I am not sure anyone ever posted this before....
You have to be happy at what you do in your life, and should do what you feel is best, not what everyone else feels is best for you. While baseball is life for many, its not always the same for some. Make sure that you make decisions for the right reasons.
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Good for him. More kids should quit baseball and go do what they want.
Confusing story to me. If it's not your passion, fine move on. Him saying I hope we lose so I can go fishing shows he's not feeling it. He goes on to badmouth C of C, which is a good school. There r kids who Party at every college. My son is not a partier at all and has managed to make friends, and still remain true to his Christian values at College. Glad this kid finally cleared the air w the Charleston coach, he should have acted with a bit more maturity and done that when he left instead of writing a letter for teammate to pass on. To not inform his dad showed a lack of respect in my book. I would feel disappointed if my son quit, took off for two days, and had to hear about it from coach.
On one hand he seems to dislike playing baseball, and everything assoc w the sport, yet says he would play again if God wants him too. Very confusing.
Kid has talent, but so have many others like him. Just move on, fish, hunt, attend church and get degree. Baseball is not for everyone.
I am thinking that there is a lot more to the story that he didn't tell us. Was there an influence there that made him change his mind sometime that year, the girlfriend (now wife) or the church he became involved with? Not doing as well as expected on the cape, Lee leaving to go to Clemson?
Not discussing any of this with anyone (dad or his coach) and just walking away (just writing a note) is really weird.
Yes, I agree you can still hold onto your christian values (or any) and still play a sport, if that is what you really want to do.
I love it. Coach wanted them to do 6 am conditioning on the opening day of duck season. 
. It's like when I scheduled my wedding in November. My uncles said there would be a problem. It was the start of deer season. Priorities.
He wanted his team to lose. He didn't face his coach with his decision. He didn't face his father with his decision. He either lacks courage or needs to be treated for depression.
If he had married my daughter I'd be afraid she married an immature basket case. Taking off without telling his coach and father was very immature and disrespectful.
In the end, playing baseball is a job that requires a lot from a person. If you don't want to do the job, you shouldn't. That doesn't mean I agree with anything about how he left his job.
It takes passion to apply ones self to the utmost degree, which is what college ball requires. Kid is apparently a natural swinger from early on. We've all seen them, from rookie ball through high school. The easy going, loose limbed kid who seemed to give no effort other than what was absolutely required by the coaches, could just step up and poke one outta there. Played the game because that's what his friends did or because pop's insisted he go out for the team. Our kid's envied his swing and talked about the game long after the lights went out but the easy swinger never gave it another thought until it was time for the next practice.
Most went away from the game well before high school but this kid was apparently too good to be missed by the game changers. He continues on as that seems to be his destiny but finally decides to take control of the direction he wants his life to roll. I find his easy going nature humorous in that considering his talent, he takes a left turn without giving the world a blinker.
I agree with TPM's suspicions that the story is incomplete, but why not take it as it's written since we have no other knowledge nor insight into this young man's life. It could be that the opposite sex and sudden interest in religion, that wasn't apparently present before, may have influenced his decisions. However, he is of age. I only hope he doesn't regret it as he gets a little older and wiser. It surely does seem to be an opportunity missed to bank a little off the game and then hunt and fish the rest of his life, at nicer 'Lodges'.
Hunter10 posted:It takes passion to apply ones self to the utmost degree, which is what college ball requires. Kid is apparently a natural swinger from early on. We've all seen them, from rookie ball through high school. The easy going, loose limbed kid who seemed to give no effort other than what was absolutely required by the coaches, could just step up and poke one outta there. Played the game because that's what his friends did or because pop's insisted he go out for the team. Our kid's envied his swing and talked about the game long after the lights went out but the easy swinger never gave it another thought until it was time for the next practice.
Most went away from the game well before high school but this kid was apparently too good to be missed by the game changers. He continues on as that seems to be his destiny but finally decides to take control of the direction he wants his life to roll. I find his easy going nature humorous in that considering his talent, he takes a left turn without giving the world a blinker.
I agree with TPM's suspicions that the story is incomplete, but why not take it as it's written since we have no other knowledge nor insight into this young man's life. It could be that the opposite sex and sudden interest in religion, that wasn't apparently present before, may have influenced his decisions. However, he is of age. I only hope he doesn't regret it as he gets a little older and wiser. It surely does seem to be an opportunity missed to bank a little off the game and then hunt and fish the rest of his life, at nicer 'Lodges'.
