Youth Sports Post: Iris Trophies

It has not been unusual in the past for me to post photos of youth sports. Both of my sons have been involved in sports for the past eight or nine years. That meant we were involved, too.

That changed over this past year, and now neither son is active in organized sports. I miss it.

So imagine my delight a few weeks ago to see this photo of my granddaughter Iris just embarking on her sporting career. She just turned four, and she's all kitted out and taking over the pitch.

Imagine my further delight to receive this photo today of Iris and her best friend posing with their trophies. I believe these are participation trophies, but they couldn't be prouder or happier if they had won the World Cup. 

I couldn't either. Nicely done, girls.

Isaiah and Jeremiah, eat your hearts out.

Youth Sports Post: Soccer Tournament

I usually spend the longest day of the year on the lake, but this year I was in Pasco, Washington for a soccer tournament. I've mentioned before that my son Isaiah is playing this summer for the FC Spokane U-17 team. This is club soccer, a step up from high school sports. This was Isaiah's first chance to play with them in a tournament, and it was our first chance to see him play with them. So it was two nights and three games away from home.

We learned that five of their regular players couldn't be at the tournament, which explained the fact that they lost all three games. But the coach explained that it was OK, that the main reason for playing was to get ready for the next tournament, which is more important somehow.

So it was hard work for Isaiah and the team. Isaiah was discouraged the first day, but by the end of the tournament he was feeling good about the improvement he had made.

As usual, we thought he played great.

So Long, March

Youth Sports Post: Spring Sports

With Spring comes spring sports.

My son, Jeremiah, will play baseball. These photos are from practice. We've had one game but Jeremiah didn't play because of grades, alas. We lost. I think he's got those grades up now, so maybe he can help us to our first win this weekend.

Soccer has kicked off as well.

That's Isaiah's sport. Last month he made the FC Spokane U18 team, and will play for them this summer.

As for the high school season, he, too, hasn't played yet because of grades, more's the pity. But he's busted his butt to be eligible, and should be playing this weekend. So far we have a record of 2 and 1, and Isaiah's return, I believe, will help us get firmly on the winning track.

Isaiah did play in a pre-season jamboree, and our team dominated. Isaiah looked very good.

I was surprised to see that last photo of mine on the front page of the Sports section in the local paper.

Actually, it's not mine. It was taken by Al Camp, one of the local sports reporters. I was out there taking photos, and so was he. He came over to talk to me, and give me pointers, so we were standing right next to each other when we shot the same play just a split second apart.

Youth Sports Post: It Was a Great Run While It Lasted

(Photos by Brent Baker, Reporter/Photographer, Okanogan Valley Gazette-Tribune)

I'm late in reporting that the football season is over. Last Friday, on a frigid night, on a field far away, our hometown team met its match, losing in the state quarterfinals 21 to 6.

Our opponents were a very good team, and we played them tough. We shut them down several times, and drove into the red zone several times ourselves, but we just couldn't get our game going. I was proud that Isaiah had the honor of running in our only score.

He had another good game, putting in a hard night's work of grinding runs, but wasn't able to break the big run this time. The week before he had run for 232 yards and four touchdowns, and passed for another touchdown, so we were hoping lightning would strike twice. But it was not to be.

Isaiah's take? He wished he could have done better, but was proud of his effort. He had tried his best, and gave due credit to the other team's good defense.

After the game the team was disappointed in the loss, but knew they could hold their heads high. It had been a good game, and one of the best seasons we've had in a long time. A big chunk of the team are Seniors, and they know they're going out on a high note.

So I'll close with one of my favorite photos of Isaiah. This was him a few games ago heading for the end zone and leaving everyone else behind on a 97 yard touchdown run against one of the best teams in the league.

Very well done, Isaiah.


Update: So today Jeremiah, who I'm also very proud of for his work on the football team, found out he made the varsity basketball team, so everything is basketball now for him. (I'll be so happy to be videotaping in a nice warm gym again!)
As for Isaiah, he's dreaming about an early spring and the beginning of soccer season.

Youth Sports Post: Couldn't Be More Proud

Isaiah and Jeremiah

Youth Sports Post: Senior Night

Youth Sports Post: Jeremiah Gets His Turn to Break One For a Touchdown

Jeremiah played in the JV game on Monday. On Varsity, his big brother Isaiah is the primary running back, and Jeremiah plays mostly defense. But on JV, Jeremiah gets the opportunity to stretch his legs.

It was mostly hard going in the game on Monday, and he was pretty sore the next day. But he broke one for an 80 yard touchdown run. Pretty sweet, and, I have to say, a sign of things to come.

Nice work, Jeremiah.

Youth Sports Post: Win Number Two

Our team got a victory in game two, but neither of our boys played. Isaiah had a hamstring issue, and Jeremiah had an unexcused absence issue. Both had improved by last Friday, I'm happy to say, and took the field for game three. I haven't had time to work on the video, but I extracted a few frames for this report.

It's still amazing to me to see them on the field together. Jeremiah is number 29, and Isaiah wears number 24.

Isaiah had another stellar game, running for four touchdowns. Here he sweeps left for his first score.

And here he breaks free for a forty yard gain.

Jeremiah had said after the first game that he didn't think football was fun. It probably wasn't then. He plays defense, and got blocked hard for most of the game. So this time he decided to be proactive, I guess. He seemed to have lots of fun, especially on kickoffs like this one.

He would level his man, then pop up to get in on the tackle. He also got this beautiful solo open-field tackle.

And, as a corner back who takes his inspiration from the Seahawks' Richard Sherman, he covered his man like a rug and broke up a pass on this play.

So we had another great Friday night under the lights, and our team went away with a 41 to 6 win to bring their record to 2 and 1.

Now I have a few things to do before heading down the road for a Monday game. Jeremiah will play with the Junior Varsity today against one of our chief rivals. Word is they're pretty good this year.

Looking forward to it.