Tuesday, May 10, 2011

No Crying in Baseball Tablescape


It's that season, where young children take to Little League Fields all over the United States.  Going to Little League games was a huge part of our summer for many years as our son played for nine years.  This year, when the chance came to build some benches for his Eagle project, he was excited because he had loved playing baseball. Click HERE to see that post. 

When he was really young, we asked him if he could run faster when he ran around the bases; he ran around the bases like a grandpa. He replied with some exasperation in his voice, "It's just a game!" Such wisdom in one so young.


This sign hangs in his room. We may not have shed many tears, but I remember many tense moments.

"Would he strike out?" "Would he walk?" "Would he catch the ball?"

I wish I would have relaxed more and just enjoyed the game.


 The mit in the center was his when he played T-ball.  I can't imagine his 17-year old hands ever being that small.  


Popcorn and a snack mix is featured on my table, but the players always ate sunflower seeds in their shells.  Oh, how I worried about his teeth.


They say baseball is our National Pastime and I would agree.  I have been to a few professional baseball games (yawn), but if you want action, stop by a Little League Field in your neighborhood.

I found these red, white, and blue, straws at the Dollar Store.  I use my bubble glasses often and I always include a bubble view of the table.


These cookies are more softball-sized than baseball-sized.  They are made from my, newly found, sugar cookie recipe.  Click HERE for the recipe.


Just another shot of the table.


No Crying in Baseball

We moved to a new area, a small community, the last year he played baseball.  I saw him struggle to fit in and have the boys accept him.  It wasn't easy, and he wanted to quit, but I encouraged him to stick it out at least until school ended.  No crying in baseball means, I guess, to suck it up.  He did, and by the end of the season he found his way and prospered.  And then before you knew, and before we were ready, he decided he wanted more freedom in the summer and that he wanted to play high school soccer. 

His career was ended and we were left with many wonderful memories of time spent on the baseball field. 


Thanks for dropping by my Red Couch and reliving our Baseball Memories.




29 comments:

Julie Harward said...

Loved your post...I can just hear.."Take Me Out To The Ballgame"...I do love baseball. Good for your son for sticking with it too! :D

Marigene said...

"Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack...
I would much rather have one of those delicious looking cookies! Cute table, Joni.

d e l i g h t said...

Sounds like you have some great memories! The table looks really great.

Barbara F. said...

Great post, love the red, white and blue and the popcorn containers, I found those in the Christmas Tree Shop. Good advice for your son. xo,

Marlis said...

Thank you for sharing this heartfelt post. It brought back many memories of sitting on baseball bleachers for 17 years. 17 years, two boys, for love of the game. Your table is lovely, the cookies fabulous, but the memories, well they are priceless. Enjoy them.

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

The tribute to your boy of summer is so touching. I can relate, for I too had a little baseball player who played for years and years.

Awwwwww, look at all those All American treats, the flags and the trophy! This is a darling and detailed table. Your heart must melt everytime you pick up your son's T ball glove. Isn't it hard to believe that your little boy could be so grown up? I know it is hard for me to believe it.

Thank you for sharing this very very percious and special table!
Yvonne

The Inspired Nest said...

I write this as tears run down my face. I was just complaining that I don't have time to blog and do what I want and your post put it all into perspective. My son is 13 and baseball is our life right now. I don't think we will have many days free all summer because of baseball. It does go by so fast, so I will sit here and enjoy blogs like yours and know that one day I will have plenty of time to do what I want. Thanks for such a beautiful tablescape and thoughts!
Lacy

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Great tablescape and they grow up so fast. Thanks for joining WUW.

Diane said...

How quickly they grow up. This lovely tablescape is such a charming way to pay homage to your son and his accomplishments. And what a great way to bring back all those happy memories!

Sue said...

What a fun tablescape, Joni! This all sounds so familiar. My son played baseball for nine years also. I remember saying quite a few prayers during each game, that he would do well(It was kind of nerve-wracking). He still LOVES sunflower seeds and the L.A. Dodgers. It sure is bittersweet as they grow up isn't it? :)

Jacqueline said...

