My Kid's Got Game

Excuse me while I brag a bit (hey, I have waited years to be able to do this!).  M has this incredible, innate gift.  Regarding athletics, he is pretty good at just about everything.  He can throw like no other, he’s fast on his feet, and he can hit a golf ball almost as far as his ex-pro father.  Yeah, my kid’s got game.

We figured it out last year.  He played his first year in our town’s Rookie league.  He wasn’t the biggest on the team.  But, he was one of the best.  When he threw the baseball from 3^rd to 1^st, not only was it thrown FAST, but accurate too.  I mean, pinpoint accuracy here.  I wonder where this gift comes from.  Does it come from the days he spent in Ethiopia, throwing make-shift balls at tree trunks?  Or, is it simply a genetic gift, a gift that when continued to be nurtured, may turn into something great.  Really, really great.  Or quite possibly, it’s a combination of the two.

When he makes contact with the ball, he smacks it.  Downtown.  Main Street. baby. 

And believe it or not, it’s not just his mama talking.  He has been scouted.  Teachers are talking about him.  Kids are hailing him (I have heard kids chanting “all hail M” on more than one occasion).  We have been approached by parents & by coaches.  They are amazed.  They can’t believe that this is only his second year playing ball.

He went to his pre-season practice, when we decided to move him up a league, so he can play with his same-age peers.  The coach from the traveling team noticed him, and recruited him for pitching.  First day, first time on the mound, and they put him in as a closer.  And close, he did.  One walk and three strike-outs. 

The wonderful thing about this point in M’s career is that he is having FUN.  He has no idea what pressure he is under, because he doesn’t quite yet understand the game.  This past weekend, his team was leading by one run.  It was the bottom of the 6^th (they only play 6 innings in Minors), full count…..and he had to strike the batter out to finish out the game.  And that is exactly what he did.  Not sure how he does it, but he makes the kids swing.  He is fast, and accurate, and by golly…yup, I am going to say it again, my kid’s got game.

Following his big win (unbeknownst to him), another coach approached us to ask if he can be a part of the All Star team (this team will travel during the summer, including a tournament in the Cape), and then a different coach approached us to ask if he could play football in the fall.  I caved.  I never wanted my kid to play football.  But, he is good.  It makes him happy.  He struggles with school.  He doesn’t struggle with sports.

I know I am not alone here.  I know there are lots of children that are tremendous natural athletes.  It’s just that I am THAT proud, so please excuse me.

Yup, my kid’s got game.  And I’m a proud mama.