Baseball Games and Seven Year Olds

Bryce has really shown an interest in baseball this summer, so we thought it was only fitting to take him to our local baseball field to see the Lafayette Aviators.  With a little pre-planning, he was scheduled to throw out the first pitch.

Bryce invited his three best friends, Drew, Jackson, and Eamon, while Kari got to bring Marley along.  It was one of the hottest days of the summer, and sitting in the front row behind home plate did not provide much relief from the sun.  

The game, crowd entertainment, and food, however, kept everyone distracted from the sweat dripping in places we really shouldn't mention.  I really can't gush enough how well-run, entertaining, and fun the game was.  The Prospect League is a traveling summer league for collegiate athletes and use wooden bats, which is evidently an unusual thing.

 Drew, Bryce, Eamon, and Jackson

 Marley and Kari

Kari and Marley were some of the kids selected for the on-field contest. 

We felt sorry for the poor marketing intern who drew the short straw for wearing melting in the mascot costume.  Bryce eagerly hammed it up, hopefully making it worthwhile for all involved.

We barely made it to the bottom of the 5th inning before everyone started to fade from the intensity of the sun.  The original plan was to head over to Columbian Park and spend some time at the massive playground.  Instead, we opted to eat an early dinner at the Arni's across the street with its AC at full blast.

And only a short couple of days later, the actual birthday arrived.  Kevin made the traditional number and initial pancakes for the birthday boy.