And, #2 it is! Son committed last night and could not be happier.
It all happened the night before #3 was supposed to come watch for the last time. It also was the last game of the season and the last game my son would play for his summer team of nine years.
#2 knew this. They called and put on a little pressure but were kind about it. Wanted him to commit that night. Perhaps they were afraid of losing him, not sure.
They made really good points. They never had any hesitation about him. They have believed in him (entire coaching staff) from the moment they saw him. Meanwhile, #2 has been unsure after three camps and six evals, etc. Why would he want to play for them?
Finally, it came out. 2020 just wanted the offer from #3 so he could say he got it, and was planning to decline it all along. Just a couple days before, an umpire ask him “so, where you going?” 2020 didn’t say “Oh, it’s between #2 and #3.” He said “#2.” And he’d say things like “I just can’t imagine saying no to #2” or “I can’t imagine going to college and having coaches other than #2.”
So as parents, my husband and I said “Do you want to call 2 back and commit?” He got a big smile on his face. He called them immediately and they were so excited. Said they can’t wait to work with him. Etc etc.
2020 has been grinning from ear to ear ever since. Called #3 and told them not to come. And he pitched the best game of his life today, relaxed, driven, and focused.
And he felt really good when the HC of #2 said....”Just wait, in a couple years, they are going to be kicking themselves that they were unsure about you....we are gonna show them what they missed.”
A happy ending to a very long, exhausting process. Thanks for all the advice. The prom date one is still pure gold in my book, as is the adage “go where you’re loved.”