The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

There is a sweet purity to summer that is the essence of childhood. Synonymous with vacation and warm weather the baseball kids' summer days are filled with practices and games. Feet dangling from the benches, the T-ball kids prepare for the game against Chester. Here are some of their thoughts:

Q: If you hit the ball today, what are you going to do?

Lucy Yirsa: Do all my bases.

Q: How hard do you hit the ball?

Kayson Archey: Hard. Over the field. Like 7 (speed).

Hudson Baumgarn: 16 (speed).

Q: Do you think you will play baseball when you are older? How old?

Kiki Overbay: Yes. 6.

Q: What is the easiest thing about playing T-ball?

Sienna Butler: Batting. I hit it super hard.

Avery LaBuda: Me too. I can hit it super hard, but my mom just wants to hit it harder and harder.

Q: What is your favorite position to play?

Georgia Silvan: Second base. It's the prettiest base.

Q. Who do you think invented baseball?

Autumn Witmer: A coach. Because he thought that people could play it and people could like it.

The responses of the kids are so genuine and thoughtful. They are just fledgling athletes enjoying the fresh air and summer sun. They play hard, having learned basics like catching, touching the base for the out, and returning the ball to the pitcher. Amazing feats for such young beginners. Several make it all the way around the bases, running home to cheering parents. As they high five the Chester team, the baseball team begins to warm up in the infield. Their thoughts become more serious with age:

Q. How do you feel about Big Sandy businesses sponsoring you to play?

Samantha Bjornestad: I feel like we appreciate them A LOT.

Q. What is the hardest thing for you in baseball?

Natalie Lavenger: Catching pop flies, because the sun gets in your eyes as the hat goes up all the way.

Q. What, to you, is the most fun thing in baseball?

Isaac Fasteson: Being catcher. The ball whizzes at you. I really like batting, too. When I hit the ball, it's almost like it is pushing back at you.

Liam Simpson: Hitting. Cause you get to hit the ball and when you don't get out, you get to go to first base.

Q. What do you think about playing kids who are twice your age?

Davy Overbay: Really tough (shows muscles).

There is little time to interview the team. They will play the real game of baseball. Innings pass. Pitchers throw to strike out. Batters hit for the fences. Players work to get the runners out. Umpires call it like they see it. At the end of the game, uniforms have blood, dust, and sweat on them. The kids come off having had their abilities and pain levels challenged. Despite everything, they still run off the field standing strong for themselves and their team. The sun sinks over the diamond marking another week of Pioneer Baseball.

Pioneer Baseball again thanks our sponsors. As Jack Perconte states: "Playing baseball for pay - home run. Teaching kids to play the game - priceless." We thank you for giving these kids the chance to play this great game.