This is what the boys have been working hard for all Winter, and it is what, us, parents wait for all year!!! Although it is not the Opening Game, it is the first real game for this team.
The Giants had an exhibition game today against the Majors. The game was being played at Sunnydale Acres Park, which just happens to be one "baseball throw" away from our house. Aaron played on this field when he was with Rexdale Renegades Select. It had been raining, heavily at times, for the past couple days, so Aaron had the task of checking the field this morning to make sure it was dry, and playable.
The game was scheduled for 1:00 p.m., but the boys had a mandatory 1 hour practice just before. I got to the field just around 1:00 p.m., but the Majors didn't have all their players, and someone went home to get the bases, so the game didn't get started until 2:10 p.m.
Earlier in the morning I ran into Coach Mike, Aaron's coach from the Rexdale Renegades. When I told him Aaron was playing today and that he would be pitching the first 2 innings of the game, he said - "I think I will be able to make it there", and surely enough, he showed up to watch the game. Coach Mike, most definitely, has been one of the best coaches Aaron has had so far. Aaron was on his team when he was just learning to pitch and Coach Mike tried, effortlessly, to discourage him from throwing side-arm. He was always worried Aaron, who was only 10 or 11 years old at the time, would have an injury. Eventually, he gave up and encouraged Aaron to just throw however he felt comfortable.
The Giants had an exhibition game today against the Majors. The game was being played at Sunnydale Acres Park, which just happens to be one "baseball throw" away from our house. Aaron played on this field when he was with Rexdale Renegades Select. It had been raining, heavily at times, for the past couple days, so Aaron had the task of checking the field this morning to make sure it was dry, and playable.
The game was scheduled for 1:00 p.m., but the boys had a mandatory 1 hour practice just before. I got to the field just around 1:00 p.m., but the Majors didn't have all their players, and someone went home to get the bases, so the game didn't get started until 2:10 p.m.
Earlier in the morning I ran into Coach Mike, Aaron's coach from the Rexdale Renegades. When I told him Aaron was playing today and that he would be pitching the first 2 innings of the game, he said - "I think I will be able to make it there", and surely enough, he showed up to watch the game. Coach Mike, most definitely, has been one of the best coaches Aaron has had so far. Aaron was on his team when he was just learning to pitch and Coach Mike tried, effortlessly, to discourage him from throwing side-arm. He was always worried Aaron, who was only 10 or 11 years old at the time, would have an injury. Eventually, he gave up and encouraged Aaron to just throw however he felt comfortable.
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| Aaron and Coach Mike... |
The game begins and the Giants, being the home team, take the field. Aaron grabs a ball and heads over to the mound. The first batter fouls a couple before striking out; the second strikes out after 3 or 4 pitches; the third walks after Aaron hits him with a pitch; and the fourth hits but is thrown out at first...and just like that the inning is over before any runs can be scored!
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| You All Ready For This??? |
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| Give him a ball and send him to the mound... |
Bottom of the first and Aaron is first in the line-up. He goes up to the plate and after 2 straight strikes, he fouls one past third base. Then he hits one which landed right in front of him...and the Majors couldn't get it in time to throw him out...and he's safe on first. He wastes no time in stealing second. The Giants get one more on base and then the next batter hits and the Majors gets a double play. Aaron advances to third. Another one gets on base and then the final batter hits but is thrown out at first...leaving Aaron going home!
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| Wasting no time..,heading to second! |
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| Always looking for a chance to move... |
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| Run doesn't count! |
Aaron heads back to the mound for the top of the second. The first batter hits but is thrown out at first; the second hits one in the outfield and is safe on second; the third is out at first; and the fourth batter is still at the plate, when the runner tries to steal and is thrown out at second. It's another scoreless inning for the Majors, as Aaron walks off the mound and is done pitching in this game...
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| The passion behind those pitches... |
Bottom of the second was a quick inning as the Giants didn't get anyone on base.
Aaron remained in the dugout for the top of the third. It was still a scoreless game at the end of the third inning.
Aaron remained in the dugout for the top of the third. It was still a scoreless game at the end of the third inning.
Top of the fourth...two already out and the bases are loaded. The Giants' pitcher is struggling and time is called to change him. One run, the first run in this game, is walked in and the bases are still loaded. The next batter strikes out to end the inning before any more damage could be done!
Bottom of the fourth, Aaron goes up and strikes out on a full count. The Giants cashed in 2 runs before the inning ended.
Aaron is sent out to cover second in the top of the fifth, and he takes a nice catch after tracking the ball, losing his hat in the process. The Majors didn't score.
The Giants didn't get any runs in the bottom of the fifth.
The Majors tied the game in the top of the sixth, and then the Giants scored 3 more to take back the lead. Aaron fouled a few before he got caught looking at the third strike!
Aaron took another nice catch in the top of the seventh. The Majors couldn't get any more runs and the game was supposed to be over but they still allowed the Giants to bat, even thought the score was 5-2! The boys added another run to finish the game with a final score of 6-2...
Way to go Giants. If this is an indication of what the regular games will be like, we have another great Season to look forward too!
Mommy Still Loves Baseball....
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