Last week, Zach began his baseball “career.” Well, it’s baseball of sorts. The Arlington Southwest Little League has an introductory program for 3-4 year-olds to get acquainted with baseball. I’ll let ASWLL explain “Bubba Ball”:

What exactly is Bubba Ball, you ask?

It is designed for 3-4 year olds who are just not ready–either physically or socially–for team sports.  You take an oversized plastic bat, a squishy ball, a mat that shows them exactly where to stand, and one base…first base only.  Put the ball on a tee, let them give it a whack, and teach them how to run to first base.  After they touch first base, they give every family member they can find a hug.

The other team?

Well, they “look” like they are playing defense.  They are really just chasing that squishy ball and handing it back to an adult (or one of the many older ASWLL players who are helping their siblings on these fields) so that they can hurry up and put that ball back on the tee so the next kid can give it a whack.

Six players per team, six whacks with the bat, several hugs and high fives later, then you switch sides.  It really is a sight to behold.

Here are some pics from Zach’s first day of Bubba Ball (all photos courtesy of http://www.saenzofthetimes.com/):

Zach and his Cubs teammates warm up.

Zach is being chased by a teammate as they learn what to do with the ball.

Zach at the plate.

On the way to first, trying to beat the throw!

He made it!

Post game cheers!