Visitors and a Baseball Lesson

Craig and Graham don't often have the chance to be social animals.Visitors have been few and far between in recent times. Back in July, Dad's former co-worker Sam came to chat with Graham for an afternoon.

In August, former Taipei Animals goal-machine Ed (not pictured) and his wife Charlie came to town.

Graham seemed to like Charlie.

Craig had fun hanging out with another former Taipei Animal, Michael.

Then, very recently an old friend of Dad, Shigeo, came to visit.

Shigeo even came to watch Craig (number 3) attend a free baseball lesson.

First was throwing and catching practice.

Craig's catching is very dependent on a good throw.

The little baseball mitts were made from beautifully soft leather. Craig seemed to like the one he used.

It was a perfect day to be outdoors having fun.

Craig had never swung a bat at a ball on a T before. He is still unsure whether he wants to swing right-handed or left-handed.

On his first attempt under the guidance of a proper Japanese "baseball instructor" Craig hit the ball very gently off the T. He gripped the bat left-handed and was corrected by the "instructor" who only allowed right-handed battting.

Craig's second attempt at batting was made under the watchful eye of a Taiwanese coach. He allowed Craig to turn around and try batting left-handed. Apart from one air swing, Craig made slightly firmer contact with the ball from the left side than he had from the right. The boy will have to practise at home to work out which side he prefers.