game - or if he just wants an excuse for dad to bring out his iTouch. Either way, they are all enjoying it. And our yard ball games have changed a little, too, as now we have to go by names like "Alex Gordon", "Billy Butler", or, Benjamin's favorite, "Jarrod Dyson". And what could be better than Royals baseball? Well, playing in your own game, of course! Or at least suiting up and sitting in the dugout for your own game, as the case may be...He was a really good sport and loved cheering on his teammates.

I feel so bad for the poor kid. He formed the team all by himself - he made a list of his friends, got out the school directory and called them all and invited them to HIS team. Now he just has to watch from the sidelines. He has appointed himself "bat boy", though and is enjoying that. Right now there are two games scheduled for after he gets his cast off. We are hoping his restrictions are not so great that he doesn't get to play in any games this season. And he'll still have a good excuse to be at all the games since his daddy is coaching.

And then there is BumBum. Was he happy to have his first game? See for yourself.

Playing a little catch with daddy before the big game.

This is where most of his team stood for the game.

Well, most of them stood. Waiting for the entire other team to bat can be soooooo boring....Soon enough it was his turn to bat. His first official at-bat:

He also got to catch! Here's daddy giving him a little pep talk.

He made it three-fourths of the inning...

Then he just came and sat with me until it was his turn to bat again. All-in-all, he had a great first game and cannot wait to do it again!