Reports are that they all slept very well last night, poor little Nomeda did not make it out of the parking lot from the game last night, sound asleep before the car doors were even shut. Grant Mullen, President of NMVLL and the host family for VN and Arnie, is now I gather hooked on Lithuanian Brandy, why bother to use a snifter when a wine goblet holds so much more of the delicious amber liquid.
A good portion of the day was spent at Betsy’s house, highlights included:
- A salt water swimming pool in her backyard, an ocean at a house, amazing.
- Played basketball, of course she has a hoop.
- Foosball, as her house is made entirely of the male species, poor Betsy, the formal dining room was eliminated years ago and is the Foosball capital of Mission Viejo. The new reigning champion, beat all comers, VN. Who knew, he rocks at Foosball.
- An orange tree in the backyard along with the pool. Tree is full of fruit, to be able to pick an orange and eat it sitting under the tree from whence it just came, a huge treat. Many pictures taken pretending to eat the orange right of the tree, a hoot had by all.
- Weather has been perfect, high 70’s low 80’s during the day, mid 60’s at night.
They have now been with the NMV host families for roughly 30 hours and it has begun. At the games tonight, “that’s my kid, think the ump is squeezing my kid, strike zone should be a little bigger for my kid, that’s my kid pitching, hey Sammy you see that play-my kid” etc. etc. etc. Of course they are all talking about their Lit visitor, know we are going to have tears
when they move Monday over to Ladera Ranch families. They have been warned that I do not do Mom tears and they will be doing squats if I see tears. The killer quote of the night, “want my kid to love me more than the Mom they have next week”.
Of course the Lit kids are the most well behaved, most polite, most thankful kids these folks have encountered. All hoping that their own kids learn valuable lessons on deportment from the Lit kids.
The NMV Yankees coach from last nights second game, went out today and got them all cups and sliding pants. He was aghast that only the catcher wears a cup and they are sliding with just uniform pants on. Hour and a half practice before tonight’s doubleheader and then games at 5:00 PM and 7:30 PM at Viejo LL. Viejo did a great job of hosting, fields looked awesome. Announcers for the games, national anthem played, 4-man umpire crews, a different crew for each game, awesome. Steak meal between games and burgers and hot dogs after the second game.
First game the Lits took a beating, mercied after 4 innings 16-4 to the Red Sox. With no outdoor practice at home, the outfielders are having a terrible time adjusting or seeing the ball off the bat. When they throw pop fly’s to each other, no issue, but of the bat, Big Problem. Probably had five outs an inning if the ball would have been caught. Also pretty sure none or very few of these kids have played under the lights before, different experience as we all know. Post game the Red Sox gave each Lit a bag with new batting glove, a league pin and other goodies.
Second game, THE LITS WIN 10-4 beating the Cubbies. Great infield defensive and solid pitching, Petronis throwing 81 pitches and the closer Vilimas throwing only 18 pitches to close out the 6th inning. Little Ed, “Commander Sam, we rocked the second game, we get better every game.” Gotta love the kid.
Cubbies gave the Lits another bag filled with goodies and one of the Dads from the team works for Hyundai, so there were all given beautiful duffel type bag with the Hyundai logo on it. Every bag is going to be needed to get all the stuff home.
Grant Mullen tells me even after only a day and half, he can no longer get his car in the garage, donated equipment, uniforms etc. filling it up. The poor Ladera parents who host VN, are going to need a truck just to get the stuff to their home. How all of this is going to be checked baggage is beyond me, but VN keeps saying, No problem it will all work out. Viejo today gave them over 300 t-shirts, uniforms etc. One of the local club teams, The Knights, gave a complete set of Knight’s uniforms, including belts, hats, socks, the whole shebang, gorgeous.
Bob Slabinski came by the game with his Bride. He has been selected to go again to do the EMEA Seniors which will be held in Lithuania, and Bob has been anointed the UIC for the tournament. He and Arnie talked thru the umps that are coming etc., how cool is that Bob is not only going back again, but got to meet the TD for the tournament almost in his backyard, Bob lives about an hour or so away from me in Corona.
The big news, Ana and Egilidus flew over to Vegas today, be there for two days. The big plan is to get married by Elvis in one of those chapels, not sure Ana has agreed to this or maybe even knows of this plan. Will update when I get the story upon their return.
Great day had by all the Lits, the host families and the folks at Viejo LL.
