Only once this spring did Shane have baseball and soccer games scheduled for the same day.
That day was now.
We squared off on the soccer field at 9 AM.
Shane played a lot more lethargically. He hung back on defense and walked around rather than attacking. One of the other kids, Johnathan, is a different level of speed and power than the other kids. Jonathan shouldered much of the workload.
For the first time in recent memory, there were enough players on our team we had to do substitutions.
The teal coach called the kids in to cheer during water breaks. I thought Shane might try to switch teams when her heard them chant, "Teal Tornadoes! Teal Tornadoes!"
Then again, he might not have noticed.
Shane's always been a head in the clouds kid, so historically I've yelled encouragement and directions. However, after yelling "Shoot!" the last game Shane has seemed to become hyper sensitive to me calling out unless it's right after something he's happy about.
There was a treat at the end of the game. The kids hadn't listened well as a whole at practice on Thursday. Coach Brian kept threat-bribed, "You won't get Krispy Kreme after the game if you don't listen!"
The coaches followed through on the bribe half. There were Krispy Kreme donuts and chocolate milk after the game!
They even brought a stack of the hats!
Shane and Samuel ended up hanging out together after the game. I wasn't in a huge hurry. Our next game was at 11:00 PM.
The boys introduced themselves to a family who brought their dogs to the next game.
They were sweet dogs. Sam was nervous around dogs when he visited our house, but he worked up the courage to pet these ones.
We headed over to the baseball diamond next. Team pictures were supposed to be at 10 AM, so we missed those. I brought the snack this time.
Our opponent this game was Jersey Mike's. That almost sounds like a real team name.
Shane is still using my glove. He must have left his at our first practice. I'm going to have to replace it.
The game is about to start and Shane says, "I have to go to the bathroom." We were on the far side of the far field. "And it's poop."
The good news: Shane's team was at bat and he second in the batting order.
Either he'd fail to hit, get out, or make his way around the bases. Then I'd have a window of time to jog him to the other side of the park.
Shane got a hit and made his way around to home. Then we ran!
"Dad! I'm tired!"
"Don't stop for that!" and I kept running.
We made it back before too many people had batted for the other team. Two different kids recognized Shane and called out on the way back. I spotted one of my wrestlers as we jogged by, too (to which I pointed and said, "I know you!").
Shane was assigned to 2nd base when he got on the field.
The coaches make a point of trying to focus the kids in the in-field. Here's a coach telling Shane to get in his ready stance.
A couple of at bats later, disaster struck. Shane was playing in the dirt and staring into space. A coach said, "Focus! Get ready!" There was a crack of the bat and Shane whipped his head around in time for a ball to roll right under/past him. He twirled around frantically and tried to reassess what was going on. By the time he got the ball, the runner had passed him and made it on base. Shane cried. A pair of coaches consoled him and told him to get his head back in the game. I didn't say anything from the sideline
The next play, Shane redeemed himself. He was paying attention, picked up the grounder, and ran to 2nd for the force out. That time I made sure to cheer!
We played two full innings. Shane got another base hit, made his way around, and then found himself in the outfield when it was his turn in the field. He was twirling and acting like something was chasing him at one point. Then he started crying. He stood straight up and started to bawl. The coach nearest to him looked confused, but I knew what was going on. "I think he got stung," I called out.
Sure enough, there was a little dot and red around it. I gave Shane a big hug and then tried to examine him. I don't think it was a bee sting. It started to look a little bit like a mosquito bite. The coach's wife had a first aid kit and put a little ointment on it. I took a picture to show Shane that it "was a lot smaller than it felt." Then we encouraged him to not let a bug stop him from finishing the last five minutes of the game.
It worked. Shane went back out and finished. He was hyper aware of every bug around him and had trouble focusing whenever one came near, but he made it through without further injury.
The kids got a pep talk at the end. So far, I've been impressed with all of the coaches on our team and the opposing teams. Everyone clearly wants the kids to do their best and to teach them, but they've all kept it positive, fun, and lighthearted.
The bug bite seemed to have vanished when I checked on Shane after he got his snack. I don't know what the Coach's wife used, but I want some! I wonder if it was a horsefly rather than a bee that got Shane.
Our third event of the day was to go out and visit Mommy, Nibs, and Armour at the barn. There were dogs!
I like dogs.
Even ones the size of miniature horses!
Of course, the barn is allergy central for me. All the horses are shedding their winter coats. Hair was flying off the back of the great dane as I gave him a scratch, too.
Shane quickly became more interested in the geese and ducks. He would have liked to have chased them, but I was watching (as was his mother and two other horse ladies).
One of the women gave Shane a bucket full of corn to feed the birds. Instead of throwing it to them, he dumped it all out on the shore line.
Shane's presence attracted a puppy.
The puppy got in Shane's way and infuriated him. thought the corn Shane's not used to an animal big enough that he can't boss around with ease. Shane tried to throw corn around Arlo and Arlo thought they were treats or part of a game. Shane got an accidental nip and started to holler while I laughed. No harm was done. "He bit me!" "No, that was an accidental nip. There's not even a mark. If he'd wanted to bite you, you'd have felt it."
We went home and showered to end our tripe-header. I was tired. I was also thrilled that the sunscreen had stayed effective the whole time we were out. Carried, the awesome wife she is, reminded me to put some on before we left. "Do I need any?" Shane asked. Nope.
Raheem knocked a little while later. He was bored and came inside to watch some Pokemon Sun and Moon with Shane. Only, Raheem wandered in circles and checked in with me instead of watching half the time. I tried to relax and play a game or two with my friend, John, to keep his mind off an upcoming interview and some other things. I kicked the boys outside when we were done.
Carrie came home later. We called it a night and rested from dinner on.
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