Therefore, as much as I do not like roller coasters at amusement parks, I find them even more upsetting in my personal life. Which is what I feel I have been on the past year due to my son's involvement in baseball. In my mind I know that baseball is JUST a game, right? I only have to read the newspaper or turn on the evening news to help put things in perspective on what is important in life. So why is it then that I let how my son is doing in baseball play such a consuming role in my thoughts? I'm venturing that it isn't solely the "baseball participation" that causes the "ups and downs" so much as how those events impact our sons. I am going out on a limb here and guessing I might not be alone in this feeling.You know, when he does well we are on cloud nine. When he is having troubles on the field it is never very far in our thoughts. The ups and downs are amazing to me. Altho, have to admit I am ready for an "up" because we have been "down" for too long now. In our own case, we severely underestimated the impact of being away from the game for a year, after JOe's surgery and rehab, and what havoc it can create in your level of play. Expected to jump right back in and pick up where he left off. In retrospect, very naive. We are now severely re-assessing our expectations. And I can honestly say, baseball just isn't fun for any of us right now....it is more frustrating than anything else. I know "this too shall pass"....an "up" will come soon and all will be right with the world. That's the nature of the game, and one of the reasons we love it so much. It also seems to be the nature of life. Things can change in the swing of a bat, or the dawn of a new day. And it is also the nature of roller coasters, you never know what is around the corner or the other side of a hill....and you never know what it will do to your heart! The only difference is....I have to be pressured to go on the roller coaster at the amusement park....I seem to have no choice about experiencing the roller coaster of baseball. But, my stomach and my heart are wishing for more of a "ferris wheel ride" than a "super duper looper" in the near future! Anyone else on a roller coaster ride right now, or willing to share a time when they were? Any hints on how to GET OFF????