SUPERMAN and the PINK BAT LADY

Friday, August 13, 2010 – The last month or so Jayden has been in football. At first it was strength and endurance training supervised by a couple of coaches on their own. It was voluntary and most kids didn’t participate. I’m glad Jayden did. It really gave him a head start. It was all ages, no hitting, no balls etc. After that there was a week or so of more of the same but in age groups and with the regular team coaches. Jayden has put his heart and soul into it. At the end of that, the three coaches chose kids and broke them down into three teams; an “A” team and two “B” teams since there are so many kids (at least one girl) in the fifth grade age level. The biggest kids went on the “A” team and the “B” teams split the rest evenly. Jayden got chosen by Coach Snow for the 1st “B” team. He is by far the 2nd littlest player but has perhaps the biggest heart and because of his hustle he is the 3rd to 4th fastest runner which is amazing. Corey was asked by Coach Snow to be one of his assistants. He was a bit hesitant because he doesn’t want to miss Bailey’s soccer practices and games. At least Bailey only practices on Thursdays and Stacey and I make sure to be to them. Bailey specifically asked that I be there. I of course was flattered. She has been more and more cuddly with me lately too. Yahoo! Bailey is the second biggest kid on her team if I am not mistaken. They have only had one practice, it is virtually in their backyard; about a five minute stroll. You could watch it out their window. I get the feeling she is going to be ok though she needs to work on her endurance. Coach Snow, Jayden’s head coach got a football and spray painted it gold and each Friday is giving it for the week to the player who shows the best heart, hustles, hits the hardest etc. Today was the first week and “MY” Jayden got it at the end of practice. He is “taking out” much bigger kids with ease and the one time a big kid got him good he shook it off and kept on playing. They have a practice play where they dive and hit their opponent (tackle dummy) while in midair. They call it Superman. The coaches gave him kudos for his efforts and yesterday in practice he used it on a big ball carrier and took him out big time. You should have heard the cheers go up especially from Coach Snow. That gives you a general idea of how he is playing. After practice tonight, Coach Snow said to me that he has never seen anything like it from a first year player. It was said where Jayden and the whole family could hear it.