Jimmy at the Bat

When my boys were young, they would often play with a number of other kids on the block. Down at the end of the street were several boys near the age of my eldest (one the same and one a year younger). All summer they travelled as a pack. They would dig in the dirt, swim, play video games and fire squirt guns at each other.

Sometimes you can look at a young kid and just know that they will grow up to be a good athlete. The younger of the two boys from the end of the street (Jimmy) was just that way. While he was the most unassuming, nicest kid (still is), you could look at him and know that he would end up a point guard, a pitcher or a quarterback. Or even all three.

One day they were over in my very small backyard playing a little whiffle ball. I played a little outfield for them (a mere 30 feet away from the seven-year old batters) and when Jimmy came up to bat I could tell something was a little off. He wasn’t holding the bat right and when he swung, it was all over the place. I called time and went to the makeshift plate. I asked and Jimmy confirmed that he had not batted before. I talked him through it – how to hold the bat, how to swing, hot to look at the ball – and he took a practice swing. It was better, but I began to think that for the athlete he was and would likely become, baseball may not be in the cards.

My eldest pitched the ball and Jimmy swung at it. BAM!!!! It not only went over my head, but went far over the fence behind me. A big home run! Jimmy, many years later, became a nationally rated high school offensive tackle, recruited by many Division 1 schools and received a full scholarship to a top 20 football program.

Tangy Asian Meatballs

These meatballs are a home run in their own right! Tangy and tasty!

Ground pork and the flavors of Asia.

Mix the pork, egg and some flavors to make the meatballs.

Make the sauce.

Form the balls and lay them in the slow cooker. Top with sauce and cook.

Delectable!

Tangy Asian Meatballs

prep 15 M ∙ cook 5 H ∙ makes 4 ∙ source Myrecipes.com

INGREDIENTS
1 pound ground pork
1/3 cup panko bread crumbs
3 scallions, white and light-green parts, chopped
1 large egg
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup jarred Chinese plum sauce or duck sauce
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce

DIRECTIONS

1. 1. Combine pork, panko, scallions, egg, soy sauce, ginger and garlic in a large bowl; mix gently but thoroughly with your fingers. Roll into 1-inch balls.2. 2. Mist slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Add meatballs. In a small bowl, whisk together barbecue sauce, plum sauce and hoisin sauce; pour over meatballs. Gently stir to coat.3. 3. Cover and cook on low until meatballs are cooked through, 3 to 5 hours.

NUTRITIONAL INFO

Calories: 419
Fat: 26g
Saturated fat: 9g
Protein: 23g
Carbohydrate: 21g
Fiber: 1g
Cholesterol: 135mg
Sodium: 803mg