Autism Awareness ~ Baseball Practice

I guess this isn't necessarily about autism awareness, but about what it's like to live with a child with autism.  

This week Ben is away in Washington DC for some briefings about the past deployment.  We were not too thrilled.  Anyway, because of that, baseball duty fell to me.

I arrived home after Kidz ballet (ballet class for special needs children that Sister volunteers for) and took him to baseball practice.  We were one of the first ones to arrive.  The coach gave us the game and practice schedule.  Brother has been worried sick about missing the first game.  The first game of the baseball season for this league is scheduled on the same day as my brother's wedding.  Brother is a groomsman.  He's had this on his schedule for two years.  But, the game had become more important.  Why?  He thought if he missed the first game, he wouldn't be playing in any of the games.  The schedule?  We have a bye.  YAY!!!  Thank you, God.  Truly, this was His handiwork.  

After a quick warmup and a run around the field (can I tell you how happy I am that he's not the last one to finish?), the coach divided the boys up.  Five to seven of them were brought to the pitchers mound while the others were sent off to work on fielding.  Brother was picked!!!  My heart was glad.  He wants to pitch.  He has worked so very hard the past year learning proper form and well, just learning how to pitch.

He still needs to work on learning fundamentals about things like base running.  But, he's doing well.  This is the first time he's ever been on a team.  This is the first time he's ever wanted to.  

And, you know where he got this interest in baseball?  He wanted to watch a non-girly show on Netflix.  The only thing he could find he would be allowed to watch that he was interested in?  A Cal Ripken, Jr.'s video about baseball.  

I'm proud of my boy.  And, me.  I didn't dissolve into a mass of nerves.  Much.

Comments

[Denise]

Congratulations!! I'm so glad that it is starting out well, and especially that everything was resolved with game vs. wedding. I will keep Brother in my prayers for a successful season.

I remember nearly being in tears last year while watching my son play in a pick-up baseball game with kids he knows well. Little things other parents take for granted can be monumental to us. Life is indeed so very different when you live with a kid with autism...

[Jess]

oh this is so exciting! I am so glad things are going well for him, I will pray that he has a great season! I will tell my baseball player too, I know he will pray for him too!