Having a child with special needs can be challenging. Being a child with special needs is likely harder. When their peers run outside for recess or jump off a diving board, some tots with cerebral palsy or debilitating conditions find themselves watching from afar.
If
Michael Phelps had been pulled from the pool, would he have gone on to be the winningest Olympian? It's ridiculous to think that a child could be punished for being too good an athlete, but that's what is happening to Jericho Scott, a 9-year-old little leaguer in Connecticut who has an arm that can throw a fast one. While the pitcher tops off at 40 mph and has never beamed another child during a game, batters have a hard time hitting his pitches, and some parents were concerned when their sluggers went up to bat.
Last Saturday was the
Dog Days of Summer event for the San Francisco Giants. Once a year, the team invites people (and their pooches!) to enjoy a baseball game at AT&T Park. Sadly North and I couldn't make it this time, but next year, I'm buying my tix early!
Tonight I'm off to a
Giants game, and I'm already trying to figure out what I will eat while watching the game. Garlic fries? Nachos?
A League of Their Own always makes me teary-eyed. Not only is it a funny, bittersweet, and touching sports movie, but the true story behind it — of the short-lived All-American Girls Professional Baseball League — is incredibly inspirational. Even watching the fictional movie, I'm always moved by the idea of so many talented female athletes playing together and capturing the nation's imagination during a difficult time.
Celebrating
America's birthday got me thinking about America's pastime, and unfortunately, that means that "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" is stuck in my head. Though the lyric demands peanuts and Cracker Jacks, which one would you pick if forced to choose?
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I watched the following vid and was overjoyed to see a chick finally kick arse at a male sporting event. But a little research later revealed that our bat girl never made this Spidey-inspired catch; the vid is actually a staged advertisement for Gatorade. The illegitimacy of the play makes me wonder if the Gatorade folks are mocking women's athletic potential with this ad, or on the flip side, if they're seeking to unsettle established gender norms and advance the girls-can-do-anything message.
"Take Me Out to the Ballgame" namechecks
peanuts, and
Cracker Jacks, but the song doesn't mention the calorie or fat content of these tasty treats. Even if you aren't a hardcore baseball fan, chances are you might find yourself in a stadium this Summer, noshing on the favorite foods of America's favorite pastime.
To help you make smart choices, I've consulted the always-helpful
CalorieKing and put together a breakdown of popular ballpark eats, including hot dogs, chili fries, and the aforementioned peanuts and Cracker Jacks.
As a baseball fanatic, it has always been a dream of mine to catch a ball in the stands. But I fear breaking a finger or getting nailed in the noggin would prevent me from such "heroic" efforts.
Apparently, this Dadmazing father was none too worried about injuries — to himself or his tot.
If you have a
hard time getting your significant other to exercise, suggest hitting some balls together. Since this is more of a game than a workout, he or she will be more likely to go and play. Plus if he is a fan of watching baseball or softball on TV, he'll probably be psyched that you want to play.
