Put me in coach... I'm ready to play

Tonight the Challengers had a night game under the lights... with an announcer an everything.  Please excuse the quality of the photos but most of them were taken from the edge of the parking lot since Sean fell asleep in the car... so all considering not too bad.  

At first glance you might look at this touching picture of a father and his son contemplating the purpose of second base... to stand on it or not.  However upon closer look... SAM IS STANDING!!!   Yes, he is just standing.  Standing - without moving, legs still- standing like a big boy on second base.  This picture might not seem that important but to me it tells me that he is getting stronger, his balance is getting better and that he is now very capable of standing still without dropping to his knees.

Slammin' Sammy Collins is getting ready for his second at bat.  It is hard to see but he has a big grin on his face.  The other team is not even all on the field yet but Sam is ready to go.  He was so impatient that he took the ball off the tee and threw it onto the field and took off toward 1st base.  One of the coaches retrieved the ball (to Sam's great delight) and he is now waiting for everyone to get ready and for someone to bring him a bat.

Another father and son moment on second base.

runnin' bases

I love Sam's expression in the picture... it about says it all.  He might not have the best form but he knows how to get the job done.

Here is Sam sitting in right field cheering on the other team.  Every time they hit the ball Sam had no interest in chasing it down... he just wanted to show some good sportsmanship.  Sam would clap and yell "yeeeeaaaaa" after every hit ball.

***health update.... today was Sam's last day of this last round of antibiotics and he hasn't needed any oxygen in nearly a week.  He has been on antibiotics, sometimes 2 at once, since March.  Obviously, he is feeling better and I think the sinus infection and bronchitis are under control at this time.  He has been home from school for 2 weeks now and sadly missed his last day, aside from a brief visit today to say a quick good-bye to his friends and teacher.  Summer school starts next week and I think he will be excited to go back.  It was good to see him running all over the place tonight.