After a couple of seasons playing baseball in Eagle Lake, Max decided he wanted to try football. Spending your Saturdays in the Swamp will do that to a little boy. We knew we wanted to play in Bartow but didn’t know about how to get started.

After a little bit of looking around, we came across Bartow Ultimate Football and Cheerleading. This league had the right amount of competitiveness, skill instruction and fun. The league also prioritized the safety of the kids which was important. I’ll admit, I was very hesitate about letting my son play. And, yes, I can see the hypocrisy in spending money to watch other parents’ sons play. But, that is a blog for another time.

Rationalizing that football is omnipresent and there is no way I would be able to keep it from him forever we decided to give it a try. And hey, it’s only flags.

Max is a good athlete. For his age, he is a very good athlete. He did well in baseball and got better each year. But, he looks at home on a football field. He has a nose for the ball, great vision and can throw a spiral to you from about 30 yards. When he gains more control of his body he will be a real force.

This is his second year with the team. We won the championship last year. This year we have started 0-3. We only have three returning players from last year and some first-year kids. We have gotten better each week.

He loves it. And, because he loves it, I love it too. So at the end of the day, the score really doesn’t matter. He is making friends and having a blast.

*Pictures courtesy of Bartow Ultimate Football and Cheerleading.