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In case you don’t know, I’m not a big “sport’s” guy. Baseball, basketball, football, hockey, whatever the sport, I really could care less about it. However, over the years of having four boys to raise, and all of them liking sports, I have come to enjoy watching games that THEY are playing in. And even that took some time lol.

Over the years my kids have played for many teams. It hasn’t always been fun for them, or us, as we dealt with coach personalities, driving long distances for travel games, cold late nights and balancing sports with education. But all in all, its been great. I have learned a lot about sports from my kids……..and my wife. Yes, she knows WAY more about sports than I do. At least baseball for sure. She even keeps the book for a lot of the kid’s games. I look at the book and it may as well be hieroglyphics on a cave wall. But she loves it.

Anyway, Austin has been playing for their new private school team. Spartanburg Christian Academy Warriors is the name of the team. It was certainly a tough transition for Austin as a lot of the kids on this team had not been playing as long as he had, therefore they were still in the learning curve of a lot of things that Austin has known for many years now.

Austin has always been an exceptional athlete. He really excels in baseball and basketball.  I love to watch him play because I like to watch anyone do something that they are really good at doing. I have a respect for people who recognize, develop and build upon a skill or ability that they have been blessed with. This doesn’t mean I particularly “like” the sport, I just like watching some of the players.

So the year has been interesting at SCA and as it turns out, they have made it farther this year than they have ever made it in the history of the school. They made it to the playoffs for the state game. Now OF COURSE I contribute this success to the fact that my son is on the team now. Lol. Just messing. The entire team worked their butts off with a lot of practice time and training to get to where they ended up. But I’m confident my son was an integral part :) 

Below are some pictures from the last game in which we were beat out of our chance for state. Although the boys didn’t make it to state, they should be proud of the fact that they carried the team farther than it has ever been and they did it in a manner and for a school that speaks loudly and clearly that it is all for the glory of God. 

 Getting ready to bat

 Goes for the bunt

 The bunt pops up high and goes foul.

 He's not bunting this time.

 Takes a strike!

 GOT IT!

 It's gonna be close

 Austin realizes it's close and gets a little pep in his step.

 He beats the play to first! The kid runs like Bolt.

 Checking his arm band for the play. They have a sleeve that they wear on there arm with a series of numbers that the coach will call out. Each number represents a certain play. They do this rather than signs. Personally I like the signs better!

 Looking to steal second.

 Nope, gotta get back!

 Back safe!

 Austin eventually gets to second base.

 Going for third

 Gets third with no problem.

 The ball was hit TOWARD third base and Austin decides to try to beat the ball to home plate!

 Third baseman has the ball and winds up to throw it home. The catcher is set and ready for the play. Austin is about half way to home.

 The ball is on it way as Austin goes for the slide. The ump looks on to make the call.

 SAFE! with time to spare!

 After the game the third base coach told Austin "man, I didn't tell you to go for home!" Austin replied "Coach, I dont need you to tell me when I can take a base and then smiled at him" the coach laughed.

 Although they did not win the second game that would have put them in the state game, the team and the coaches were VERY proud of their accomplishments. This was the farthest the team had ever made it.

 Good game, good game, good game. The traditional after game "good game" hand shake.

 This was the last year for these two player as they are seniors. They were integral players for the team that helped get them this far this season. The coach presented them each with a team had signed by all of their teammates and coaches.

 After the hats were presented, the team proceeded to tackle the coach to the ground and get him dirty. This was also done in part because the team knew that the coach had to go to a dinner right after the game in which he would be wearing his baseball uniform. So they wanted to make him look like he had played a little bit.

 They succeeded. The coach had a couple nice little grass stains to wear to the dinner :-)