Our oldest, Jacob, had the privilege of trying out for his baseball league's Summer All-Star Team back in early May. Now, Jacob enjoys playing baseball, but he'd be the first to tell you that it isn't his favorite sport. However, he's pretty good.

The All-Star tryout went well, and he was one of twenty boys invited back for a second day of tryouts. The second day also went well, and we were hopeful that a relative unknown could make the team. Rumor has it as being a tough decision, and that it came down to Jacob and another boy for the final spot, but it was not meant to be.

Jacob had a great time at the tryouts and was disappointed at not making the team. However, he took it in stride and simply took his game to the next level (as all good players do, right?). His team also started winning some games and moving up in the standings, which always helps.

A couple of weeks ago, we found out that the league would be holding two "traditional" All-Star games for the 40+ boys nominated for All-Stars, but who didn't make the summer All-Star team. This was great news, and Jacob was more than a little excited. So what does he do? That's right, he took his game up another notch to close out the season.

Last night (Tuesday night) was the All-Star Game, and what a game it was! The kids had an absolute blast, and Jacob went 3 for 3, with a couple of runs scored, and some nice plays in the field (he played centerfield, 3rd, 2nd, and pitcher--this is coach pitch, by the way). His team rallied from a big early deficit, traded leads late, and ended up losing  a nail-biter, 20-19, in the final at-bat of the game.

We could not be more proud of Jacob for all that he's accomplished on and off the baseball field this year (of course he's a star student, too). He even told me that he has a new favorite sport...