What a nice tribute to him and to baseball too. I adore the sign! I think there is crying in every sport isn't there! I remember years when we had 3 playing baseball during the summer and we just ran from game to game. I have to admit I would be so glad when they would finally lose and be out of the tournament! Great job! You are always so creative (and thoughtful too!)

Debbie said...

I was just thinking about little league ball last night. I saw a bunch of little boys gathered at the local ice cream store and remembered how the winning team was always treated to a cone when we were growing up. Since my dad was the coach, I got a little treat whenever his team won.

Memories.

I love your tribute table to your son and the game. I can't think of a single table that you have created that didn't make me smile.

arin said...

so sweet, I don't have any baseball players (mine are footballand soccer) but the sentiment is the same! Happy day, Anne

Joy Tilton said...

Loved the tablescape and the memories! Joni, what you haven't thought about is one day in the future there may be other baseball games you will attend and cheer...grandchildren are the trophies I'm talkin' about!

Sue said...

What a cute table. Baseball wasn't our thing at our house. The kids did t-ball, my son did a couple years of Little League and my daughter played a few years of softball but I remember offering to pay them to stop (they said no). We ended up with a basketball player turned track and cross country star and one that did track and cross country but preferred Show Choir and the school plays. I never could get into all those nights at the ball field, but my husband loved those years!

Renée said...

How adorable Joni!

I have loved watching my 7 year-old grandson play this season. It's made our move so important and before you know it, your son will trade in that mitt for a MTC name tag! Then you will cry, I promise!

Your brought in all the players here and won the game!

Kathleen said...

Loved your story, brought back many memories of games when my son was young. Now he coaches 3 of the 4 of his little ones.
Love the table, and will try the recipe. My gkids love sugar cookies, and yours are adorable!

jninecostumes said...

Such a great table with the perfect inspiration

Sarah said...

Joni, this is a perfect post to follow Mother's Day. Such sweet memories for you! Your table is fun! ~ Sarah

Tess said...

What a sweet tribute to one of the iconic things in american childhood...BASEBALL. I am a HUGE baseball fan and have been formulating a baseball table. I never had any little leaguers of my own, but we all played in the empty lot in our neighborhood when we were kids.

Great table!! (Those cookies look great!!)

Unknown said...

Hey battr, battr, ya hit a home run....with this post! What a great memory you have.

Denise at Forest Manor said...

Hi Joni,

This is such a wonderful, sentimental post!! I love all the elements on the table, but I really love your story. Our son earned his Eagle Scout rank almost three years ago, so I know how proud you must be right about now. As soon as I saw the title of your post, I couldn't wait to view it. When I hear that phrase I always think about one of my favorite movie lines ever, from "A League of Their Own". Such a fun movie! Now about your table -- I love your bubble glass goblets with the red, white and blue straws, the red pots with geraniums and American flags, the baseball cookies, the red and white boxes of popcorn, and of course, the statue and your son's baseball mit. This is a really special tablescape!

Hugs,

Denise at Forest Manor

Mary said...

How fun is this?! Love your straws, popcorn, trophy & adorable T-ball glove on the table! And your cookies are too cute :-)

Jen @ Domesticated Nomad said...

Your table looks fantastic. I love "A League of Their Own" and say there's no crying in baseball all the time. Even when it has nothing to do with anything. Maybe the kids are whining over something and I might just respond with there's no crying in baseball. I wonder if this will cause confusion that will lead to therapy? ;) Oh, well. There's no crying in baseball!

Tablescapes By Diane said...

Hi lovely lady.
You did a lovely job on your Tablescapes for the no crying in baseball !!!
Im your newest follower on your lovely Blog.
I also hope you and your family have a Great weekend. I hope you come over and join my Blog,
Diane

Lea said...

This made me cry!! How adorable. We LOVE baseball too!! Cute sign!

Unknown said...

I just want to say that I love stopping by Between Naps on the Porch to see what you ladies have created.
I'm never disappointed.

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming said...

Fantastic tablescape... It screams all american - Love it! Hope you had a wonderful weekend ~ Stephanie Lynn www.bystephanielynn.com

. said...

That is a fantastic tablescape!! It's scream "American" or "Fourth of July"...or "Memorial Day"....should I go on? LOL :)

Engageya