We Heart Little League

Is this not the cutest little baseball player you have ever seen?

I'm quite sure he is the cutest one I have seen. 

Oh, the emotions that accompany these photos for me. 

 

This one was on opening day, after the opening day parade. I was so proud of him. 

It was freezing outside, and we had to walk for multiple blocks, but he did it. With his team. 

He was part of the group. I cried. Not going to lie. 

For those of you who know us well, you know about our little Ronan.
I won't post the details on here, but essentially- his current listening/understanding and patience/turn taking skills were not quite where they needed to be in order for him to properly enjoy being on a regular sports team right now.

Enter Little League. An amazing organization.
Little League has Challenger teams set up throughout the country for children with any delays, handicaps or other special concerns to be able to enjoy America's pastime!

We are a sports loving family. Noah loves them all. We have three boys.
Playing team sports is something we strongly feel is an important
 life skills builder for anyone involved. And, it can be so much fun on top of that!
Sports are an onion of life skills.
Ronan may not quite be ready to reach the inner levels of that onion quite yet;
but we wanted to make sure that he got the opportunity to get whatever he could.
We wanted to make sure that he at least got the opportunity to play,
to have a uniform, to be part of a team.
Living overseas, children with any delays and differences can be a gamble.
You have to find just the right fit. We didn't know what the opportunities for sports would be once we moved back overseas; so we made sure to jump on the opportunity when we had it!

They were so fantastic. The volunteer coaches, and all the Majors teams who
came to play an extra game every week,
rotating through and giving our little ones a real experience!
Little League took such good care of us all.
They had the same uniforms and equipment, same fields as the other teams.
Just had a little more support.
It was so much more emotional of a season than I thought it would be for me.
In a great way. Of course there were hard moments of frustration, but I cried nearly every week watching these little guys do their best and be cheered on by everyone!
We are so grateful for the experience, and would recommend becoming involved to anyone.
Ronan still has a long way to go before he's a Major Leaguer,
but he really did grow and learn so much!

Also on opening day, these pics with our amazing little neighbor, and fellow Little Leaguer: Mr. J. 

Boy we love this kid. (And the rest of his family)! But I can honestly say, that little J was one of the only non-adult people in the last few years to make a true genuine connection with Ronan. There have been some wonderful people who also have, but mostly adults or his brothers. We are still really working on the making new friends things with others. J is a bit older than him, but he was so great with him! Ronan loved him, and really enjoyed being around him. That is huge praise indeed. 

J was in the Majors, and was so sweet to want to help him. We had to get a picture of our little baseball buddies. Of course my luck,  Ronan wasn't in the cooperating mood for a great picture, but still a good representation of them. Thanks for being so wonderful M family!!! 

Ronan preferred to sit on the bleachers than in the dugout sometimes during the games
 (or play in the grass behind them). But, who can blame him?
Sitting on the top of the bleachers is so fun for a little kid!

 Ronan and Coach Joe.

He was awesome! So good with the kids!

 Warming up

 Playing in the outfield

Patiently waiting his turn to hit. This was rare.

 Mostly not-so patiently waiting to hit was his style.

This is why we wanted him to play though. 

Team Sports are awesome for teaching important life skills!!

Classic dugout picture. Although, I don't think he was as much concerned with the play as how hot it was! Still cute though. He looks so concerned! 

Just look at those bright, happy eyes!

Hitting was definitely his favorite part. Such a big boy!

This Little League season had it's share of ups and downs. He had his moments where he would freak out with frustration for a minute, but then he would have awesome moments of sheer joy and being proud of himself, while also having so much fun! It was a little hard to be totally sure, as he still is not the biggest conversationalist; but I'm pretty sure he "got it". The basic idea anyway, of being on a team. He was excited, and proud of himself. He knew that he got to wear a uniform, and that he was matching everyone else. He learned that he needed to take turns, and the different parts of the game. He did understand too I think, that this was "his thing". Which made me happy for him. It was worth all of the work and effort, for him to know that it was his turn. We had been going to Porter's games all year, and this time it was for him. Even if he couldn't express it, or fully understand it; I know it meant a lot to him to get to have the experience. He got to be on a real team, and play a real team sport.

Can't wait till next time!