Mark's Baseball Season

Mark loves baseball even in the rain!

Mark played another season with the Diamond Thieves, but this year he gave up recreation baseball through Lehi City. This really worked well as Mark gave up his job as soccer ref and most of his soccer games last year to play on multiple teams. This year his life seemed in much better balance and there was still plenty of baseball.

Mark's team also had quite a few new players, and since he is playing up, some of these guys were pretty big. Mark didn't get a lot of opportunities to pitch, but he still hit really well. Mark usually hit in the top three as a "get on base guy," and he was successful with a load of line drive singles. Mark never walks, though. Like his dad, every pitch looks good enough to hit. He never strikes out, either, as he's a great contact hitter. He also had plenty of HBPs because he stands in there and hits, or in some cases, gets hit. We have lots of pictures of bruises and scrapes from baseballs.

Mark getting ready to bat. 

Since Mark often hits the first pitch, I miss lots of pictures of his hits. 

One of his many Hit By Pitch incidents.

Of course, his glove is the best part of his game. Mark made several amazing plays. One of particular note was a diving catch into the fence. Mom saved the text because everyone was so impressed by Mark's play. Mark has turned lots of double plays. One time, he almost had a triple play. He caught a line drive, touched 2nd, and the first baseman wasn't ready or he could have easily thrown the kid on first out. Mark is smart on the field, and his coach likes to have him play right field so he can throw people out at first. Mark loves playing second and spends a lot of time there, too.

So proud of Mark being the topic of conversation.

We went to lots of tournaments, but our favorite one was in Pocatello. We got to stay with Grandma and Grandpa, and Steph and her kids came to the games, too. It was fun to have lots of support for Mark.

Mark has a lot of friends on his team, and they respect Mark's baseball knowledge. Mark is a great sport congratulating kids on his team, and often the opposing team, when they make great plays or get great hits. Mom and Dad laugh a little at Mark on the field because he is always talking to someone. We are proud of Mark and love watching him develop into a very amazing baseball player.

Mom needs to take more pictures of Mark. She has lots of little clips of his hitting, but not enough photos. Sorry Mark!

Sometimes the coach rewards the kids with ice cream when they play really well!

We loved being with Grandma for one of the baseball tournaments!

The Diamond Thieves of 2019