Sunday, January 24, 2010

Another Season


We signed Gabriel up for another season of baseball yesterday. Another. Season. Oy vey. Doing so is bittersweet, folks. Mama doesn't do so well with irate competitive parents...but oh, how my child loves to play baseball. And I really love watching him play, too. Playing makes him happy. He loves being out there with all of his friends. He has a blast. How could that not make me happy in return? :0)

We live in a small town. It's like the micro-mini of small towns. Baseball is HUGE here. Aside from a few churches, and an occasional Saturday night gospel sing-along at the train depot, baseball is all we have. I'm really not a competitive person, and I'm one of those lame-o moms whom competitive parents find extremely annoying....and I'm perfectly okay with that, by the way. :0) I simply want for my son to enjoy playing, while doing his best. Good sportsmanship included. He has his part down pat. Praise God. There's nothing like having another "baseball mom" come up to you to praise your child for being such a positive player. To say that I am proud of my son for his ability to show good sportsmanship would be an understatement.

Now, if only my ears would learn to tune out the screams of those who aren't as pleased because their young ones have not, to put it plainly, met their expectations. You know, not hitting or catching enough balls, not running fast enough, not screaming loud enough to distract the opposing teams, not listening well enough....When is enough enough, I wonder?

I was not tolerated too well by a parent when I told his/her child, "That's okay! You'll get it next time!". I was yelled at, and then that child was really yelled at for striking out. A first grader, folks. Seriously. How is that normal or okay? Me, oh my. It boggles my mind.

I may just have to exercise my right to bypass the bleachers and take my folding chair to the other side of the dugout to watch the games this season. :0) As hub's opted out of his usual assistant coach's position this season, I'll have a little more company on that deserted stretch of grass. It just may be a swell season after all. :0)

Relishing in His goodness...