We are the Champions, my friends...

It's that time of year for the annual baseball report, and what a fun finale I get to share this year!  Joseph and Michael's team won the City League Championship!  This year was extra special because it was the first time that Joseph and Michael were able to play on the same team in the city league because it was a combined 13-15 year old division.  That sure made it easier for my husband and I to watch their games because we didn't have to divide and conquer by running back and forth between different fields to try to watch equal amounts of their games.  It was so fun to watch our boys play ball together and make great friendships with the other players, while growing in baseball skills and virtues at the same time.

When the season first began, Michael was a bit bummed because he was one of the smallest kids on the team (wow, there's a big difference between 13 year olds and post-puberty 14 and 15 year olds!) and the coach kept putting him in the outfield (whereas, he has played shortstop consistently for the past few years, and that's his favorite position).  But we told him to just be humble, have fun, and simply do his best.  Well, he did just that, and the coaches quickly noticed his skills and his positive attitude and moved him to the in-field!  He may have been the smallest one on the team, but he had the biggest heart for the game  :)  Joseph, too, had a great season and got to play his favorite positions: pitcher, catcher, and sometimes 2nd base or center field.  Joseph pitched great this year, rarely allowing a run to score.  He was unhappy with his inconsistent hitting performance during the season, but in the championship game he hit 3 huge hits to the outfield, which seemed to make up for everything earlier in the season :)  The night of the championship game, we invited the team and their families out to our house for a celebration party, and it was a wonderful way to thank the coaches and end the season with sincere gratitude to God.

Here is a recap of the boys' season in photos:

The 2016 City League Champions!!!

Michael shaking Coach Johnny's hand

Joseph receiving his trophy from Coach Johnny

Joseph with two of his best buddies (Cy and Chase)

Michael slugging the ball

Michael about to make a catch

Michael's face full of determination

Michael and Joseph warming up before a game

Joseph waiting for the pitch

Joseph about to make contact

Joseph hustling to first base

Joseph is always happy with a baseball in his hand :)

Joseph's pitching face :)

I was always impressed with how calm and composed Joseph was as a pitcher

Michael was blessed to be on two teams this year--the city league and a traveling team (called the Rebels) that one of our friends put together.  Michael loved the extra playing time!

Here is Michael sliding in to home base in a cloud of dust. 

(FYI: he was "safe") :)

Michael even got to pitch a few times on the Rebels team...

I love this action shot of Michael pitching! :) 

Our son Dominic also played baseball this year, and boy is he a great player!  He sure can hit the ball and pitch like a pro, but he struggled a bit this year with keeping a positive attitude when his team was losing or if he stuck out.  We hope he matures more by next year so that he can enjoy the game more and improve in the virtues of self-control and sportsmanship.  Here are some fun photos of his baseball season on team Pepsi:

What an awesome baseball season...  And now we get to move on to other fun summer activities, like fishing, mountain-biking, hiking, camping, visiting relatives, and so much more!  May God bless my family and yours with a fun-filled, grace-filled summer!!!