Well said.
Speaking from experience, depression can really mess with your head and make you question your reality. Depression hit me so hard that I quit baseball in 7th grade and didn't pick up a bat again until freshman year when it was more under control. I thought I quit again last fall (sophomore year) when my depression got to its worst and I told myself that the only way I'd be happy is if I wasn't alive. Fast forward a year and I'm a junior with a passion for the game that outdoes everyone I know.
I sympathize with this kid because I've been through it. I know some time away from everything laid back at home can help and I hope that it helps him and he finds the desire to play again.
Funny, I was thinking about this very thing quite a bit yesterday, driving to son's next town, next series. I was actually trying to come up with an interesting way to frame it in the form of a question or statement here to open up dialog.
From time to time, I think many players and parents question "Is it really worth it?" I think the answer is different for each and there are an infinite number of scenarios. I just wish that this particular example didn't have all the "mismanagement" issues that others have pointed out. It sort of dilutes the message that it isn't for everyone and it is often the right decision to take another path. But, when choosing to do so, one should properly exit the first path before moving on to the next.
Young man, I hope your parents are aware of your issues. Depression is a lonely affliction that is only truly understood by those who've experienced it. It is not a battle to fight alone nor is it anything to be embarrassed about, it is serious though. Please message me or anyone on this forum if you need to talk, at any time. I will give you my number. Depression sometimes has to do with chemical imbalances experienced during puberty, often temporary.
Thanks for contributing NYCT, we need to hear from the young players as you can probably tell we're a bunch of old Mom's and Pop's reminiscing on our kid's glory days. Keep playing ball and posting on the site. Hunter Out!
NYCTBaseball posted:Speaking from experience, depression can really mess with your head and make you question your reality. Depression hit me so hard that I quit baseball in 7th grade and didn't pick up a bat again until freshman year when it was more under control. I thought I quit again last fall (sophomore year) when my depression got to its worst and I told myself that the only way I'd be happy is if I wasn't alive. Fast forward a year and I'm a junior with a passion for the game that outdoes everyone I know.
I sympathize with this kid because I've been through it. I know some time away from everything laid back at home can help and I hope that it helps him and he finds the desire to play again.
Hunter10 posted:Young man, I hope your parents are aware of your issues. Depression is a lonely affliction that is only truly understood by those who've experienced it. It is not a battle to fight alone nor is it anything to be embarrassed about, it is serious though. Please message me or anyone on this forum if you need to talk, at any time. I will give you my number. Depression sometimes has to do with chemical imbalances experienced during puberty, often temporary.
Thanks for contributing NYCT, we need to hear from the young players as you can probably tell we're a bunch of old Mom's and Pop's reminiscing on our kid's glory days. Keep playing ball and posting on the site. Hunter Out!
My reply was meant for NYCTBaseball. I'm not the techiest fellow on the web or I could'a fixed it. lol
Thank you Hunter. Yes, I am always on the same page with my parents on this issue and I'm pretty open about my experience because it's important to make sure others going through this sort of thing know that they've been there and that it can be beaten.
“I hated every game we played,” Pappas says. “I couldn’t relate to anybody. Most of the players were going out partying and trying to get with girls and I would be in bed by 9 at my host family’s house.”
Sounds like his baseball environment wasn't conducive to being close to God.
Glad to hear it kid. Depression suuuucccckkkkssss. I hope it's temporary for you as it probably is. Good luck!
First time poster...really enjoy the wisdom and insight available here.
Just because you are gifted in a particular discipline doesn't mean that you love it. I was fortunate enough to play two sports in college with football paying my way. I LIKED football but LOVED baseball. In order to be great, I believe that you have to be extremely (top 1%) talented or work extremely hard. From what I've seen as a player and coach, usually the hardest workers enjoy the process. The only thing I enjoyed about football was Saturdays. I enjoyed everything about baseball, including practice. I hated football practice but was good enough to play.
It sounds like this kid just doesn't love the game and that's okay. I just wish that he would have handled it differently.
lionbaseball posted:“I hated every game we played,” Pappas says. “I couldn’t relate to anybody. Most of the players were going out partying and trying to get with girls and I would be in bed by 9 at my host family’s house.”
