This was the first year that both my daughters played in organized sports. My oldest played in a softball league that was a mixture of kids and coaches pitching. My youngest played on a t-ball team. My wife and I are very proud of our daughters. They played very well for their first time. Sure we would play different sports in our backyard, but playing on a team was new to them. My girls enjoyed playing so much that they even wanted to practice. Yes, Allen Iverson we are talking about practice.
In both leagues I was asked to help out. I would be an assistant coach from time to time. I was even the interim head coach for my daughter’s t-ball team one week while the two main coaches were away on vacation. I will always remember this experience.
As the season is winding down I thought of some trophies and awards that should be handed out to these kids. Now I am guessing that all around the world that parents whose kids are between the ages of 4 years old to 8 years old can agree that these trophies are needed at the final game of the season.
Sandcastle Trophy
This award goes to the player or players who would rather play with the dirt in the infield than pay attention to the game or practice. Whether the player is building a traditional sandcastle or making a new mound of dirt right next to first base, this kid is mesmerized by the infield dirt.
Juice Box Trophy
This kid is all about what takes place after the game. The water bottle that his parents gave him for the game is just not cutting it. You will hear, “Can we have our snacks now?” even before the first inning is over. He might try and sneak into the snack bag while you are not looking. When the game finally ends he is looking to score not one, but two snack bags.
Bat In Hand Award
This award might sound like it is a good thing, but it is not. This kid is always playing with bats in the dugout. After numerous times of asking the player to not hold a bat in the dugout because other people could get hurt you have to put all the bats in the equipment bag. The Bat in Hand Award recipient likes to use bats to smash bugs, dig lines in the dirt, or pretend that it is a lightsaber. Your head needs to be on a swivel when that player is in the dugout.
Rather Hit The Tee Award
I know that with this age range these kids are learning how to hit the ball off the tee. All of them will occasionally hit the tee instead of the ball. Even I have done that recently with hitting the ball off the tee during fielding practice. Yet there are few players who want to hit the tee more than the ball. There have been a few occasions where players hit the tee to see if they can break it. Well at least that was what one player had told me. After a few times of hitting the tee, he decided to hit the ball.
Where Is My Glove Trophy
This player is always looking for their glove. Each inning a search party is created to find the elusive baseball mitt. The Bermuda Triangle is even jealous of how many times this glove goes missing. To resolve this issue have one of the coaches hold on to the glove while your team is batting!