June 1, 1999
With the coming of summer (FINALLY) we have BASEBALL!! We have moved up this year to live (coaches) pitch, strikes, foulballs, outs and keeping score!

I will have pictures soon, and until then any mom who has ever sat in the rain and wind and watched her baby's first foray into this new world of sportsmanship (we hope the good kind) will appreciate Kenny Rogers brand new single, The Greatest. You can her it if you have real audio here and the lyrics follow..

The Greatest
Kenny Rogers

Little boy
in a baseball hat
stands in the field
with his ball and bat

says 'I am the greatest player of them all'
puts his bat on his shoulder
and he tosses up his ball

and the ball goes up
and the ball comes down
swings his bat
all the way around
the worlds so still you can hear the sound
the baseball falls
to the ground

now the little boy
doesn't say a word
picks up his ball
he is undeterred

says 'I am the greatest there has ever been'
and he grits his teeth
and he tries it again

and the ball goes up
and the ball comes down
swings his bat all the way around
the worlds so still you can hear the sound
the baseball falls
to the ground

he makes no excuses
he shows no fear
he just closes his eyes
and listens to the cheers

little boy
he adjusts his hat,
picks up his ball
stares at his bat

says 'I am the greatest, the game is on the line'
and he gives his all
one last time..

and the ball goes up
but the moons so bright
swings his bat with all his might
and the worlds as still as still can be
and the baseball falls
and thats stike three

now its supper time
and his momma calls
little boy starts home
with his bat and ball

says 'I am the greatest
that is a fact
but even I didnt know
I could pitch like that'

says 'I am the greatest,
that is understood
but even I didnt know
I could pitch that good...'


(*mommy melt*)

On January 20, 1999, imagine my delighted surprise as i get a phone call from my son. "Hey MOM.. im in the paper!!!" while i continue getting this set up.. heres a copy for you to feast your eyes on.. My son the star!!