The Last of Little League

Yesterday was Joe's last game with his city little league team. Not only did his team get first place in the city and go to the state tournament this year, they did they same things last year. There are some pretty good players on his team. Joe is not a terrible player, he's just not as good as some of the other boys who got to play more. Joe didn't see much action in the left field. The action he did see was a bit scary. Joe's shinning moment this year was his Grand Slam home run. He was so excited, he didn't even care that his team lost the game. Joe really enjoyed his team and was a great support to all of his team mates. I could always hear Joe in the dugout goofing off and joking with his fellow teammates. He would say things like "if you strike out, I'll poke you in the eye." His sayings always seemed to inspire and help the other players. Listening to Joe got me thinking of all of the things that I could say when I go to a major league game. (I think that most of the mayor league players were little league players and they probably remember some of the encouraging phrases that the parents and crowd would yell out). I have decided to include some of these helpful phrases in case anyone needs to yell out encouraging words at a baseball game.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Three up..... Three down!
To the pitcher....Relax... just play catch with the catcher!
Pitch right to the mitt!

To the players at the bases: _(Deanna)__it's coming to you! (this was always yelled at me. It really got my attention!)
Good arm (very handy saying.. this can be used a lot during the game)
2 down, any base!

To the batter.....Make him throw you a strike!
Way to watch it!
Good eye..good eye!
Good arm... good arm! (these are usually repeated at least twice)
Base hit scores a run!
Just a base hit now!
You're a hitter... or Be a hitter
Just make contact
Watch the ball hit the bat!
Keep your chin down
Keep your eyes open (this one I made up just for Joe)