Byron and I often call Mack “The Mayor” because he treats even a trip to the playground as if he were a visiting local dignitary: gladhanding, kissing babies and offering handshakes all around.

Now he’s busy being the mayor of tee ball. Whenever he gets to first base he has a whole routine with the first-base coach that involves high fives and knuckle bumps, etc. It goes on for 30 seconds. He’s leading cheers and knows every kid by name, even though he’s the only preschooler on the team.

Yesterday, after the last of the other team batted in the first inning, Mack gave a huge whoop and ran off the field, yelling, “Come on! Come on!” All but one kid followed him, and it was so cute to watch the team following Mack, and actually running and acting like a team for once. Their coach never inspires this much enthusiasm.

Yes, Mack led them all to the visitor’s dugout, and they were the home team. Yes, this led to a minute or so of confused milling about before they all found their way over to the proper side of the field. So he’s the mayor, but he’s a Republican mayor.