Photo #115 Play Ball!!!

This evening, Jackson started his "Start Smart" program at the base youth center.  It is a program for 3-5 year olds that focuses on fine tuning various motor skills.  In this case, they are using baseball as basis for their skills.  It is also a parent involved class.  Jason is given a manual and instructions on how best to work with Jackson.  It will definitely be a test of Jason's patience, but I think he did great for the first day!  Here are a few photos from their time together.

The first day, each parent did a basic skills test with their child.  With this test, Jason gave Jackson a basic instruction on what he wanted Jackson to do.  Jason was not allowed to do any coaching yet.  This was so the parents and the class instructor, could see where the children were already at and what skills may need to be worked on more than others.

Here is Jason starting Jackson off at batting.  This would be one of Jackson's strong suits.

Next came throwing.  Jackson can get the ball pretty far.  Now we just need to work on his form.

Finally came catching.  This would be Jackson's weakest link.  I think most kids would be the weakest in this area.  Overall, I think everyone still had tons of fun!

After the parents work with their children for a while, the instructor takes all the kids and he runs them....and runs them....and runs them some more.  I think this is most parents favorite part.  I think he'll be sleeping pretty well tonight! (My camera batter died, so I didn't get any photos of the running.)

To see more photos of Jackson's first evening of baseball, visit: www.picasaweb.google.com/themcginthys.