Sounds like his baseball environment wasn't conducive to being close to God.
...or, he was missing the girlfriend/wife...
...or, playing at the Cape is hard...and you have to work at it. All. the. time.
Keewartson played against CofC 4 times last season. They are a tough team. But I agree with HSHULER (welcome, btw) you have to LOVE it.
Sounds like his Summer experience was not a good one. Maybe it was first time he experienced a slump, and then an injury. Wouldn't worry what other teammates were doing. If they were partying during season, it will show in their performance.
I think he just didn't have passion for baseball, and did not like school/major so he found excuses to leave. Now there's a scholarship/position open for someone who has the dream.
“My biggest wish is that the people in baseball would understand that the sport isn’t their life,” Pappas says. “It doesn’t love you the way you love it. I just hate seeing people put all their eggs in one basket.”
Hogwash
Regardless of why, he didnt love baseball, thats fine, but the generalized quote above is just not true, maybe for him it was but not for alot of others, they are not hoping to lose. He did what he should have done, quit. BTW, there's plenty of hunting to do Nov-Jan for the rest of your life.
I received a phone call very early one morning. A former player was walking out on professional ball. He had a big contract and had several articles written about him and his potential. He had just been traded for a "star" of another team. There was so much pressure on him. In the conversation, he said that he couldn't play anymore. Baseball was no longer fun. He longed for the days in HS were all the guys were on one mission and that he felt part of a team. For him, baseball had never been that way again. He didn't care about the money and he felt like a piece of meat. So, true to his word, he walked out. Now, I can say that he is a happy man with a great family. He doesn't regret his move at all.
CoachB25 posted:I received a phone call very early one morning. A former player was walking out on professional ball. He had a big contract and had several articles written about him and his potential. He had just been traded for a "star" of another team. There was so much pressure on him. In the conversation, he said that he couldn't play anymore. Baseball was no longer fun. He longed for the days in HS were all the guys were on one mission and that he felt part of a team. For him, baseball had never been that way again. He didn't care about the money and he felt like a piece of meat. So, true to his word, he walked out. Now, I can say that he is a happy man with a great family. He doesn't regret his move at all.
Hats off to that man!
I think when a kid is good at something, people tend to tell them that it's their calling. How many really smart kids go to medical or law school because that's what everyone tells them they should do?
You can hear something so much that you start to believe it...even if it's not what you're truly passionate about. That's why some students leave medical or law school because it's hard to go through the rigors of the process w/o truly loving it. Now, you can still complete the process successfully, even in excellence, but hate every minute of it.
There are tons of people who change careers midstream for various reasons but sometimes they are miserable at something they are really gifted to do. Hats off to anyone who has the guts to do whatever they're passionate about even if no one else understands the decision. I think the most important thing in it all is to make sure that you are truly making a permanent change for the right reason and not just because of temporary circumstances.
My roommate freshman year in college was a runner. He was very highly recruited -- he had run a 4:08 mile in high school. He did not enjoy running. I asked him why he did it and he told me "I feel like if you are good at something you should do it." Well, he did it, but (partly due to injuries) he never bettered his high school time while in college.
As for Pappas, I doubt it was the Cape - he only played 9 games there. Rather, it seems he really didn't like baseball that much (heck, he wanted to get his college season over with ASAP). It happens. It's not the Army; you're allowed to quit baseball. Best of luck to him in his future endeavors.
In all likelihood, at C of C, the program never made more than a year-to-year commitment to this young man. It's only fair that his commitment be considered no more than year-to-year, either.
As a baseball lover, I have to admit I'm always baffled by guys who seem to have the gift of talent but don't seem to have the drive to succeed at it or the love of the game. But there are 300-some million people in this country and we're all different to some degree. If this guy no longer wants to play, it seems to me he fulfilled his commitment to his team through the end of last season even when he was miserable. That's enough for me. He gave up his slot and now someone else who wants it more can have it.
I hope he doesn't get to my age and wonder what might have been, but then, a lot of folks my age have those sorts of thoughts about all sorts of things. In the end, the young man is right: His odds of making it in pro ball were not all that good, so in all likelihood he made his choice only a few years before someone else would've made it for him. He did it on his time table and in a way that assured he wouldn't be away from the woman he loved for months on end. Who knows if she would've hung around for years while he chased after rainbows.
