Screwballs

Softball season is over, much to the dismay of one spunky bat boy.  For the first time in many years, we didn't make it into the playoffs...  it was a tough (but fun!) season, and we're hoping that everyone does some good recruiting in the off-season to help us out a little next year.  We did have some good times this spring and summer on the field, though!

All season long, Liam would convince anyone standing on the sidelines to pitch to him so he could get in his batting practice:

After games, he would also insist on getting in a couple of swings at home plate:

... and then running the bases (here with his best girl Theresa):

He slides into home and... he's SAFE!

Joergen also had some good fun... after all, playing with dirt and chasing balls are two of his favorite pastimes!

Miss Doreen playing catch with Joer in between innings:

Daddy with laser-focus in the infield...

...and at the plate (where he hit several home runs this season!)

A double!  Safe at second!

Some attitude from Uncle Sam:

Batboy Liam:

Our batboy always makes time for flirting with the ladies!

Liam and his Theresa:

My absolute favorite picture of the season has to be this one from back in the spring.  It's been my wallpaper on my phone for months.

The boys on the sidelines with Doreen and Sam's niece and nephew, Gina and Louie.  These four spend a lot of time together at Miss Doreen's house during the week and just adore each other!  They are like a big sister and brother to our boys, and they have such a sweet and special bond:

(PS- can you believe how light Joergen's hair is getting?!?)

In our second-to-last game of the season, we played our friendly rival team, Angelo's.  Every year, Angelo's and Screwballs battle it out for the Sweetbriar Cup, named for the shopping plaza where both establishments are located.  And for the FIRST time in the history of this rivalry... Screwballs won!!  (Dad had a well-placed home run in that game, right over the center fielder's head!)  Cousin Tommy gladly accepted that trophy from the Angelo's captain... who was incidentally also the aforementioned center fielder :)

The trophy made it's way around the team table so everyone could get a little piece of the victory:

And it ended with one 3-foot batboy, who proudly paraded the trophy around the bar!

Par-tay!

The following week marked our last game of the season, which we anti-climatically lost.  Since we had had a rather eventful night out at Screwballs the week before (and were planning to go back a few days later when Grandma and Papa came to town), we opted out of a Screwballs outing that night.  Liam got in the car after the game and said, "Well guys, off to Screwballs!!" at which time we had to break it to him that we were not actually going.  Let's just say it didn't go over well.  Let's just say that after we got out of the car at home, there was a dirty, shirtless 3-year-old boy stomping off (in the wrong direction, mind you), huffing and puffing with arms crossed, declaring "FINE.  I am WALKING to Screwballs BY MINE SELF."

Now that's dedication.