We have so many threads where there is some type of obstacle to overcome in order to get out on the playing field - either high school and/or college. Perhaps people can share a story or two about how their sons overcame adversity. I'll tell a couple to get things started and have told them here before so apologies in advance for the repeats...
high school - making the freshman team in high school... Doesn't sound like a big deal eh? At a high school where over four thousand students matriculate and well over 100 kids tried out, it was a big deal. My son tried out for both outfield and infield yet he had up to that time been a life-long infielder. When the season was set to begin, he was slated as the back-up centerfielder. Opening day was a rainout yet in the afternoon, things got nice so the team called a hastily-planned intra-squad scrimmage. My son smoked a double that day that he said was the hardest ball hit.
The next day, he was the starting centerfielder and he held the position all year without ever sitting. He had some luck go his way with the rainout and scrimmage but he capitilized on it. People asked me if I was upset he was playing outfield - I said, "Heck no, I am thankful he is playing!" The following year he was 3rd baseman for JV's and got called up to varsity at the end of the year. The following two years he was the starting varsity shortstop.
college - After an exciting fall season my son's freshman year, he found out he was redshirted the day they handed out uniforms and the day before the 2006 season began. He was devastated when he called and was in tears. I did not mix words with him nor did I baby him. I said he needed to get better. Said rather than hanging your head, show those coaches with every ounce of your soul that you are determined to be a player for them. Be the hardest worker and the best team player. I'll admit that stuff sounds good in theory but it is still a shock to the system nonetheless.
Several weeks later, my son caught a huge break that was not quite apparent at the time. Another teammate decided that he did not want to sit the bench and he asked to be redshirted. Mine was next on the list. When he called that day, the joy was unbelievable. They gave him #16 - the number of the teammate who redshirted.
For the next few weeks, he started getting used as a defensive replacement late in games. Back then, the only thing to follow was live stats. Imagine watching stats and hoping and praying you saw text pop-up that displayed your son's name. If his turn ever came up in the order, they pinch hit for him. We were thankful for the defensive opportunites but also apprehensive whether he would ever get an at-bat.
March 17th 2006 - St Patties Day. A day that will always be special in our household. I worked late that day and was cajoled to go out and have a few drinks with colleagues even though I would have rather watched live stats. When I finally got home, I first checked the hsbaseballweb. Another member started a thread announcing something had happened with my son. Apparently, his turn came up in the order and they did not pinch hit for him this time. There were two outs in the bottom of the 9th with a runner on third of a tie game. He drilled a line drive single to win the game with a walk-off base hit. No doubt in my mind his college career changed on that day.
There is no doubt in my mind that my son has had luck go his way. To his credit, he was prepared to take advantage when the tide changed.
Original Post