LOUD and PROUD

Things just come natural to Bo. He is just one of those God-Given Naturals. He plays baseball on a competetive traveling team, teamropes with his dad, has musical talent on the drums, piano, and singing, but he doesn't want anyone to know he can sing right now. God has just really blessed him with natural ability. Sometimes he takes it for granted but most of the time, he really works and practices hard to become better at what he is doing.

We decided early on as parents that if our children showed an interest in something and they worked at it, then we would provide every opportunity available for them to excell.

When Bo played T-Ball we tried the YMCA. It was clear that we needed to move him on, since everytime he threw the ball to first, he hurt the first basemen. So we transfered to West Urban Baseball Association. This is the toughest, most talented league in Wichita. We got on a team that was full of kids that had talent but the coaching just wasn't there. Two years ago, we were able to try out for the Wichita Storm - Bo made the team that year and the coaching was fantastic.



Coach Garret Bergkamp - Knows his baseball and knows how to get the boys to the next level.


Coaches Rick Allerano and Troy Griggs - Rick knows baseball and knows boys. He's Mr. Positive Encouragement! Troy is a Texas Longhorns fan and knows pitching.

Last year, we played on a local team. Gas prices were just to outrageous for us to travel 70 miles for practices and games. However, Bo missed the Storm, the coaches, the team members, and it showed in his playing. So, we called them, tried out again, and are back with this team. I say "We" because when you play on a team like this, it is a FAMILY affair - money, travel, time.



Friday night was Bo's first tournament of the season called the Hard Ball Classic. If you are a West Urban team, this is a tournament you want to win.

We played our first game on Friday against the Wichita Hustlers. Bo bats third. His first at bat he took a ball, second pitch he swung big and missed. We call that the corkscrew strike because he literally swung so hard he spun around. The third pitch came in right in Bo's sweet spot - he likes pitches above the belly button and below the chest and this one was just what he wanted.

Slam! There she goes . . . . . . HOMERUN over the left field wall - 165 ft.

The Wichita Storm pitching really shut this team down. The team held them to 1 run.

Bo's second time at bat, was against a lefty. This is NOT GOOD! Bo doesn't hit well off of lefties.

First pitch was high and outside

Second pitch was a strike coming in at the knees . . . is this Bo's sweet spot?


Well . . . . . . . IT IS TODAY!!!!!

I knew that ball was gone before it even left the park! Wheeeeeeeeeewhoooooooooooooo!

I was on my feet and giving a good cowgirl holler before that ball even left!

I try to stay pretty chilled during my son's games.

UNLESS . . . its a homer or just a really great play! I don't hesitate to whoop and holler!

ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY FIVE FEET! Over the Center Field wall with room to spare! The ball went so high - every one just stood there for a minute or two it seemed and watched, except me . . . I knew it was gone and I started the celebration!



The Storm ended up winning 10 to 1. Good pitching and batting!



I make sure that those homerun balls end up on my shelf. I now have eight. Bo was pretty humble afterwards. One parent asked him, "Ricky, you gonna hit a home run tomorrow?" He said, "I'm just gonna swing my bat."

Stay tuned . . . Game number two has been played . . . I'll post tomorrow . . .

Remember - We praise God when we win, we praise Him when we lose.

All Glory and Honor to the King!

Blessings~

P. - a braggin' mama!