Once a Little Leaguer, Always a Little Leaguer
A young Jon living his best little league life playing summer baseball.
I had a flashback last night! There's a photo of me in green and gold — bat on my shoulder, trying to look cool, probably eight or nine years old. My dad coached my teams for years. My mom was almost always on the sideline. I played a ton of baseball growing up and honestly, I loved every minute of it.
Yesterday was my mom's birthday. So naturally, I went to a Little League game.
The MudCats at Lion's Park
Our friends' son was playing in the coaches’ pitch division championship for Zionsville Little League at Lions Park. Our whole family came out to cheer on the MudCats. Perfect summer evening, parents up along the fence, kids taking the whole thing very seriously. Exactly what a Little League championship should feel like.
I brought my camera. I always bring my camera.
Crowd sits on metal bleachers cheering on their favorite little leaguers.
A kid who meant business
There was this moment where our friend's son was standing at shortstop between plays — still, focused, glove out in front — baseball ready. He was completely locked in. He wasn't goofing around. He was playing in a championship and he knew it.
Looking at those photos later and then looking at that old picture of me in my green and gold, the thing that got me was how similar the expression was. Different decades, same game, same look on a kid's face when it matters.
Forty years of the same game
Baseball has a way of doing that. The fields smell the same. The sounds are the same. Parents are still gripping the fence the same way they always have. My mom did it for years watching me, and now here I am watching another generation do the exact same things I did as a kid.
It's a good feeling. I highly recommend going to a Little League game if you haven't in a while.
Kids gotta have fun! Taking a moment for some goofiness between innings.
If your kid plays this season
Phone videos from the stands are fine, but if you want photos that actually look like something — the kind you'd frame or actually keep — I'd love to come out to a game. I grew up in this sport. I know what to look for and when. And honestly, it's just a really fun way to spend an evening.
Reach out at and let's talk about your season.
