Baseball: The Rockhounds!

She loved soccer, loved basketball so now on to baseball!  

We originally planned on doing the girls softball league in town but dropped out after low enrollment. They weren't sure they'd have any other Santa Barbara teams for Samantha's age group to play against which meant we'd be going to Carpinteria, not far, BUT, the thought of Santa Ynez was definitely too far. Going up the street for baseball games is more our style. So, the Santa Barbara Pony Baseball league it is! It is co-ed like basketball and the majority of her team are schoolmates from Peabody as well as some from her basketball team. Oh and we've got our Coach Jules again and amazing assistant coaches. Which makes me nervous thinking about who will coach Thatcher when he starts sports because not all coaches are created equal we've seen at various games ;) 

And just like soccer and basketball, we've had such a positive experience so far with coaches who are really there to encourage and teach the game.  We've also got a cheering section on the Rockhounds that is hard to beat!

First practice at Elings Park. They were the cutest things ever doing warm-up exercises on the field. 

Coach Tom helping Samantha with her lefty swing

Learning to throw. 

Running bases.

New uniforms!

Thatcher trying to be part of the game with Samantha's pink helmet. Which by the way, Thatcher's time for sports is coming next month when the YMCA T-ball starts. And we'll buy him his own helmet ;)

The team

Todd took Samantha to a batting clinic at UCSB where the Gaucho baseball players help the kids with their hitting. 

Off to her first game!

Charlotte and Samantha bring the girl power to the Rockhounds ;)

Warming up before the game. 

The eye black is just the cutest touch on these kids. 

First at bat. 

The kids get four chances to hit from the machine before they bring out a tee. We've had two games so far and she hasn't hit it from the machine, YET. ;) She's close and has made contact but they have been fouls. The machine isn't as fast as the batting cage speed but it is definitely fast for a beginner. She just needs more practice and she will get there. 

Sam's "bum on a bucket" stance in the outfield

Post-game snacks never get old. 

Great first game girls! There is no score officially taken but I took score. We won ;) 

More practice. 

Game two, Samantha did a great job playing third.  

And here are some video highlights from the season so far.