CHAMPIONS!
Aaron and Dylan played in the championship game tonight for Little League baseball. Aaron started out the game as catcher and Dylan on the bench. I know I'm just a mom, but one of their coaches is kind of a dork. Dylan sits a lot, but the one game he was actually allowed to come out and pitch - well he threw for four innings allowing no runs and striking out 8 batters. Not too shabby I'd say. Anyway, after the third inning Dylan came out and played right field. The score was still 0 to 0. Aaron struck out the first time at bat. The second time they hit him with a pitch and he got on base. He got all the way to third and then stranded. At the end of the fifth inning the other team scored a run. We had three up and three down. I was going crazy! At the top of the 6th inning our first batter struck out. Aaron was up again and it was full count when the pitcher hit him again. He got on base and stole to second. The next batter got a bunt and got on base, Aaron stole to third. The next batter got up and struck out. It's now 0 to 1 for the other team in the top of the sixth inning. There is a runner on second and Aaron on third. The next batter got up. He's a rookie which by itself is a lot of pressure. Add to that it's his first at bat in the game, but he's a good hitter so anything is possible. First pitch is a strike. Second pitch a ball, third pitch a strike. The ball goes slightly behind the catcher and Aaron starts in for home. The catcher throws to the third baseball who starts to run Aaron in. Aaron takes off slowly, watching the third baseman. The baseman throws the ball to home and Aaron sprints in for the plate. The throw is over the catcher's mitt and Aaron gets to the bag before he does. It's now 1 to 1!

We are now in the bottom of the sixth and the other team is up to bat. Our pitcher only has a few throws left before he's out of pitches. In this league they keep track of their pitches so an athlete doesn't throw too much and get hurt! It's also a way to keep things relatively even between teams. They have three batters up and three down. No scores! This means extra innings. It's the top of the seventh and we are at the bottom of the batting roster. No problem for these boys! One gets on the base, the next hits a single and puts the runner around to second. The third batter comes up and strikes out. The fourth comes up and hits two home! It's now 3 to 1. The next two batters strike out. It's not over though, we are the visiting team. Our pitcher only has 5 pitches left! He strikes out the first batter. The second batter hits a line drive to him and he throws him out. Now he is out of pitches! Our new pitcher comes in. Noah is a stud! He and Aaron are only a few months apart, but the size difference - well you can see for yourself. Noah gets on the mound and walks the first batter. The next batter hits an awesome hit to left field. He gets all the way to second base. The last batter gets up and Noah strikes him out! The boys won! They are the champions. It was awesome! They were soooo excited. And like tradition they jumped in the river. Weird. I am very proud of both boys.