Play Ball!!! Welcome to the 2015 Little League Season

We headed out to the ballpark this morning.  The temperature was a balmy 36 degrees.  Thankfully the sun was shining for the first time in a week and thankfully we wore our winter coats.

Luke moved up a level...he now plays for a AAA team. He is the second little guy from the left in the bottom row.  The only problem that I see is that this is the first year a score is keep for the games.  Today didn't turn out in our teams favor and Luke was pretty upset. 

Kim got a hit every time she was up to bat....she is a real little athlete.  

Luke practicing pitching with Mark.

Kimberly came in to pitch for her team....she was shaking to much from the below freezing windchill she was sent to the bench to retrieve her winter coat. 

She is a good little pitcher.

2015-Oneida Fire Department team

2015-Taco Bell team

partners forever

One of the cheering section participants

Warming up for pitching.

We packed a picnic and saved a bunch of money.  That concession stand is pricey when we are feeding 5 of us. 

Luke keeping his eye on the ball....

We may not of been happy with the final score, but it was a great start to the season.

Oneida All-Star Softball-2014

 We have had kids playing baseball or softball for the past 22 years when Patrick Jr. began playing t-ball.

That's a lot of ball games.

 Some years we have had 5 of 6 kids on 5 or 6 different teams.

 This year we had 4 kids playing of 4 different teams,

 and just when we thought everyone's season was over, Kimberly made the minor league softball all-star team.  Way to go, Kim!!!

 Lining up for the National Anthem.

 Kim had quite a large fan base for her first all-star game.

It makes me so happy that the big kids still come out and support the littles.

 Kimmy coming around to score.

 Kimberly played her first game against her best friend, Suzie!

(Suzie's team come out the winners this game)

Kimberly and her fans....Here's to many more years of ballgames!!

The Thrill of Victory and the Agony of Defeat

 This team, up here in this photo, came from last place in the league to playing for the league championship in the past three days.

 It was an amazing story of the underdog pulling together to battle forward.

 But alas, the championship was not to be had.

 It was a heartbreaking lose in the bottom of the sixth.

But be on guard, Oneida Little League Softball....we are going to gunning for first place next year!

What we did today

 We watched three ball games at three different locations and at just about the same time...the "just about" gave us time to drive the player for the proper field for warm ups!

Play Ball!! 2012

The 2012 baseball and softball season is in full swing.  It doesn't matter if the temperature was 20 degrees last night....the games go on!!  (and the fans freeze!)

Mark-12, is in his last year of little league, the majors.  Next year he moves up to play Babe Ruth ball.

It's amazing to see how far he has come over the last few years.

 Grace-10

This is Grace's first year playing on the major league softball team...she tried out and made the majors.

She will have 2 more years at this level.

Today, she got her first ever major league hit and drove in an RBI. 

 We do have a little work to do on Grace's swing, but she did get a hit!

Mark went 2-4 today with an RBI and a stolen base.  His defense on third  base was great.

Here's to a great season...may the snow stop soon and may the fans thaw out!

The First Annual Collins' Softball Game

Whoo hooo---welcome to the photo essay of the first annual Collins' family softball game.

Grandma and Aunt Mary welcome you.

This past Saturday was the first annual Collins' family softball game and picnic.

It was a great day, and would only have been better if the whole family was able to be there.

You were missed, folks!!

Following is a very, very photo heavy post of the day.

I happened to be the roving photographer, so I am posting here so that all the family can grab whatever photos they would like.

Uncle Jim and Maddie.

Maddie had the honor of being the youngest attendee of the day. Because of that fact, she was well smooched on.....

Some of the "apple" team.

Three of my own little apples.

What is this? Amy is a "green" team enemy.

Kimmy is ready to play ball.

Whoo hoo, Dana!!

Daddy and his sidekick....

Strike one, Grace.

Hey, how did this get in there? I was supposed to be taking the pictures.

(I did get a hit....but had a little runner...)

Uncle Andy giving Luke a few pointers.

Luke is a real slugger.

Tony has his work cut out for him, trying to keep Luke on first base. How dare an uncle would tag Grace out at homeplate.....she even slid into home....

I'm not sure about Laura's softball stance---but she does look real cute, and she did get a hit.

I think this is a pose!

Uncle Pat gave Johnny some batting pointers.

Uncle Tim pitching---tossing some heat to the babies....

Kimmy and Amy keeping out of the sun.....it was HOT!!!

No bunting allowed, Pat.

Poor sportmanship, Mike.

Keep your eye on the ball, Kim.

Uncle Tim looks on while Mark bats.

Monkey Grace

Batter up!!

Catherine

Andy

After Uncle Andy show him how to give the signals, Luke was full time catcher.

Elizabeth hits a long ball!

My little catcher

Annie tries her luck at pitching.

This doesn't look good.

That's a little bit high, Joanne.

It was a HOT day, but Gracie found a way to beat the heat.

Danny calls his shot......

He slams the ball into the outfield.....

He runs, as only Danny can....

He is determined to get home---which is quite a long ways to run....

and he is tagged out in an awesome collision at the plate.

That was one real brave uncle that got him out....

He did limp for the rest of the day....

Vinnie and Jim.

Tony and Luke

Luke

Annie and Catherine

Pat trying to organize the chaos of picture time.

Following the game, it was onto a picnic at Tim and Sue's house.

Thanks so much for all the work you did to have us all over.

Terry, Tim and Mike

Pat and his mom.

Still very HOT and very sunny.

Here's to next year.....to the second annual Collins' ballgame.