| In addition to being a sport that helps a child | | | | the next piece. |
| develop hand / eye coordination, timing, stamina, | | | | 3. Memorabilia. Actual sports memorabilia is best |
| and endurance, baseball is a mental game requiring | | | | reserved for older children who have already |
| judgment and strategy. It builds both individual and | | | | developed a keen interest in the game and an |
| team skills while immersing a young player in a | | | | appreciation for its history. Many vintage baseball |
| sporting culture with a rich history both as an | | | | cards and signed game balls are quite expensive |
| American national pastime and as a traditional | | | | and require appropriate care. For the real |
| bonding experience between father and son. For | | | | enthusiast, however, they will become treasured |
| all the video game consoles installed in American | | | | personal items for years to come. |
| living rooms, nothing can replace a Dad and his | | | | 4. Tickets. Actually taking your son and perhaps |
| boy in the front yard playing catch and no | | | | one of his friends to a game creates an |
| electronic beep carries the richness of a | | | | opportunity for a fun outing with "the guys." The |
| well-thrown ball smacking the leather of a | | | | boys will enjoy the spectacle, watching the |
| catcher's mitt. | | | | players and the crowd, and getting to eat food |
| Although psychologists wisely counsel that it is | | | | Mom wouldn't let them have if she knew about it. |
| best to allow children to develop their own | | | | (It's also a great venue to start explaining the |
| interests, there is nothing wrong with giving your | | | | rules of the game in a relaxed, fun atmosphere.) |
| son baseball-related gifts to introduce him to the | | | | 5. Baseball camp. Like memorabilia, this is a gift |
| sport and to kindle his interest. Most children | | | | best reserved for a slightly older child with a |
| realize quickly when an activity is important to | | | | well-developed interest in the game. These camps |
| their parents and will at least make an effort to | | | | may be held locally and simply involve a number |
| become involved in it as well. (But remember -- | | | | of hours during the day at a sports center or |
| and this may hurt you to think about -- if your | | | | they may be "away" camps requiring the child to |
| son really does not develop a love of the game, | | | | stay a number of days. Judge what your boy can |
| don't ruin it for the both of you by forcing it. | | | | best handle psychologically and don't put him in a |
| Accept it and find something else the two of you | | | | setting so far above his skills that he'll feel |
| can share.) | | | | unhappy and uncomfortable. |
| Some affordable baseball-related gifts that will | | | | 6. Equipment. In the final analysis, the best way to |
| appeal to your child include: | | | | help a child cultivate an interest in baseball is to |
| 1. Baseball-themed clothing. Ball caps are a | | | | give him the tools of the trade. Start with the |
| wardrobe standard with kids these days and are | | | | classics - Softball Bats, balls, and gloves. Yes, he'll |
| easily found at sporting goods stores. Get your | | | | play with his friends, but you also want to be the |
| boy a cap with the logo of your favorite team | | | | one out there in the yard helping him develop his |
| and use it as a pretext to start teaching him the | | | | swing and his fast ball. There is no substitute for |
| logos of all the teams in the league and the | | | | real play in learning to love a sport. (And |
| names of their mascots. Make it a game. (T-shirts | | | | remember, patience when he knocks that first ball |
| can serve the same purpose and if he gets really | | | | through the kitchen window.) |
| enthused, you can get him the whole uniform in | | | | Baseball is much more than a bat and ball sport |
| his size.) | | | | pitting two teams of nine players against one |
| 2. Collectibles. These items can include a pack of a | | | | another. In the American version, at least, it's |
| baseball cards showing the players of a favored | | | | been around since 1838, and forms a vital |
| team, miniature baseball helmets, or the fun and | | | | element of the national fabric. When you hear the |
| popular bobble-head dolls of major baseball | | | | phrase "as American as baseball and apple pie," it's |
| celebrities. These kinds of gifts are good because | | | | not an exaggeration. By choosing the right baseball |
| they can be stretched out over several birthdays | | | | gifts for your son, you can introduce him to this |
| and Christmases, building a complete collection for | | | | tradition, share it with him, and build great |
| the child and creating the anticipation of receiving | | | | memories for you both to cherish. |