Andrew was lucky to be part of the Millcreek Allstar team this summer. It began the first week school was out and was busy, busy, busy for nearly 5 weeks. Every league we played against had 2, 3 or 4 Allstar teams for each age division but, for some reason our league only puts together 1. That is difficult because not as many get a chance and then each year the teams are less experienced than the competition. Each team in the Millcreek regular season play submitted a couple names for Allstars but, there weren't enough spots for all of them so we felt lucky when Andrew's was able to be part of it. The team was made up of 13 boys; I think 10 will enter 3rd grade while Andrew and 2 others will enter 2nd.
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Andrew's baseball strengths are that he is a contact hitter and made it on base nearly every time, and more than anyone else on his team (we know because Dave had to keep score and stats all season), he is a fast runner, he has a sharp mind and follows direction very well and makes smart choices. His weaknesses are that he is not very strong yet so he doesn't hit or throw as far as bigger or stronger boys. He started the Allstar season feeling a bit shy (he often enters a new situation like that) and quickly made friends helping him to became confident, vocal and to have lots of fun.
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I practiced catching and throwing with Andrew at home at least 4 times each week for an hour or so and he became very good at catching and increased his throwing accuracy and even distance a bit too. I got better too! The team practiced 4 or 5 times each week when they didn't have games and a when they did have games they'd squeeze a few practices in and of curse right before each game. Games would be 2 or 3 days in a row of night games in Bountiful and Farmington with a few double headers too. Dave was not a coach but, helped at each practice and sat in the dugout as score keeper each game. The girls and I did our best to make it through the hot games. It made me realize that I really love baseball and that comp baseball would be too much for our family.
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Up to bat
Swinging
Ready to run on first
Ready to run on third
Leaping a helmet to run home!
Another hit
Ready on 3rd again
Coming for home!
Andrew played in the outfield for the Allstar season which he really hadn't ever done before. Though he missed the action of the infield it was a good experience to learn and he did very well stopping the ball and getting it in where it needed to be. Andrew was smaller than most his teammates. Most of them must move on to kid-pitch next year while Andrew will stay in machine pitch for another season.
The team didn't have a lot of success but their improvement from the first to the last games was huge. The teams we played were often made up of boys playing comp super leagues all year long and we could definitely tell a difference. But, Andrew and his teammates had so much fun, win or lose. Andrew and a few others cried at the end of the last game, not because they'd lost but, because it was the last game.
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We felt like Andrew was lucky to be receiving great coaching and showed a lot of growth. One of the coaches said they felt like he was one of the most improved players. We felt proud of Andrew for continuing to be such a consistent hitter, for improving his fielding skills so much and for loving the experience.
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