Opening Day

Pitchers and catchers may report in 19 days but here in Dubai baseball season is already in full swing. Last Friday we had our opening day ceremonies complete with the boy scouts presenting the flags (both the UAE and the USA...sorry Canada) and the singing of both national anthems. The UAE anthem was more instrumental than vocal but it was a nice effort all around.

This year in Dubai Little League there are over 400 players in 6 divisions and the players come from 29 countries so our league is good example of the global reach of America's game.

Bret is in the pitching machine league for 7 &8 year olds and plays on the Orioles while Cole plays T-ball with the 5&6 year olds and is on the Phillies. Nick is Bret's coach and helps out with Cole's team on game day. So far both kids are having fun, making new friends and improving their baseball skills. We are thrilled that the boys have an opportunity to play ball while abroad. Now if we can get Cole to make it from third to home without doing a face plant about ten feet shy of the plate (true story).

Bret's first at bat of the season...singled and scored!

Bret's first run of the season. His team ended up winning the game 13 -7. They followed that up with a 29-10 victory over the Diamond Backs, which was particularly fulfilling since the coach of the other team used a megaphone to communicate with her players.

Cole's first game. He did very well...caught a few ground balls and even threw them in the right direction. He also was responsible for about three dog piles while fighting over the ball.

Cole's first at bat. He hit a single and later scored...well, they all score in T-ball but I was proud nonetheless. Overall, much better than Bret's first T-ball at bat in Texas where he hit the ball and ran directly to second base. We were certain that the baseball crazy Texans were going to run us out of the league.