Firsts

First baseball game, first up to bat, first pitch, first ball to the face; smack in the mouth! Ouch, really big ouch. Blood everywhere, two dental hygienists, and one EMT later they are pretty sure he won't lose his two front teeth. A week later they were still really loose so we went to our dentist. X-ray confirmed they were firmly rooted with no damage so she said no biting/chewing at all and no baseball until they are firmed up and the pain is gone. Let me just say that the picture doesn't do it justice at all. The poor thing couldn't even close his mouth around a straw to sip a smoothie. He was hungry for a couple of days before he could really eat anything. Then everything had to be cut in tiny bites so his front teeth wouldn't be doing any biting at all.

Practicing before heading to the game.

The best part? This kid was pitching crazy; balls to the arm, back, shoulders. We were all making comments like it was time to let him have a breather before someone gets hurt. The two up to bat right before Zack got beaned in the head. I make the comment, "Wow, you need a suit of armor to play this kid pitch stuff!" Everyone laughs, then Zack gets it in the mouth. Needless to say they bought all new helmets with face guards. Funniest thing. No one was hit after Zack (the umpire called for a new pitcher - duh!) and we are now in month two game 8 or something like that, and no one has been hit since. Just one of those things.

The real best part? Zack conquered his fear and got right back up to bat the very game after the dentist declared him fit to play again. Way to go Zack!

The other best part? One of the members of the other team came over and asked Zack how he was. I was so impressed by this boy. No one told him to, no one was with him. He wasn't even following a good example, like say of the coach for the other team or the boy who pitched to his mouth, nope none of that happened. This boy just genuinely cared. Now that's an example, way to go boy whomever you are wherever you are. We sure appreciated that!