Since the time Connor started playing baseball 2 years ago, it has quickly become one of his favorite activities. I was excited to discover a youth baseball league here in Dubai called Dubai Little League (DLL). In my research, I noticed that the annual baseball registration takes place at the beginning of the school year in August/September, so I just assumed that we would have to sit out for a year. I contacted the league and inquired about registration for both Connor (baseball) and Kaitlynn (softball), expecting to be told that we would have to wait until the summer to register for next season.
Dubai is quite the transient community, with people and families moving in and out, coming and going, all throughout the year. I guess because of that fact, it is the norm to expect personnel transitions in every situation. The same applies to kids' sports, we learned, because we were thrilled to find out that Connor could join DLL mid-season. In fact, after a brief email exchange with the league, Connor was placed on a team, scheduled for practice, and booked for his first baseball game in a few days! Of course, then the panic set in because Connor hadn't played baseball in 6 months nor did we even have any of our equipment. The coaches and fellow parents, all being understanding of our situation, offered to loan us some baseball gear while we waited for ours to arrive. It was yet another lesson in Dubai living, where everyone has experienced the transition of moving internationally and lends a helping hand.
In a few short days, we loaded up and set out for the Dubai Little League baseball fields. The entire park is sponsored by Emirates Airlines, and we were impressed with the facility. I immediately noticed the urban skyline as a backdrop to the fields -- what a view from the ballpark!
As we explored the park, it didn't take long to feel right at home. I have such fond memories of long days and nights at the baseball fields, and it was reassuring to know we would be having the same experience here in Dubai.
As Connor's new coaches and teammates arrived, everyone was so kind and welcoming. Soon, Connor's first DLL practice was underway. He settled in and had such a big smile as he began getting his groove back on the field.
Fun story from the first practice: Connor and Jeff both wore their favorite Katy Falcons jerseys from Connor's select baseball team last season. When Connor's new coach arrived at practice, he immediately commented about their jerseys. As it turns out, DLL was in the process of putting together a tournament team, and the team name was going to be the Dubai Falcons! The team was having a "tryout" that same weekend, and Connor was invited to participate.
Just a few days after the initial email exchange with the league, Connor was on the baseball field playing for his new team, the Red Sox. He didn't have his jersey yet and he was quite rusty, but Connor fit right in and made an impact right away. During his first game, he played catcher a few innings and even made a big play at home to get the opposing runner out. And he *should* have thrown a big out from catcher to 2nd base, but we don't argue with the umpires. Ha!
Side note: you may notice from the pictures that the umpires in DLL are actually teenagers. I commented to Jeff that they may be on to something here. Parents are a lot less inclined to argue calls when the umpires are just well-meaning kids!
A week later, during Connor's second game as a Red Sox player, he had one of his all-time best games. He hit the 2nd home run of his baseball career, which also turned out to be the 2nd home run that I've missed. What bad luck for Mom! (I was at home receiving the delivery of our belongings from the US.) And during the same game, he ended the game as catcher making a big out at home. Needless to say, Connor is SO happy to be back in the swing of things with baseball here in Dubai!
So thankful that Connor found a team. I know that is so huge for him. What great pics.
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