Just like his dad, Jonathan is passionate about his three sports. So come spring, we are racing between the lacrosse fields, baseball diamonds and soccer complex, six days a week. Jonathan's favorite sport is lacrosse. He picked up this East Coast sport as a second grader, with enthusiasm that soon turned into hesitation. I remember after one of the first practices him coming home unhappy because someone had hit him with their lacrosse stick. "Well did you tell the coach?!" was my response. Steve clarified to both of us that this was part of the game. I remember walking him to the field for the next practice, wiping the tears off of his cheeks under his helmet. I drove away not sure if making him stick with the game for the rest of the season was the best parenting move. I arrived a couple of hours later to find Jonathan grinning from cheek to cheek. "Practice was great!" he said, and he has never looked back since. The lacrosse program in our town is outstanding, with the high school always ranked at the top in the state.
Next in line is baseball. Jonathan pitches like a pro, is the designated first baseman when not on the mound, and can always be counted on when up to bat. When Jonathan was only three, I remember he would throw baseballs in the air and hit them with his plastic bat. When he was four I took him to his first T-ball game at Dillworth Elementary School. The coaches' main focus for their pee wees was simply to explain which base to run to first and how to hold a bat. Most players tapped the ball lightly and gingerly ran to first base with their fathers coaching them in which direction to go. But when Jonathan got to bat, he hit the ball far and slid into second, despite the fact that there were no fielders who knew what to do or where to throw the ball. Jonathan still plays with the same enthusiasm and flair for the game as he did as a four year old and I am the lucky mom who gets to watch him. This is the sport in which Steve coaches him, which adds to the fun.
Jonathan is equally fun to watch on the soccer fields. He could be the most aggressive player out there, which results in plenty of ball time, collisions with the opposing players and a whole lot of cheering from the sidelines. Jonathan is also a great goalie, rarely letting a ball through and fittingly has been known as "The Wall".
Although there are benefits to learning to throw the perfect pitch and battling fellow nine year olds for a lacrosse ball is exciting, my favorite part of Jonathan's sports world is the opportunity he has to be part of a team. This means supporting each other and working together for the win. Just like his dad, Jonathan is a great friend, so this comes naturally. When his teammates score, Jonathan is the first on the field to congratulate them. This is one of Jonathan's best characteristics. His success is everyone's success and everyone's success is his success.
In all of the different roles that Jonathan plays on the fields, I am proud of him. He is a true sportsman and our family is lucky to share this with him.
6 comments:
Wow! I wish we were able to see Jono live and in person. I would love to see Jono play Lacrosse, what a fun game. Highland has a pretty good Lacrosse team, but have never seen a game.
I remember Jono getting his first baseball bat and mitt. He looks "Pro" in your pictures. And soccer has a special place in our hearts with Tanner and Gaby playing all the time.
We look forward to seeing you guys this summer. Jono bring your ball and mitt, so we can play catch at Grandmas and on the beach. I'm sure Tanner and Gaby will be prepared with a soccer ball, because they rarely leave home without one.
That is a LOT of sports! Jono seems to be a natural when it comes to sports. I remember his early passion of balls (basket, soccer, football). Jonathan is one of the sweetest boys and I love that he is a team player!
Like Craig, I wish we could watch him play! I used to love watching my nephews play baseball and would love to see J pitch. What's amazing to me that he can play these three sports and not have them conflict. Gaby will more than likely have to choose between soccer and dance next year and already had to choose between ballet and modern this spring because they conflicted. How fun that he can be involved in them all!
What an all-star. I remember watching Jono play tee-ball back in SLC. He was clearly the dominant player on the field, and a favorite among his teammates. From the pictures it looks like he's only getting better as a baseball player. He's also getting a better bubble out of that Big League Chew than I remember.
Keep rockin' Jono. Hopefully we'll see you guys over the summer. Otherwise I'll look out for you on the ESPN Little League World Series.
What great pictures of Jono! I remember watching him play one of those early lacrosse games, with gear that I had never seen before. He was one of the stars already! I also remember taking a whole bunch of pictures of a baseball game that Jono played in and Steve coached. I was impressed with Jono's talent and Steve's devotion!
Jonathan is a true athelete. What a star. Maybe someday jono can do an ironman with his dad. Steve wouldn't have a chance against jono.
What I like about Jono is he can be active and aggressive and at the same time be a very kind and thoughtful person.
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