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Crittenden Gets It Done

Ian Crittenden, age 11, hits the walk-off single, batting in the run that ended a 12-12 tie in the 8th inning of a 6-inning playoff game.

He also doubled twice, batting in a couple more runs, and as second baseman, tagged one out at second and in another play, ran to cover first while the first baseman chased the ball, and tagged out the runner there.  I was working and had to be satisfied with cellphone updates. He’s one of the junior members of a team of great players that has become a juggernaut in the 11-13 age group “majors.” The Pirates are now somewhere around 17 wins, 2 losses.  Mikey, Davy, Neil, and Pat, all solid pitchers and hitters. Mike, Cam, Cullen, powerhouse hitters.  Nick, Petey, James, and Ian, good fielders, solid hitters, clutch players. “Hollywood” Mikey pulled off a great catch as shortstop a few week ago, when he rolled 360 degrees and came up with that line drive, pivoted and got the guy out at second. Next inning, he did it again, on a straight dive, up and pivot. Mike and Cam have both put ‘em out of the park.

Lessons learned:  know your job, do your job. Pay attention.  Be where you are supposed to be when you are supposed to be there.  Always run, never walk.  Pay attention.  Swing fast and hard at strikes. Forget bad calls and strikes and keep playing. Be a good sport. Good work, Coach Hillner, and thanks. Gotta like a coach who knows how to work kids, how to demand results and how to praise them, including kids on the other team for their good plays and good hits. 

Oh, yeah, Ian also just won the 5th grade Social Studies award, and makes moms swoon because he is so polite and considerate. 

It’s my blog, and I’ll brag if I want to.

While I’m at it, daughter Alex, 13, can jump a horse and made it back up and turn a corner on the first try. She also got a B upgraded to an A on her final science project, because she went up and told the science teacher he was wrong, and he had to agree. 

Daughter Devon, 9, can make an omelet almost entirely by herself, is supremely self-confident and not without reason, is a math whiz and has a killer fashion sense.

Babe the bulldog, four months old, knows “sit,” and sometimes “fetch” and “come.” Stops doing what he is not supposed to when told “no.” Is attempting to establish better relations with the cats and working real hard not to have any more accidents.  Good dog, Babe.

The kids are almost as well-behaved as the dog. My wife and I are not sure what we did to deserve any of this, but we have worked hard at it. Thank you.

OK, I’m done now.  

Topics: other

  Posted by Jules Crittenden at 2:00 am on Thursday, June 21, 2007

8 Responses to “Crittenden Gets It Done”

1. El Cid Says:
   June 21st, 2007 at 8:08 am

   Critt, you have the right to brag. You have three Crittenden’s that will continue, as they grow, to raise the long line of the Crittenden family banners, high.

   Bravo, to Ian.

2. El Cid Says:
   June 21st, 2007 at 8:12 am

   OH and bravo, to you, for playing your part, in newspaperdom, reporting from on scene, Blogging and the making of the future, Crittenden’s. Ummm, and Mrs. Crittenden, too…:).

3. drbearma Says:
   June 21st, 2007 at 8:58 am

   You do realize Jules that when the bat hits the ball, a certain amount of heat is generated which means that your son has just contributed to global warming!! If the Goreacle ever realizes this, most sports will have to be eliminated (and only played at his and John Edwards global warming free mansions)!

   Kidding aside, congrats to your son and to you for a continuing fine blog!

4. The_Real_JeffS Says:
   June 21st, 2007 at 9:51 am

   Bragging is a natural right of all parents, Jules. Especially in your case!

   But I have to know…..do you put leashes on all the kids, or just on Babe? ‘-P

5. RebeccaH Says:
   June 21st, 2007 at 10:08 am

   Brag away, Jules. It’s our consolation for all the other stuff our kids do to us.

6. sarah rolph Says:
   June 21st, 2007 at 11:37 am

   You Go, Li’l Critters!

7. saltydog Says:
   June 21st, 2007 at 2:29 pm

   What a joy to hear about kids and baseball! It warms my American heart, especially when I hear such positive things. I think baseball, when taught and played properly (i.e., not fanatically imposed upon by rabid parents) has more life lessons to teach than any other sport.

   Thanks for doing your bit in civilizing the next bunch of little savages. ;^)

8. shoosh Says:
   June 22nd, 2007 at 12:45 pm

   It’s just not right. I’m 40 years old and still can’t make an omelet.
   They always end up looking like scrambled eggs with stuff in ‘em.

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