Hey . . . Batter, Batter, Batter . . . SCHA-WING Bat Boy?

As a huge supporter of my local parks and recreation program (shout out to M-NCPPC), I regularly check their website or my weekly e-newsletters for fun, inexpensive ways to entertain my youngins. I was very pleased to see that this summer, the county was sponsoring FREE half-day baseball clinics to youth aged 6 to 17. Because we live in a predominately basketball/football area, I was glad to have the opportunity for my boys to be exposed to something different as a participant, rather than a spectator.

Clinic #1

The first session we went to was held at PG Sports Park off Woodmore Road and was conducted by the coaching staff from McNamara High School. Dylan and Drew were geared up with mitts that they had for going to Baysox games, tee ball bats that we picked up for about $10 from Target and batting gloves I ran across at Marshalls for like $6. We were late because that was the last day of Drew's flag football season but they jumped right in like they had been there all day.

Drew looks like a pro in the making

Dylan getting tips from one of the volunteer coaches

They worked on the proper way to pitch and throw as well as how to properly bat. They worked on catching. Dylan learned how to play the catcher position and Drew learned shortstop, pitcher and outfielder skills, proving solidly that he is a natural athlete. Nic even got in the act playing catch with his dad.

"catch this one, daddy"

After the skills sessions, the participants were treated to Chick-fil-A sandwiches and Powerade, which me and Los got in on too. We then cooled off after a hot day out on the diamond with a birthday pool party at our friends' house.

Clinic #2 at Prince Georges Stadium, home of the Bowie Baysox

The next session was held at Bowie Baysox Stadium which was a real treat. The boys got the chance to hang out in the Baysox dugout and this clinic was conducted as a part of the Jeff Potter Baseball Tour - a touring 15 and under squad based out of Pennsylvania with kids from PA and Maryland. Kids first got a pep talk in the dugout by Jeff Potter and Coach Moore from the Potter Pirates and some of the other coaching staff then they were split out into groups for individual stretching and warm-up exercises.

Tour founder, Jeff Potter

Dylan in the dugout with some powerade

Drew and some other participants

field shot from the stands

Drew and Dylan were in the same group and got to know their Pirates - Joey, Nick, Kurtis and Justin - pretty well and befriended them pretty quickly as well. It was funny because I didn't stay out on the field due to the heat but by lunch my boys acted liked they knew these teens they just met for their whole lives.

eating with their buds

Then they worked on some pitching drills and batting drills near the fence where the participants attempted to "hit it out of the park." It was a an hot and humid day after the previous day's torrential downpours, which is typical for July in the DC area and the weather took its toll on Drew . . . he got a bit overheated and vomited which scared me to death but we treated him with a quick rest in the shade with a ice pack and the fruit and yogurt I packed. Then he was back out there like nothing ever happened.

They broke at about noon for lunch - another Chick-fil-A day - and my dudes sat at the table with their new Potter Pirate buddies like they do this all the time. The clinic resumed with just some field play however they wanted to - catching or batting or whatever. Dylan befriended one young man - Kurtis Krise from Clearwater, PA, and drew him a picture. Kurtis was so taken by the gesture that he gave Dylan a signed bat. This bat may actually be worth something one day as this young man played varsity for his high school squad as a freshman, which is a sign of some talent. We ended the session with a great invitation - the boys' friends asked if they wanted to serve as bat boys in their evening tour game.

Dylan and his new friend, Kurtis Krise from PA

Bat Boy for a day (well technically just for a game)

So after we came home and rested, the boys benefited from this once-in-a-lifetime (at least until this point) opportunity and served as bat boys for the Potter Pirates against our own PG County All Stars. It was an awesome game and experience for my dudes. They got to stand with the team on the foul line for the singing of our National Anthem and were greeted by the other team members.

"Oh say, can you see . . ."

Then it was to the dugout until their turn at bat boy. I loved watching them get excited to run out on the field and get the random bat or ball when the coaching staff told them to. They even had a mini fan club in the stands yelling "GO DREW" or "YEA DYLAN" when they had their shot.

getting bat boy instruction from Coach Moore

Dylan getting a bat from home plate

Drew with bat in hand

getting equipment together - a two man job

on the field

The team gave them both signed team balls and I had my sharpie on hand to get additional signatures from Jeff Potter and Coach Moore and whoever else they wanted to sign. They were able to get in the end of game team picture and Drew even gave them a post game pep talk, wishing them luck in their next tour game which was scheduled for the following night, following this night's decisive trouncing of our home team - the PG County All Stars.

Drew giving his pep talk

final score

Potter Pirates 11, PG All Stars 0

They ate dinner - pizza and drinks - with the team and even helped the guys clean up the dugout. We left with some great memories, some new friends and even some random baseball gear - Justin gave Drew his mitt and batting gloves and several players gave up their wristbands. I think there may be some moms with some issues when their boys come home missing some equipment but the generosity sure made my guys' day (and mine).

team picture

the boys and their new buddies

(Nic, Joey, Justin, unknown and Kurtis, L to R)

Who knew that a free clinic would end in such a priceless experience?

There are two more clinics scheduled - one at the end of July at Cosca Park in Clinton and the final one in mid-August at Nationals Park. We alos were one of the first 100 participants to sign up I believe so we are supposed to get some Nationals tickets too.

This was such an awesome experience for them that I've already inquired about a repeat next year . . . hey Sports and Wellness division, can we get a standing reservation? I'm not that much of a fan of baseball per se but I am really glad I took advantage of the opportunity to let my boys get a better taste of America's Pasttime. I'll take an athletic scholarship wherever I can get it . . . ya feel me?