When summer arrives, many young kids are so overjoyed that school is out they retreat to sitting at home with the air conditioning whirring full blast.

But that scenario does not ring true for 8-year-old Jared Smith.

Young Jared spent most of his day on Tuesday taking a few swings in the newly installed batting cages at the Decatur County Family YMCA. Jared not only participated in the grand opening, but he is also a member of the organization, alongside the rest of his family.

While spending some of the summer getting ready for the third grade, Jared manages to stay outside and active, participating in a variety of sports and other activities.

“I pretty much like math,” Jared explained. “My favorite subject is P.E.”

Jared’s father, Jeff Smith, made sure to note that Jared especially loves taking part in kickball. That is Jared’s favorite game in P.E., he said.

Jared’s family spends much of their leisure time in Greensburg, though Jared plays baseball on a team in the Rush County Youth League, and that occupies much of their free time. Coming up, young Jared plans to participate in a baseball tournament, and has already done so a few times. As a member of the Eight-Year-Old All-Stars in Rush County and active participant in the Cal Ripken Tournaments, it is clear that sports and playing outdoors are Jared’s true passions. When playing baseball on the teams, Jared has played both outfield and third base, though he prefers playing infield.

Though his early baseball career dominates his schedule, Jared’s time is also occupied by other team sports.

“I play baseball and soccer too,” Jared noted.

And as a member of the local YMCA, Jared plays on the youth-sanctioned soccer team.

But a young man’s time cannot be spent playing outside all of the time, and Jared occupies his mind with other activities too.

According to his father, there are Spider-Man and Peyton Manning posters littered all over his bedroom walls. Being a fan of the superhero genre and mythos, Jared accompanied his family when they went to see the blockbuster action flick Iron Man earlier this year.

“I really liked the part where he tries to fly the first time and runs into the wall,” Jared said.

But Jared would rather be playing sports any day, and when his father received the e-mail for the grand opening of the batting cages, both he and Jared thought it would be a good time, and allow the young baseball player to get in some good practice before the tournament season.