Veterans Day Challenge 2014 (Pumas)

We started to finally come together this tournament! We were playing a lot of fall ball games and doing well! So for this tournament we were ready!

Day 2 was at BLD!

Videos below:

-Up Next Cranberry Classic

Desert Fall Classic 2014 (Pumas)

Our next tournament with the Pumas, was the Desert Fall Classic. Took place over Halloween weekend. Xander spent his halloween night, in his Puma uniform, hitting up just a very few houses near Adam's house. Then straight home for early morning games. (He was able to celebrate earlier during the week, so dont feel bad for him).

Xander & Adam warming up:

I couldnt find any videos from these dates. I do have some for the next tournament though!

Next.. Veterans Day Challenge

October Slugfest & Breast Cancer Walk with Pumas

Our first tournament with our new 11U Pumas team was this one! We were super excited! 

Our team:

Xander catching:

I dont remember how we did exactly, but because we were a brand new team, I think we probably lost.

Shortly after the tournament, ALL the puma families got together & raised money for a breast cancer walk. Money going to cancer research.

Las Vegas Pumas

The summer 2014 Art and Xander had gone to some tryouts for this team called the Pumas. I hadnt gone with them to any of these. Art and Xander both really liked Jay Matos who runs the Pumas. Everything the Pumas stood for, the kids must hold good grades, show  respect for parents, teachers, and coaches. The Pumas do a lot of community work as well. Jay was in the process of creating an 11U team, at that time there wasnt one. At that time I think there was one team per age group (if that). They were still working on growing the organization. 

Art had brought Adam with his dad (from Silverado little league) to try-outs as well, knowing that Adam is an great pitcher, this would be great step for him as well. 

I remember when we found out Xander made the team, I actually got this email on July 27th, 2014: 

"We are pleased to announce that if you're receiving this e-mail your son has made the team!

Welcome to the PUMAS!!!"  

We were so excited. Clubball is only for kids who have great skill, its not like NYS, or little league, where everyone gets a spot. (or at least thats not how it was at this time).

Adam made the team as well!

Clubball, parents put a lot of money and time in, for experienced coaches, lessons, tournaments, and exposure for their child to develop their skills. 

Xanders love is baseball, he has played every sport, and always comes back to baseball. So we felt this was the right next step.

Xander got to pick his number for his team, and unlike little league (when he was way younger,going by his age) He now knows a lot more about baseball and baseball players. Even though the Angels are his favorite team, and with Allstars he picked #27 for Mike Trout. For clubball he has been #5 for the former Cincinnati Reds player Johnny Bench. Who is what he says the best all time catcher.

All the Puma gear was fun to (for him and for me). The pic below is one of the newer hats he got. 

Our team was set, and we quickly started to have field practices and cage practice. I liked that the field practices were usually in Henderson. The Cages were at a place called the Dugout. 

Xander knew a few kids from former little league teams and All Stars. All the boys quickly bonded.

This picture is of Xander, Adam, and Robbie. Robbie was the other catcher on the team, Xander got very close to. They are wearing the first set of uniforms we got.

We played many tournaments, and fall league ball with the Pumas.

Practice:

Below is Xander catching for one of his favorite pitchers with the Pumas, Corbin.




Xander leading a cheer, as he did often. This was at one of the tournaments.



Always more videos on my youtube page--> YOUTUBE<--

If you want to know more about the Pumas, who are now the CBA Pumas click -->HERE<--
(The Pumas have grown so much from when we had joined. We still have a great deal of respect for Jay. The day I am posting this (Jan 3rd) we are not with the Pumas, but it had nothing to do with Jay and what the Pumas stand for. They have done great things for their players, & families)

-Up next OctoberSlugFest

Challenger Little League

Every year Silverado little league hosts games for Challenger Little League. If you dont know anything about Challenger, its a league formed for kids from ages 5-18 with physical and mental disabilities to enjoy baseball. Most of the time during their usual season the parents dont usually sit in the stands to watch their child play. They are standing with them at bat, running the bases with them, standing in the field with them. Basically playing the game with them. So Silverado hosts a full day of games, where our boys volunteer to do what the parents have been doing, so that the parents can sit in the stands and enjoy cheering their child on.
The Silverado kids benefit from this day much more than anyone else, I think.

This is the cute girl Xander helped. 

Xander volunteered the next year as well, and he found that same girl, and helped her again!

Not all the Silverado kids volunteer to do this event, though I think they all should. It really is an amazing and humbling experience.

To learn more about Challenger Little League click --->HERE<----