Big Hitter

As we mentioned before, this has been William's first year playing baseball, and after seriously thinking about it we decided to put him in the more difficult and competitive Pony League.  It was a tough call, especially as almost all of the boys on his team had already played for 6 seasons.  William had to go from never playing before to hitting a ball from a pitching machine shooting the balls out at 40-50 miles an hour. We knew it would be tough for him.  This was William's eighth game (6th that he played in since we missed 2 in Mexico) and he had yet to hit a ball.  It was hard to watch, and I knew he was doing the best he could, so we kept practicing.  Sometimes he would have 3 practices a week with extra practice at home on the side.  

And finally, he did it! 

We got the moment on camera that he finally got his bat on the ball.  We were all screaming and jumping up and down.  He even made it all the way to second base.  It was a big day for us all.

At the end of the game William received the game ball.  Coach Randall gave a long speech about how hard William had worked, even though this was his first time playing ball, and that he knew he was going to hit the ball that game.  

I think it meant a lot to William.

Coach signed it ""4-23-14 vs Tigers

GAMEBALL

Best hit of the game and your first hit EVER!"

"Keep working hard!!!"

-Coach Randall

I framed William's picture of him when he hit the ball, and put the ball in a baseball display case.  I hope that he looks at it and remembers that even though sometimes we feel behind, and that we might never catch up or achieve our goal, that if we continually work hard and try, big things will happen.  We are so very proud of your hard work William!