Cute kid-ism

We have one little boy (I'll call him Larry) on our baseball team (of 6-, 7- and 8-year-olds) who is ADD, but he is one of those kids who really works hard to try and pay attention. You can tell his parents break everything up for him into very precise segments to make it easier for him.

Last night at practice, we were working with the boys to reinforce the habit of backing people up and thinking ahead of time (a novel concept for these boys, let me tell you) of what to do if the ball comes to you. For instance, a kid playing shortstop needs to know what he is going to do with the ball if it is hit to him. We have had some kids just pick it up and throw it indiscriminately to first or home or pitcher. Others just hold it and look around blankly. So, last night, Larry was playing second base during practice.

Coach: So, Larry, what are you going to do if the ball is hit to you?
Larry: *thinking hard* I'll go to the ball and pick it up with my glove.
Coach: Yes, yes. You will field it. Then, what are you going to do with it?
Larry: *blinking*
Coach: Where do you think you should throw the ball?
Larry: *still blinking* First?

I just cracked up. I love how precise he is. Cracks me up. If you tell all the kids to move back a couple of steps, Larry will count exactly two steps and move that amount.