SchwartzCentral: March 2009

After 3 weeks of practice, 3 times a week, we finally made it to Opening Day. The kids were so excited but none more than Jordan. She has loved going to practice and was super excited to finally get the opportunity to wear her uniform. She woke up Saturday (6:30 am) telling everyone..."We have a game today!" She could not wait to play,....unfortunately their game was not until 4:30 in the afternoon

Game 1 - Noon - Mets vs. Cardinals

This is the first time in 3 years he and Coach Steve have won their opener beating the Cardinals 17-16 in 6 innings. It was a great game with plenty of key hits and solid defense. Cole had a great game going 3 for 5 at the plate knocking in 4 runs. In the field he was amazing. He played, Shortstop, Pitcher and 1st Base and was key to stopping a Cardinals comeback in the 4th inning. He was on the receiving end of 2 RF to 1B plays that shut the Cards down. - It was a great way to start the season and was a lot of fun.

Game 2 - Marlins vs. Dodgers

When 4:30 rolled around, Jordan and Noah finally made their Shetland debut. In their games, they have to hit off a pitching machine which throws about 25 mph. Noah, "The Natural" ripped a double his first time up and the rest is and will be history. His hand-eye coordination and reflexes are incredible and I am sure it will just be a matter of time before someone tries to recruit him and can figure out how to get him onto a 7/8 yr old team.
He was awesome in the field and ended up 2 for 2 with a few runs scored.

Jordan started the game at 1st base and quickly made her mark. The first batter hit a grounder between the pitcher and 1st, she charged after the ball, scooped it up, ran and tagged 1st for the out. She ended the inning making 2 of the 3 outs.

Jordan's long anticipated and only at-bat came in the third inning. I could tell she was a little nervous and apprehensive but she quickly settled into the batters box, her Pink helmet shiny and new. She missed the first 3 pitches (you get 4) and on the 4th pitch, she laced the ball right down the 3rd base line into left field for a long single. I think it was one of the happiest moments in her life and something we will never forget. It was awesome!

When it was all said and done, she finally admitted to me, with some coaxing, that she was a little scared. She is so brave and we are so proud of her. She was the only girl on the field of 24 kids and without any hesitation, well a little, went out there and played hard. I'll never understand how she can balance being a ballet and tap dancer one day and a baseball player the next.

We can not express how proud we are of all of three of them. It was a good day and we hope the rest of the season will be as enjoyable. Here a are just a few from Opening Day - Stay tuned for pictures of Cole in the dreaded Orange Mets uniforms. Blah....