My granddaughter Adeline has just completed her first season of T-ball.

Although she complained before every game, by the time she arrived at the field, she was ready.

She had her uniform, visor, bat bag, glove, bat and helmet. Oh, and she had a large bow on her pony tail.

When a friend asked why she always wore bows, Adeline replied, “That’s how God made me.”

During one game, after she hit the ball, Adeline took off for first base.

Once there, she realized that the first baseman was her friend and stopped to hug her before taking off for second base.

In another game, while playing shortstop, Adeline scooped up the ball, then stood frozen in place. “Touch her,” I and many other family members yelled to Adeline as an opponent ran to third base. Adeline stood there.

“Touch her,” we shouted again as the little girl who was on first ran past second toward third. Adeline still didn’t move.

Finally, she seemed to understand what we were saying.

She ran toward the child who was playing second base and tagged her own teammate.

That will teach us to be more specific with our instructions.

I have no doubt that Adeline will pick up the game of baseball.

She’ll learn to start from home and bat away anything the opposition throws at her.

She’ll understand that the faster she runs those bases, the better her chances to arrive home safely.

But a big part of me hopes that she still stops to give her friend a hug, even if that friend is on the other team. I think she will because that’s how God made her.

Ronny Michel may be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.