Kyle Plays Softball

Kyle is playing softball with the City of Redmond, Adaptive Recreation program.... this is the first year that we've been aware of the program and so far HE LOVES IT! They play every Tuesday and Thursday. Everyone hits....and they play two innings. There are about 30 individuals with disabilities and about 10 - 15 "typical" coaches. It is a hoot to watch! You never know what's going to come out of their mouths. One of the first nights, a young man, Aaron, was up to bat. The pitcher, Shawn (a coach) said, "Aaron, Aaron, eyes on me -- I'm going to pitch the ball."

Aaron ignored him, found his mom in the stands and called out, "Mom, eyes on me. Eyes on me Mom." Then he had a great hit.

Papa was here for the games last week, July 7th & 9th. He was teasing Kyle that he couldn't get the mitt off his hand....Kyle worked at it for a good long minute and then when he got it off -- Papa wailed, and Kyle was immediately contrite and gave him a hug to make it all better.
The games are played at Hartman Park in Redmond, Washington.
Kyle waiting for "Mr. R" -- Russell Rogers -- who is one of the coaches and doubles as an aide in Kyle's classroom at school during the school year. Kyle adores Mr. R and wouldn't come to the field until he got there.Warming up -- to warm up they throw the ball back and forth and then they do a few stretches....and the GAME BEGINS!

Games are played on field # 6
The batting helmet is too big for Kyle and slides down over his eyes -- Shawn is always telling him to push his helmet back so he can see to bat -- then as he runs to the base, the helment slides down again.....between pulling up his pants (uniform pants --not in this photo) and pushing up his helmet he's a sight to behold.

Kyle gets very solid and good hits.....his problem comes in running the bases -- it doesn't seem to matter how hard he runs or pumps his arms....it's like he's running in molasses and the harder he runs the longer it takes.....it's so funny to watch.
Running to second baseMade it! Aaron (in the green jersey to Kyle's right) was jumping up and down cheering Kyle on, while he waited for the ball to come to him to try to get Kyle out.

Waving from third base.
Playing in the outfield -- between first and second base.
He was so proud the ball was hit to him .... he fielded it and threw to first base.Great stance.....it's so interesting to watch the stances in the field, and the warm up and batting rituals of each individual, some are very elaborate -- almost to a "delay of game" call.....but all taken seriously and afforded dignity to the individual.

Tuesday, 14 July 2009

Softball tonight as usual......Kyle's second turn at bat. His hit was solid grounder right past the pitcher. He made a good run to first base. With the hit from the next batter, he went to second. The third batter hit the ball deep into center field, Kyle ran to third and they waved him on home.....he ran for all he was worth (no ball in sight....it was still being fielded).....he got within 2 feet of home plate and threw himself onto the ground.....in a psuedo-slide -- Derek said it was more like a belly-flop.......arms outstretched, head first, and came to a stop EVEN with home plate, but a foot in front of the point on home plate and nowhere near touching the base. Everyone stopped, unable to believe what they'd just seen.....Kyle jumped up, stomped on home plate and "high-5'd" everyone on the way to the dugout....amidst many cheers from the recovering crowd. I thought most of the coaches were gonna faint from laughing so hard. It was GREAT and he was so proud of himself.