It's a tough enough game to excel at if you do love it. If it's making you miserable, the challenge has got to be even greater. I would think that if he'd stayed in college ball, this year (and possibly 2017) would not have seen him continue on an upward path. We all hope to improve year by year, but in reality we see players regress at times, and what you're seeing here can often explain why.
I'm totally in favor of someone who wants it going hard after college and pro baseball opportunities, but too often we let ourselves get caught up in "keeping up with the Joneses" or even the societal infatuation with attaining fame and fortune, and we pave over those who have other priorities. The main thing I take from this is that we need to be more alert to identifying these guys earlier on so that they can change their life course, make themselves happier, and let some other players take their places.
I doubt if there is a college or professional player alive that loved baseball every day. It is not "always" fun. So that actually becomes one of the many obstacles along the way.
For some it just isn't worth it. When that happens they hang it up. You know what? They probably should hang it up if they feel that way. Without desire how far can anyone go?
I always wonder if and when their mind changes, will they regret their decision?
Sounds like this player just wants to hunt and fish all the time. Which is a favorite hobby for many players. Maybe somehow he will make a career out of hunting and fishing. He has talent, but sure doesn't have what it takes to reach the top in baseball and he realizes that. There is nothing wrong with that! There are more important things than baseball in life.
Kids starting college baseball realize it's no longer the game they loved. Whether it's due to the drill sergeant-like coaches, the partying teammates, or the cutthroat business aspect of it, everything changes. In all pro sports your mental makeup is just as important as your talent.
that situation is curious- I've seen it before - didn't understand it then either. a good friend of mines son punted in the NFL for 5 years. signed a big contract after year three, was cut by his team in year 5. Hung up his cleats at that point. He had multiple opportunities at other clubs, was making very good money- I'm being vague on purpose here. I didn't understand, neither did his dad. But the young man is very happy now, living a great life with kids and wife in his hometown. I'm happy for him, but wow, I still don't know what to say about it.
RJM posted:He wanted his team to lose. He didn't face his coach with his decision. He didn't face his father with his decision. He either lacks courage or needs to be treated for depression.
If he had married my daughter I'd be afraid she married an immature basket case. Taking off without telling his coach and father was very immature and disrespectful.
supposeos we have t be careful about being amateur psychologists but honestly I thought the same thing. Sounds like depression or some other emotional issue. I would definitely be alarmed enough to track this if I were the parent. These are serious matters and I hope this kid is ok.
Reminds me of Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty , who reportedly quit football his senior year in college for duck hunting and fishing.
Phil did pretty well with that plan
PGStaff posted:I doubt if there is a college or professional player alive that loved baseball every day. It is not "always" fun. So that actually becomes one of the many obstacles along the way.
That is so very true. Sooner or later all athletes realize that its a business. And I agree that its not always fun. I remember telling DK always, always to enjoy the game because it wont last forever. That's pretty hard for most of us to understand. We all know how difficult it is to play this game and take 15-18 college credits at the same time. We all know what happens when injuries occur.
It's ok to not want to be involved anymore, but I am sorry, I would be really disappointed in my son or daughter if they ever walked away from a situation like this without first discussing with us or the coach.
I remember feeling owned in college. While I couldn't imagine not playing baseball I was very aware there were a lot of things I didn't have time for some of my friends were doing.
My first college summer I played for the wrong team. I thought extra non conference games meant more reps and more exposure. What it meant was burnout. All the other teams had Saturday's off. We played doubleheaders. Then we had league doubleheaders on Sunday. There were Satudays in July I woke up and thought, "I would really like to just go to the beach today." By the time I got to the field I managed to get emotionally cranked up to play.
I read the whole artical again and got the same thing out of it as I did when I read it two years ago. I don't hear takes away from God or more passion for hunting. I definitely don't hear anything about depression. That was all just back ground noise. Both times all I heard was don't want to do the work. By the way that's perfectly fine. Most people don't. I just never see the need for all the extra fluff.
2 years ago?
The first articles last fall ...
http://www.postandcourier.com/...50926/PC20/150929437
http://www.d1baseball.com/news...charleston-baseball/
TPM posted:2 years ago?
Oops. Sorry two months ago. It may have been a different artical but same story. I still got the same impression.
