- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- dads today articles
- dads today q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Rites of Spring
The Father-Daughter Bond By Jay Sauls
But what is the cheer I hear from the dugout? A player confidently glides up to the plate. The bases are nearly filled with runners. The weeds have been removed from the base paths and replaced with chalky lines. A boy leads off second and third. There are two outs and the home team is down by a run. The batter spits on the handle of the bat to better the grip. Toes claw into the dirt to secure the stance. The pitch comes in a little high, but the batter adjusts quickly and sends a scorched shot up the middle. I watch as the center fielder scoops the ball and fires it home. The catcher swipes at the second runner but misses. Both runners score.
I'm standing against the fence watching as the players stream onto the field and mug the batter. The helmet flies off and dark curly hair tumbles out. She laughs and high fives her teammates. They carry her off the field and disappear back into the wind.
The breeze blows hard again and lifts the blanket away from Dakota's face. She squalks a momentary protest at being awakened against her will. With her right hand she reaches down and flings a toy from out of the stroller and across the bleachers. "Ooh, a left hander!" I say to myself. A kid of about 10 picks it up and under-hands it back to Dakota.
"She's got a good arm, mister!" He waves with his glove and joins friends that are just showing up.
