Variable Information is in red.

 

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TEE BALL is FUN!

 

was created especially for

 

Thomas Allan Parker

at the age of 5

 

With Love From,

Mom and Dad

September 5, 2004

 

 

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When springtime came in Spokane Washington, excitement was in the air.  Flowers were blooming, bees were humming, birds were singing, and something special was going on around the ball park.  It was TEE BALL time!

 

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Boys, girls, playmates, and friends were gathering.  Thomas Parker, along with Anthony and Joshua, stood side by side.  They were on the same TEE BALL team with many other friends.  They were all very happy to be on the The Hornets team together.

 

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  Happy to see them, the coach promised they would practice and learn how to bat, catch, slide, and other important things.  Tommy tried hard to always listen to the coach, to keep his eye on the ball, to swing the bat level, and to play safely.

 

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  TEE BALL games were always exciting.  Tommy's parents came to watch.   So did Anthony and Joshua's parents.  Many other parents and grandparents were in the stands too.  When Tommy and other players did well, they clapped and shouted!  It was fun!

 

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When Tommy came to bat with his helmet on just right, the umpire set the TEE BALL up on the tee.  Tommy took a deep breath and swung the bat with all his might!

 

      Oh, oh!  He swung so hard he spun all the way around - but the TEE BALL was still sitting on the tee.  "Strike one!" the ump called.

 

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Anthony and Joshua shouted, "Go ahead, Tommy!  You can do it!"   Tommy heard someone call out from the stands, "C'mon Tommy! You can hit it!"

 

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Again, the umpire placed the ball on top of the tee.  Tommy eyed the ball and swung straight.  Wow!  What a hit!  It was a hot infield grounder.  Tommy ran like a jack rabbit!

 

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    The shortstop grabbed the ball and threw it to first base, but the throw was not quick enough.  Tommy ran across the bag just beating the ball.  The umpire signaled, "Safe!"

                                                          

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Folks in the stands shouted for joy!  "Yeah, Tommy!  Yeah, Tommy!  We knew you could do it!"  Everyone clapped and cheered.

 

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   After the game, Coach Patterson gave all of the players a high five.  One of the mothers had good, cold fruit punch and cookies waiting for them.  Ummm!  Tommy, along with Anthony and Joshua, and all of their teammates, liked cookies-especially chocolate!

 

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  Tommy and his teammates dreamed of being All-Stars and going to the TEE BALL World Series in Milton, Florida, where TEE BALL Baseball was born.  What a thrill that would be!

 

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  For now, though, they gathered under a big tree to eat their snack.  Coach Patterson said, "You all did a good job today.  I am proud of you!  Did you learn anything that will help you next time?"

 

      Tommy perked, "Keep your eye on the ball!" Anthony and Joshua chirped, "Listen to the coach!  Be a good sport!  Don't be a quitter!"

 

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  "That's right," said the coach.  "TEE BALL is not just about winning.  It is about playing fair and doing what is right.  It is about being a good winner and not being sore if you lose."

 

      Tommy knew the Coach was right!

 

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All of the boys and girls agreed!  Then Coach Patterson grinned and said, "But the best part of TEE BALL is..."  Just then, Tommy and the whole team shouted together,  "TEE BALL is FUN!"

 

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    The Hornets Schedule for 2004