Catcher vs. Outfield

To say that Ayden has improved in his baseball skills this year from last year would be a truthful statement. He throws the ball better, catches the ball better and is hitting the ball farther. He seems to grasp the idea of the play of the game, ie where to throw the ball once said ball is caught, ect. But there are obvious things that are hold overs from last year. Let me give you a good example of what I mean.

Ayden is really enjoying playing catcher this season. He gets to catch and throw the ball a lot and he is engaged in the game. He still closes his eyes sometimes when the ball comes at him even though he has all the gear on. He is good at controlling the ball and getting it back to the pitcher consistently after every pitch. Dare I say he looks like he even knows what he is doing?

Then they put him out in the outfield and everything he has learned goes out the window. I guess it has improved because he isn't having Star Wars battles by himself. He at least has moved onto playing imaginary baseball games while in a real baseball game.

(In the following pictures notice where everyone's attention is at vs. where Ayden's is at)

He is getting warmed up, he doesn't want to get injured while he sacrifices his body for the ball.

I have no idea, maybe getting in the "zone". Really I don't know!!

"No, No I got it, I got it" Who doesn't want to be the one to catch the game ending pop fly!!!?

And here I assume he is throwing some guy out at home plate to save the game.

There seems to be some discrepancy in his ability to pay attention in these two different positions. He must realize that if he doesn't pay attention behind the plate he will get drilled in the face by a ball. As opposed to the outfield, where balls rarely come. There is an entertaining quality about his outfield antics that I do appreciate though.