Baseball Playoffs – Game 1

It’s playoff time, and Alan’s ascent on the diamond this summer led him to being named the Marlins lead-off hitter for this year’s playoff run!

At Saturday’s practice, Alan got the attention of his manager, Coach Mark, by clocking the fastest time of anyone on the team from home to first base (3.42 seconds).  Even so, we were still surprised to learn two hours before tonight’s game, via a text to coaches, that Alan would be featured atop the lineup and playing center field.

Alan responded by going 2-for-3 with a double, run scored, and a career-high 3 RBIs.  Despite Alan’s big game, the Marlins dropped a closer-than-the-score-appears 31-12 decision to the top ranked Cardinals.  The Marlins led 3-2 after 1 inning, were tied after 2 innings, and were only down 12-8 after 3 innings.  But then the flood gates opened in the 4th and 5th innings for the Cardinals.

After grounding out to 1st base to start the game, Alan settled in during his next plate appearance in the 2nd inning.  He came through with a clutch 2-out, seeing-eye single into left field that plated 2 runs and pulled the Marlins within a run at 6-5.  Coach Mark congratulated Alan from the mound, calling him the fastest player on the team after the big hit.

In the 4th inning, Alan hit yet another RBI double and would later come around to score to help keep the Marlins in the game.

In the field, Alan and the other outfielders were busy tracking down deep hits by the Cardinals.  Alan was positioned in center field in the first place due to use his speed to chase down the balls hit by the Cardinals’ murderers row, including Noah.

The playoff tournament is a double-elimination tournament, so the Marlins remain alive and will play the Mariners tomorrow with the season on the line.

Notes:

-Alan & De’Onta and Noah — the All-Stars from Mrs. Harris’ class — exchanged playful grimaces with each other throughout the game.

-Alan spent the afternoon getting ready for the game at the Highland Heights pool.  It might need to be part of his pregame routine.

-Alan got the news about leading off while at the pool.  He was nervous about hitting first, but he had been telling me most of the summer that he was ready to hit near the top of the order.

2019 Chicago Trip

7/25: Arrive, Target, McDonald’s, Lincoln Logs/Indians

7/26: Mini-golf at Par King (Red Course and Black Course – Alan had a hole-in-one on each), Lunch at Il Forno, Train Garden (Bumble Bee was out; we did a scavenger hunt), Library, Ice Cream, McDonald’s, Indians

7/27: Train to Union Station and Water Taxi to and from Navy Pier (to ride the ferris wheel), Mini-golf, Ice Cream, McDonald’s, Indians

7/28: Depart

New Bicycle

Since the start of summer, Alan’s been in the market for a new bicycle.  Tonight we found the perfect 20″ green Schwinn mountain bike at Dick’s Sporting Goods!

Alan loved  the color, the number of available gears (7), and the front and rear lights.  I also liked the adjustable seat and the front and rear brakes.  Once I saw how this one excited Alan, I knew we weren’t going to leave the store without it.

Now Alan’s ready to ride this summer!

Piano Recital

Alan performed “Ecossaise” beautifully today at the Music Settlement’s annual Suzuki Solo and Graduation Recital.  He’s becoming a pro at recitals now!

The performances were followed by the end-of-year picnic and awards presentation.  Alan was once again among those recognized for meeting the 100-day practice challenge.

After the event, Alan cashed in his Music Settlement scholarship with Magna-Tiles and Magtastix!

6/4/19 Update:  Alan performed a duet of “Berceuse” at John Carroll tonight with his Tuesday night Suzuki [method] partner, Pascal.  On Tuesdays this year at the Music Settlement, Alan played with both Pascal and George until George moved out of state midway through the year.

Baker Mayfield Football ProCamp

This weekend Baker Mayfield held his first ever football camp at Mayfield High School.  Alan did not participate in the camp, but we stopped by the football field to watch the camp for a little while, since it was in our backyard.  Baker addressed the participants and the crowd at one point.  Later, after the local media finished interviewing Baker, I had a chance to speak to Mary Kay Cabot and Tony Grossi.  I wished them well covering a soon-to-be winning team again!

The atmosphere at the event definitely felt like that of a Browns tailgate.  Alan left with two pretty cool Baker shirts and a pack of football cards that we bought at the souvenir stand.  We were both glad that we stopped by.

2019 St. Clare Festival

The summer carnival season kicked-off with Alan meeting up with Brady, Xavier, and Cassidy at the St. Clare Festival tonight.  The boys enjoyed some old favorites, including the flying bananas,  merry-go-round, and spinning barrel of monkeys.  But Alan could not get enough of the new boats!  He spent a good chunk of the 4 hours we spent at the festival on the boats – both riding solo and jointly with Brady and Xavier.  He loved every minute of it.