Homewood Havoc Plays Fall Ball

Thankfully COVID didn't stop these boys from playing baseball!  Things were a little different this Fall...masks are supposed to be worn when not playing, and the fans are supposed to social distance themselves and wear masks when they are unable to stay apart.  But since our boys are all close friends, as are the parents....we didn't follow the rules that closely...and fortunately we have stayed healthy.

The Havoc have played in several tournaments this Summer and Fall, as well as a handful of scrimmages, and I love watching them improve.  The team has definite talent, but they just don't all fire on the same cylinder every game, or they have one rough inning which kills them.  And when they play tournaments, they don't always have the stamina to last all day.  But all of these tournaments they enter, are practice for the big week-long tournament they signed up to play in next summer.

This summer our team decided to enter a tournament in Branson, MO called the "Ballparks of America."  All of the families are planning to accompany the boys, but it will cost a chunk of change for the tournament entry, new uniforms, food and activities during the down time.  So I volunteered to lead the fundraising efforts, and we came up with a great plan to raise $12,000!

Hopefully the boys will continue to improve and play well together.  Preston is still working on his pitching, and though he loves short stop - he has been playing a lot of third base this Fall.  He has even played in the outfield some and has made some incredible diving catches!  We love to watch him, and I truly believe he loves the sport.  Just hoping he realizes how hard he will have to work to make the high school team. 

The little siblings of these boys have become friends too, and look forward to hanging out.  Walker loves playing with Caleb and Bowen.  They will play on playgrounds, play wall ball, kick ball, color, ipad games and even entertained themselves for an hour one day trying to get a paper airplane off of a roof with a ball.  Whatever it takes to keep them happy.

The final Fall tournament was an all day event.  They had their first game at 9am (they won), second one right after at 11am (they won), then had a FOUR hour break!  It was a forever long time, but the boys came back after break and won their third game at 5pm.  Preston pitched that entire game and did a fantastic job, with three innings as a three up-three down!  They played a great game!  However, they lost steam in their final game, and sadly ended in second place.  They were thrilled to make it that far, their first time in awhile, and they were able to leave with some hardware.

Fortunately, the whole family enjoys watching him, and I think it will be a fun week in Branson next summer!