Ben's First Baseball Game

Ever since August 2005 when Weena and I found out we were having a baby boy I have been waiting for this moment. Today I took Benjamin to his first baseball game between the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles at Nationals Park. At age six and a half this was the perfect time to introduce him to the grand old game live and in person. It involved the Orioles, who I grew up watching since the Washington Senators moved to Texas in 1971, and the Nationals, who started play in DC in 2005, the year Ben was born.

Friday night I hit Stub Hub, secured a pair of tickets in the upper deck and we were set. Originally my idea was to bring my camera and get as many shots of both teams as I could but once I got there, I decided to concentrate on Ben's actions and emotions.

Since I am a fan of both teams, we rooted for the Nats today and when we go to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, we will root for the Orioles there. Today the Nats had their ace Stephen Strasburg on the mound and the ball park was packed. The Orioles got off to a 3-0 lead after two innings and I thought we wouldn't see very much of Strasburg. But the Nats, looking at a three game sweep by the Orioles, woke up and scored the next nine runs and cruised to a 9-3 victory. They hit three homers, including one by Strasburg, his first major league homer.

It was an incredible experience for me personally. Ben had a great time, calling this one of the greatest days ever. Made me proud. We will be back to Nats Park again soon and we have plans to see the Orioles this Summer in Baltimore.

Box Score

Ben enjoying a hot dog before the game

Nats pitcher Stephen Strasburg

Ben soaking up the action

The view from Section 312, Row D, Seats 7 & 8

Nationals Park

Ben excited after the Nats tied the score at 3-3

Ben focused (note you can see the Capitol in the background)

Ben wearing Dad's Nats hat

Nats pitcher Tom Gorzelanny

Orioles pitcher Darren O'Day

Nats pitcher Tyler Clippard

Nats turn a double play to end the game.

Nats win 9-3!

A happy Ben after the game

More Soccer Action!

Ben's soccer season continued today. He has a couple more games left before the
Spring season ends.

I think I am getting better capturing him in action while I sit on the sidelines.
He works hard and is having fun.

Ben's Homework

Ben missed a couple days of school last week due to fever and a cold. He's fine and he went back to school today. He had some make up assignments to do tonight. The camera was handy so I thought I'd get him in action. I thought he would pause and give me his usual goofy smile. That wasn't the case, he was determined and focused and I believe I got some great shots of Ben here doing his school work. Hard to believe that he will be finished with Kindergarten soon and will be headed to first grade!

Ben cutting and pasting

Concentration

Focus

Learning

Ben takes pride in knowing his numbers, making sure they are perfect

Plant project. We'll see if he's better at this than I was

Ben's Soccer Pictures

Been almost a month between posts. I think Facebook is slowly making this blog obsolete as I have a bigger Facebook audience. I will keep this going for awhile longer. I had no idea I would be writing  over five years after I created this but as long as family and friends find it entertaining, the blog will continue.

Here are a few pictures from Ben's soccer game today. I'm pretty excited how Ben's taken to the sport. He doesn't want to play anything else, just soccer and I'm not going to be one of those parents who take their kids to two or three sports per weekend. I've taught him the basics of baseball, he knows how to shoot a basketball and to catch and throw a football. As he gets older if he wants to pursue these sports, then by all means we will. Right now it's a lot of fun seeing him play soccer and enjoy himself.

In the "locker room" before the game

Controlling the midfield

A cracking goal! My best and favorite sports picture.

Looking to score

Trying to elude the defense

Here they come! Who needs Real Madrid - Barcelona when I got this!

Another goal by Ben

Ben's game face shows his determination

Benjamin's Kindergarten Year

Hard to believe Benjamin's Kindergarten year rapidly coming to an end. We were at his school's fund raiser Saturday night and we bid on, and won this poster of Noah's Ark pictures drawn by every student in his class for their first school play. It's a wonderful keepsake of his Kingergarten year and we are happy to own it. Benjamin was excited as you can tell by his smile when we showed it to him after we got home. He is also missing a tooth as his third tooth came out earlier in the day. He's growing up so fast!