Sometimes watching your son play baseball at a tournament is like going to the dentist every day. It is never meant to be so, but the parent anxiety, desire for your son to excel and succeed is that strong. There is often trepidation about what lies ahead. Today we were visiting the dental factory. Drill? Fillings? Root canal therapy...anyone?
We arrived today to play on Diamond 1 - a sensational auditorium - under sunny skies and with a light breeze. Quite at odds from yesterday's cyclonic conditions. The fellows from Ashley and Martin would have had a busy morning today. Even tattoos were blowing off arms yesterday.
The line up was altered today as South Australia and ourselves were already confirmed in the top four teams. (The final series kicks off on Saturday morning with the top four teams doing battle. Ourselves, Victoria Blue and South Australia are certainties. Queensland and NSW Country are fighting for fourth spot).
The rest play for the plate, the bowl or the dish to the right. Sheep stations over here to the left....
Hunt, Dyer, Moran, Power, Packer, Barbaro, Eckberg, Richardson, McCallum was our line up (from a squad of 17 or so), with James in left field. Some notables were rested, with great confidence shown in the boys representing today. Refreshing.
Two booming hits from South Australian bats sailed well and truly over James' head early, getting the adrenalin going. They were facing Alex Richardson (Bankstown) who did a strong job containing their flashy blades. He is also a younger player who is finding his feet at this level. His parents deserved to be proud today.
Last evening at the ground I chatted to Glenn Williams who is the high performance manager of NSW baseball (and Detroit Lions scout) - he was yesterday inducted into the Australian Baseball Hall of Fame. His knowledge of James' game is pretty intimate, having worked very closely with him and other boys across the winter and more recently in small group clinics. He knows a lot about his game. Mark Shipley, his Baulkham Hills coach too gave his usual brilliant advice. Simple but important points for James to focus on. Texting is a great innovation.
James' first at bat was in the first innings of the game as we went through the whole order (and then some) against their fast, but hittable pitcher.
At the plate, James sat on the first pitch then laced one through second base. His first clean hit. The roar of the parents was quite wonderful and supportive. They too know he is a good kid who tries his best always. It was a nice moment. All parents sit in the dentist's waiting room themselves from time to time. First base is a happy base to be on safely.
Liam started to get the gear off for a nude run before we settled him down.
Ben Hunt, a diminutive lad from Cronulla way, came into the tournament as a relative unknown in many respects but has had a superb tournament. He hit grandly, sensibly, reliably and at every turn. He will be tremendous next year. He hit a triple off Brazier from Victoria Blue. That will be told to grandchildren one day!
Adam Barbaro also hit the ball strongly. A leftie with a great attitude and a quiet, calm and unceasing optimism. He is a winner and contributed strongly.
In the second innings, James got to first on a fielder's choice. He stole a couple of bases (good) and got home before hitting a triple in the next bat. Poised like a cobra, he unleashed... hitting the far fence with a flat line drive of power and substance. Third base is a happier place still.
Two hits is not new, but for James in this tournament it was like a pot of gold falling from the sky at his feet. It was in the bank before anyone noticed it.
His bouyancy under pressure here has been sparkling. He sprints into position and is always ready to play. He exudes confidence and a joy for competing.
His performances over the years under pressure have always been strong. Spectacular even at times...five Grand Final wins, three Champion of Champions victories, Little League finals, State Cup finals, Pitching a complete game to steer Australia to a victory over Canada as a 12 year old, pitching nearly the whole game in the final of the 2011 National Championships in front of 1000 plus crowd - and then hitting a home run....
He has had disappointment and has learned to cope. Cal Ripken was a long taste with the bat. Failure is embarrassing and it is a test - for us all. This tournament from the outset has been that test. When you get too used to success, there is complacency.
Today returned joy to the hearts and smiles to the faces of us all. 20-5 winners.
There were no fillings or dental drills required today. The warmth and enthusiasm of his team mates makes baseball a special sport with which to be involved.
The skies were somewhat bluer on the way back to the car.
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