3 Quarters Today

My Life, my photography, my passions

sports

Day 177/365: It’s Summer and Time for Legion Baseball

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Summer and Baseball

In towns all across America teenage boys pick up bats and balls and head out to the local ball field for Legion baseball.

One of the best sports experiences my kids ever had was American Legion Baseball. It was by far been the best sports experience in my 15 year history of sports in Elmwood-Murdock. This includes all school-related and summer town league ball seasons. My youngest son played Legion ball for four years, started as a freshman on a team that begged a group of boys to play so they could have a team. (many had not played since T-ball)

NIght time baseball
Night Time Legion Baseball (SOOC)

The coaches were fantastic (thanks Duane and Hank) and their expectations were not to win a game, but to improve as the season went on. If they won a game great, if not it was all about teamwork, having fun and growing as young men. My young man played right or center field, he’s center here, and loved to play. So much so that he delayed his Marine Bootcamp ship date so he could play one last summer. I still have sports bags in my garage with baseballs and gloves and every now and then my daughter will ask me to come out and do batting practice. Reminds me of summer and I miss the bleachers at the ball field watching my son.

Diamond D1-AL American Legion Official Baseball (Pack of 12)

I didn’t play sports in school, I was rather clumsy and not athletic. But, I have learned sports is not just about winning, it’s about how to win, how to lose, how to face adversity and still play. It’s about playing as a team, traveling and living together as teammates even if you don’t like the person next to you, sports does teach about life.

Spartan Ac: An American Legion Baseball Team United Through AdversitySwinging for the Fences: How American Legion Baseball Transformed a Group of Boys into a Team of Men

Since this photo was part of my 365 project here is a little bit of information about it. It is straight out of the camera, no editing, the storms clouds were gathering and it poured rain about 15 minutes after this picture. So far half their games have been rained out, but we have a long summer ahead of us and I’m going to enjoy each one.

Sports Life Lessons

Life lessons through sports

Justin Halog, an Unchartered Water Eleele sports camp leader, juggles the football during a flag football drill while soccer campers take a water break Monday during the opening of the sports camp at the Eleele Park. Life lessons through sports.

Kids and sports: life lessons, not winning, should be the goal

Ross Flowers won his first race when he was a skinny little kid who had to hold up his shorts with one hand for the last 25 yards. It was a lesson not just in winning, but in being adaptable and coping with adversity. Today, Flowers is a sport …

Life Lessons from a Youth Baseball Coach

In two decades of coaching youth baseball, John McCarthy has learned that dads often have trouble with the most important parts of the game. They’re too competitive, he says, and too emotionally wrapped up in the success of their children. Dads don’t …

Teaching Positive Life Lessons Through Sports

I founded a volleyball program that isn’t really about volleyball. Spike and Serve is about life, and how striving for excellence in sports can lead to achieving excellence in life. The skeptic asks, “Why do we need youth sports?” Sports are Larger …

29 Invaluable Life Lessons That Sports Teach Us

There are many life lessons you can learn by playing sports. Apart from the exercise, the fun factor and the competitive spirit, there is a lot more to be learnt from sports, lessons that can prepare you for life off the field. Here are …

Kids and sports: life lessons, not winning, should be a idea

Ross Flowers won his initial competition when he was a spare small child who had to reason adult his shorts with one palm for a final 25 yards. It was a doctrine not usually in winning, though in being variable and coping with …

Former Pro Athletes To Teach Sports, Life Lessons To …

By Staff Reports. (Victor Valley)– Foster youth will have the chance to learn about sports and life from professional athletes during the Annual Foster and Kinship Youth Sports Faire. Former Raider Tyrone Montgomery will be …

Day 144/365: Softball Glove

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Softball Glove (Fuji Camera)

I love this image taken at my daughters softball practice. The evening lighting provided really soft lighting and I used my aperture priority setting to get the depth of field. This is straight out of the camera (SOOC)

By the way, she is already tired of me bringing my camera to practice and the games,

“Mom, put the camera away! You have all summer!”

“Yes, my dear, but I need my photo of the day!”

She rolls her eyes, stay tuned for more softball and baseball pictures this year.

Day 141/365: Shotput at the Track Meet

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First Time at Shotput

I’m so mixed up in my numbering for this project, darn! Oh well, everyone is just going to have to bear with me.

Went to a track meet with my fiancee to watch his son throw the shot put. It was significant because he’s an 8th grader and the first year he’s gone out for track. Over 150 kids are in middle school track and they can only take the three top athletes in each event.

This had discouraged him as the majority of practices were running and they only had one day to actually practice throwing before the meet. He made it!

Day 23/365: Ice Skating

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I loved ice skating when I was young. During the 1970’s in Connecticut the best skating was outside, a field would ice over and all the neighborhood kids would gather with skates and hockey sticks. Cities and parks would sponsor outdoor skating rinks by flooding fields and bonfires would be lite to keep skaters warm.

It was wonderful.  I learned to skate with my Dad. He skated backwards and held my hands. Didn’t matter if the ice was bumpy, or cracks made one fall down. It was the whole experience. Even when it  snowed, then shovels came our clear the skating area.  Always thought figure skating inside was cheating in a way, although I liked the smooth ice, it’s just not the same.

Ice skating
Day 23/365: Ice Skating

This rink at Eugene Mahoney State Park in Ashland, Nebraska combines the best of both worlds. A prepared, maintained surface gives the luxury of skating on “good” ice, while the open air pavilion maintains the natural feeling of skating outside. I taught my daughter to skate here and it’s a annual tradition around Christmas to spend a few hours on the ice. The park is located halfway between Omaha and Lincoln and we are very lucky and fortunate the park is so close, skating in the winter and swimming in the summer.

Learn More about Ice Skating in Omaha

10Best: Tara Lipinski’s favorite skating rinks in America

Ice skating can make for a perfect holiday family outing or date, even for those who don’t know a double axel from a death spiral, says Olympian Tara Lipinski, who won the figure skating gold medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics, and now serves as a …
Con Agra Ice Skating Rink opens

(OMAHA, Neb.) – Friday night the Con Agra Foods Ice Skating Rink will open for the season, the latest aspect of the Shine a Light on Hunger Campaign. Mayor Jean Stothert will be on hand to help cut the ribbon on the rink at 6:00 Friday night. The rink …
Outdoor Riverfront ice rink to open Saturday

This year, Wilmington is hoping to get a little taste of that feeling of excitement, wonder and community by importing its own outdoor ice skating rink, which will open Saturday at 11 a.m. on the Riverfront. Millions of skaters aren’t expected in …
Con Agra Ice Skating Rink opens

(OMAHA, Neb.) – Friday night the Con Agra Foods Ice Skating Rink will open for the season, the latest aspect of the Shine a Light on Hunger Campaign. Mayor Jean Stothert will be on hand to help cut the ribbon on the rink at 6:00 Friday night. The rink …
Ice skating! 4 cool things to do in Omaha this week

Show off your skating skills and head to the opening night of the Conagra Foods ice skating rink at 10th and Harney Streets. The rink opens Friday, and you can lace up your skates nearly every day through Jan. 4. (It’s closed on Christmas and New Year …