The Spice of Sports...Competition

Nothing beats watching our two grandsons do what they love...sports.  It begins with organized activities, i.e. wrestling, baseball, lacrosse, hockey, and soccer.  Other team/group activities at school include track, and choir. They also enjoy time with friends at birthday parties, bowling, movies, and attending various professional sports venues in the Denver metro area.

There is a long list of memorable experiences with these boys.  My favorites include ziplining across the Colorado River at Glenwood Canyon, camping four days in the Weminuche Wilderness, skydiving, whitewater rafting, climbing a 14er. (Democrat), hiking Eldorado Canyon, being lost in the Flatirons, exploring the Collegiate Peaks on horse back, and a trip to PA., to visit historic Philadelphia and reunite with family.  
 
My wife and me are grateful for the opportunities we have had to watch our grandsons compete.  At twelve and ten, they have played more games, ran more laps, competed in more gyms, and stadiums, and seen more of this country than their parents and grandparents combined.

Taunting the catcher.

Dylan always goes hard to first.

I wouldn't change anything.

It was not as frantic a pace with their parents, and certainly not the generations before that.

Examples:  Their father played soccer, basketball, and baseball.  An avid skier since childhood in Ipswich, Mass., it is downhill that remains his passion.

Their mother (our oldest daughter) played softball, field hockey, and soccer. She also competed in track and field events, i.e. 300m hurdles, high jump, 1600m relay, and shot put.  Both are competitive in life as they are in sports.




The boys have two nephews, one of whom plays baseball and competes as a downhill ski racer.

Serious!

100 % effort.

Plays both offense and defense.

Their uncle is a good golfer, boat captain and excellent skier.  Their aunt is also a sailor and swimmer.

Connor runs the mile and 1600 meter relay.

Last lap, turn four.

Dylan is small in stature but huge in effort.

As a catcher, he is fully aware of what the next play is.

Last regular season game state: Innings pitched = 6; total pitches = 76; ball to strike ratio = 72%; KO's = 8; walks = 0  

All Star at bat.

Dylan plays both offense and defense for the Warthogs.

Celebration after the score.

Their Grampy was a left-handed baseball pitcher, and played tennis, and hockey.  He was an excellent downhill skier and golfer.

From hockey arena - a change of uniform - then straight to the ball field.

Their great-grandfather on their fathers' side started a hockey club in his hometown of Hingham, Mass.  Plus, he was a referee for many years.   

A shot on goal from the near side scoots by goal.

Elation after a teammate scores.

Another uncle is a world class downhill skier in the over 60 division.  He also competed for the Irish national ski team.

As for their Mother's side of he family, the boys Nana (my wife) played softball, and field hockey.

An uncle was drafted out of college by the Boston Red Sox, and played in their farm system at Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

A number of nephews have enjoyed baseball, playing the game in various local adult leagues.
 
I have enjoyed baseball, biking, kayaking, backpacking, and hiking for many years.  My wife and me have biked, hiked, and kayaked, together.  Plus we have explored many country roads and byways by car.

So, our grandsons have a long history of being involved with both team and individual sports.  They, like their parents, grandparents and great grandparents, have known "The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat."

What an exciting journey it has been.  Ahead, high school, college, and life.  We will be there, watching with pride.