Atlanta has the Braves. Boston has the Sox. New York has the Giants. Phillie has the, uh, Phillies.
And, as of this week, our very own 12th Avenue South has the Scrappers – a rascally band of base-stealing rogues who gathered around our neighborhood baseball diamond last Tuesday evening for a spirited game of pickup wiffle ball.
imogene + willie’s brand new Sandlot Plus Caps arrived from Ebbets Field the day before the big match, so we thought we’d let the Scrappers give them a test run. The caps are adjustable via a pliable leather strap – a feature enjoyed by the patient group of parents who were instrumental in setting up the get-together and who helped us suit up the team – and made of absorbent cotton, something that the kids appreciated since they kept their faces cool and shaded in the late afternoon sun.
After wearing them for a few runs ‘round the bases, it was official: the Scrappers agree that the Sandlot Plus Cap is a hit, pun intended.
During the post-game dinner of pizza and popsicles, we spent some time chatting with each member of the team about sports, school, summer vacation plans, and, you know, life: it’s always good to pay attention to what the Our Voices of the future have to say about things like that.
So, without further ado, we bring you the 2011 roster of the dirty dozen we lovingly call the 12South Scrappers.
Name: Jules
Age: 5
What’s the name of your favorite pro baseball team? “The Cubbies.”
Do you have any hobbies? “Playing guitar.” Jules can play the Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine”!
Name: Henry
Age: 7
What’s the name of your favorite pro baseball team?“The Giants.”
Do you have any hobbies? “I play lacrosse and football; Virginia is my favorite team.”
Name: Toby
Age: 7 1/2
What’s the name of your favorite pro baseball team? “I play soccer, basketball and football.”
Who are your sports heroes? He likes LeBron James and Chris Johnson of Wisconsin.
What do you want to be when you grow up? “A soccer player.”
Name: Hayes
Age: 4
What’s the name of your favorite pro baseball team? “I like soccer. That’s my bestest game. I play it in the spring.”
Do you have any hobbies? “I want to go to work just like my dad!”
Name: Nadine
Age: 3 1/2
What are you up to this summer? “I like to go run on the sidewalk.”
What do you want to be when you grow up? “I want to do ballet.”
Reporter’s note: Her passion for dance established, Nadine immediately stood up and turned out her toes, demonstrating a very accurate first position.
Name: Davis
Age: 5 1/2
What’s the name of your favorite local baseball team?“The Cubs.”
What national teams do you like? “I like the Detroit Tigers, the Braves, the Dodgers, and the Cubs. I like Derrek Lee on the Cubs; he’s number 25.”
What do you want to be when you grow up? “I want to build towers. I love Leggos!”
Name: Sofia
Age: 7
Do you play sports? “No, but I watch football with my dad. I like the Tennessee Titans.”
What do you want to be when you grow up? “I want to be a writer. Me and my friend are writing stories and publishing them. We write them on paper and then copy them and staple them together.”
Do you have heroes? “I can tell you who my favorite airplane driver is: Amelia Earhart.”
Name: Wilson
Age: 7
Do you play any sports? “I am on a swim team and a soccer team. We’re called the Commodores and we have Vanderbilt colors.”
What are your favorite big teams? “In football, I like ‘Bama. For soccer, I like the USA.”
What do you want to be when you grow up? “I want to be a football player. I want to play for Alabama.”
Name: Natalie
Age: 7
Do you play sports? “No, but I’m a cheerleader for the teams at my school. Our colors are blue and white.”
What is your favorite subject in school? “I like recess!”
Any hobbies? “I like to read Ramona Quimby books.”
Name: Landon
Age: 8
Do you play baseball? “Yes. My team is called the Dodgers.”
What’s your favorite sports team? “The San Francisco Giants.”
Do you have any sports heros? “(Lionel) Messi for Barcelona is my favorite.”
Name: Jacob
Age: 6
Do you play any sports? “I play soccer, baseball and basketball.”
What are you doing this summer? “I’m going to camp. We get to swim in a swimming pool and in a lake, too!”
What’s your favorite subject in school? “What’s a subject?”
(Reporter note: The question was kind of unfair, as Jacob’s only reference is kindergarten. He’ll learn about subjects when he starts first grade this fall.)
Name: Jesse
Age: 7
Do you play any sports? I play soccer and football.”
Do you follow any national teams? “I don’t know any of the names of the teams; I just like to watch it on TV.”
Any favorite players? “Chris Johnson; he’s a football player for the Titans.”
Thanks to our neighbor Wes for opening his backyard baseball diamond to the Scrappers, as well as the parents who brought them there. We appreciate you!
About our photographer: Chad Davis is a Nashville-based photographer with a keen eye for style. His latest project is a style perspective called Handsome Roy (www.handsomeroy.com). He is also a vital part of the imogene + willie team. See more of his work at www.chaddaviscreative.co.
