Grand Slam Opening Day

Jaden and Cody's Little League season kicked off with a big series of opening events. The boys couldn't wait to put on their Red Sox uniforms that morning. Their uniforms made them look so grown up!

Cody...

Jaden...

This is what they wanted to do when I asked them to pose for a picture. :)

The first event of the morning was a Little League parade. Each team decorated a trailer and rode in it down Main Street.

Our "team mom" rode along with the players and coaches. She took these next two pics and a video of the boys chanting, "Go Red Sox, Go Red Sox!"

Daddy, Adley, Grandma, Grandpa, and I found a spot to sit (briefly) along Main Street to wave at the boys and to cheer on the Red Sox team as they passed.

After the parade, we met the team at the ballpark, took team pictures, and then finally went to our assigned field for our very first game. Go team!

Cody played either first base or right field.

Jaden covered left field or third base.

Because of the busy morning, our game was a little shorter. Cody and Jaden were some of the last two in the line-up, so they were each only up to bat once. In their 5/6-year-old league, the boys are allowed 3 coach pitches, and then, if they miss, the coach puts up the tee. Both of our boys hit the ball on one of the coach pitches.

Cody

Jaden

Cody had some action at first base but didn't quite get the ball soon enough for any outs.

Adley was a decent fan throughout the game, although after the long morning, she was fairly tired! Keeping her occupied now at age 1 is a lot more challenging than when she was a non-walker during the boys' soccer seasons. We read a lot of books, ate some snacks, and walked around behind the field.

At this point in the season, fielding the ball and getting a player out is pretty challenging for most teams in their age level. So, the league rule is that each runner can advance one base per hit, unless the ball gets behind the outfielders (and then the runner can advance 2 bases). The teams switch after either 3 outs or 5 runs. Because of these rules, I think that most of the time, teams end the game at a tie. Cody, however, ran off the field excitedly at the end of this game, claiming that, "Our team WON 5 to 2!" Regardless of the game's true score, both boys seemed to enjoy themselves and definitely continue to learn a LOT about all the finer rules and strategies of the game.

Following each game, each ball player is allowed one free snack from the concession stand. Cody and Jaden were quite pleased with their post-game popcorn!

Finally, the last event of the Grand Slam Day was an opportunity to ride carnival rides. I ended up taking Adley home (she fell asleep before we even reached the first stop light, poor girl!). Grandpa, Grandma, and Daddy walked around with Jaden and Cody as they enjoyed various rides and inflatables.

What a full, exciting morning!