We decided to play Dax up into Mustang league and skip the Machine Pitch, the same as we'd done with Mark. Since Dax is so small, and we didn't know too many coaches, we were worried about who'd pick him up, but he was a standout at the tryout. He got picked up by a great coach, and even though we didn't know anyone else on his team, we were so glad for his experience.
He is a cute little baseball player!
The Royals baseball team
A serious Royals baseball team. Dax looks the same in both pictures.
Dax's coach was intense and knew the game of baseball really well. We were happy that Dax learned so much and worked so hard. Even though it was a third-fourth grade team, and Dax just finished second grade, he was still a star. By the middle of the season, he was the starting shortstop. He even turned a double play by fielding a grounder, stepping on the bag and throwing to first! Later he pitched in two games, recording twelve outs and giving up only 1 run! This was a big boost for his team, and he was awarded the game ball. Dax was a great hitter, too, batting third in the lineup and regularly hitting singles to get on base. It was a pretty spectacular start to Dax's baseball life!
Dax loved pitching! He only pitched twice.
He pitched really well.
Dax started as the 2nd baseman but moved to shortstop.
Dax is a great contact hitter. He always puts the bat on the ball.
He is also speedy around the bases!!
Dax's team had a very successful postseason. After taking a disappointing fifth in the Lehi City Tournament, they advanced to the State Tournament. At State, Dax's team played well an advanced out of pool play. Then they won the next two games, which put them in the Championship. It was the greatest Championship game ever! They played very well against a team from Salem coached by Dad's old friend. At the end of six innings the score was tied! They needed extra innings, and they'd already played a semifinal game that day. The scored remained tied through the seventh. In the eighth, Dax took a ball off the elbow and came around to tie the game again sending it to the ninth. The other team scored four in the ninth. On the final play, needing two runs to tie Dax's team hit a single. The first run scored, but the second was thrown out at the plate. We were so proud of Dax and his team for taking second! They'd been on the field for 5 hours and given it their whole hearts. Dax's smile was even nicer than the medal he earned.
Dax loves this medal.
The boys played so well and it was a heartbreaker when they lost.
A full 9 innings for these little 8 and 9 year-olds was a long game!
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