2013 MiLB Season as a Parent

Wow I never thought about ticket requests at that level.Pac 12 was hard enough at times.

 

PUHD  congrats to your son for graduating college.He really grew up and took care of business.Im glad he played his last year where he was happier.

 

I love knowing many players in the minor leagues,many not personally but just from sons college league,his summer ball,HSBBW,it makes it so much fun.We caught a game last year for Rivercats when CD son came to town.May see a few this summer when we visit.

 

Hope everyone has a good memorial day.Heading to a graduation party. Be safe.

PG,

I was thinking along the lines of milb. Unless it was family, I would never expect ML tickets or would I ask.

 

I know that some of us have been accused of being "cronies'.  I am very happy to visit my "cronies" players whenever I can. I think that is part of making us "cronies".

Great suggestion TPM.  Visit a player...they really enjoy the "break" in the monotony.

 

Wow I never thought about ticket requests at that level.Pac 12 was hard enough at times.

I guess I'm not certain of what I'm gonna say...but I've heard and I believe(?) at the MLB level that the players actually get the cost of the ticket added onto their income...in effect causing them to pay for about 1/2 the price of the ticket (taxes).  MiLB different...as in "not so"...but something to think about if you're ever in a position to get a "free" ticket from a major leaguer.

Wow really.Thats crazy they get charged.I could see if its hundreds but they should get  a few free ones.But we all know its a business first,not a game

I did get some tickets from a MLB player two seasons ago - and it was, who else, the IRS who decided that free tickets were a taxable item. So now the player gets charged rather than having the team have to track exactly how many "free" tickets each player got per pay period and then having to tax them on the value of those tickets. 

 

Found this link - http://usatoday30.usatoday.com...0-ticket-taxes_x.htm

 

Related link on comp tickets from ESPN - Yankees get sticker shock thanks to dynamic pricing.

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweets...h-mets-ticket-prices

 

After six long weeks without baseball, my son has been called back to his team and will be in uniform tomorrow night.  I realize other kids have been injured worse and have been out for much longer periods of time, but it still seems like a long time anyways.  All's well that ends well.  Thanks again for the thoughts and prayers.

Glad to hear the good news CD.

Great news CD! Hope Tyler hits the cover off the ball!

Thats great news CD.  My wife and I will prolly be in Reno in the next few weeks and always like to take in a game...nice park.  Hope to see Tyler in his spot when we're there.

I'm betting Tyler was getting kind of grouchy being out that long, glad to hear he is back and ready to go.  He will never take showering lightly again, I would bet.

 

Good luck to him and best wishes!!!

Good to hear CD...it's going to be good to put Tyler back in my nightly rotation of boxscore reviews. 

Everyone doing ok here?  No updates in a while.

 

Our son went "up" for a second time this past weekend.  Possibly not for a long time, but who knows?  Since he has all of his "options" left, I was told by a friend at the beginning of the season that this may happen a lot as injuries happen.  They can send him up and down as many times as they want this year without losing another option.

 

This is something I always read about, but really didn't pay any attention too.  I'm learning what it all means..."promoted" & "recalled" seem kind of obvious, but "optioned," "DFA'd," and "outrighted?"  All terms for players going up and down with different consequences and all terms I've learned the meaning and implications of recently.

 

So I found this on Wikipedia:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...aseball_transactions

 

Don't want this thread to be about our son...at all...just attempting to share some more information that maybe you knew...or (like me) didn't know? 

Good post above. People whose sons will be drafted should understand the business before decisions are made (college vs pro).

Not much here to report, got a chance to see DK last week.

He keeps plugging along, and I give him lots of credit for sticking with what he set out to do 7 seasons ago.

 

My guy is plugging along as well. He appears to be fully recovered from his surgery that was required due to an injury sustained during spring training. Hopefully he will hit his stride very soon, since the season is half over. Still just at around 100 at bats this year, so a couple good games will get his averages up into the area that we are accustomed to. He is battling away!

My son has been on the dl since early May with mild shoulder issue.  First time he has ever been injured and spent time not playing.  Is set to throw in a simulated game tomorrow and due to be activated July 4.  Of course, that is all subject to change.  Hardest thing for him has been the mental aspect of staying positive while rehabbing.  Good luck to all as they start the second half of the season!

southernmom,
So sorry to hear that your son was on the DL, I completely understand.
Mine hit the DL for 15 days, pulled a lat muscle.  

That's what happens when you get older.

 

Best of luck to your son.

Thanks, TPM.   Hope they both have a healthy second half! 

I'm happy to report that my son is off to a good start as he's started his career in A Short-Season.  First AB was a hit and went 2 for 4 in his 1st pro game.  He's got a 6 game hitting streak going for his first 6 games.  He started at SS then DH'ed a couple games and then back at Short.  

 

A few days ago I spoke with him and he aid he was feeling more relaxed that he did at college as he doesn't have the pressure of the academics.  He was excited when he got his first "real job" pay check last Fri.  

 

Interestingly he commented that he didn't feel like it's any where near the "grind" he had when he had played in the Northwoods League.   He's loving it all, so far.

 

I'm bummed that none of the games are streamed, but a least they DO have audio, so I listen when I can.  

You can bet we're watching and rooting hard Truman!  

Just a quick note...

 

My wife and I take an annual trip to Reno/Lake Tahoe and this time we had the pleasure of meeting and watching CD's son play for the Triple-A Reno Aces.

 

What a treat!  While it is clear he is a very gifted baseball player...it is even more clear that he is a very fine young man.  Beginning with his tremendous patience signing balls, bats, programs and whatever for the kids gathered around the dugout.  All with a certain "grace" that was unmistakable.

 

It is my experience that fruits don't usually fall too far from the tree...and while I've never met CD in person, I can tell that his son didn't fall far from that tree. 

 

Congrats CD...on raising a fine young man.  You have every right to be darn freakin' proud!  I hope you don't mind the picture below. 

 

Here's something I had not considered up til now: My son is about 40 games into his first minor league season, and he is very fatigued. He says his legs are just about gone, and as a result he's hitting a lot of ground balls.

 

His team is in its 65th game or so of a 95 game season, but he's already at almost 100 games this year, since he played 56 in the college season, and he is feeling it.

 

I never thought about what it takes to physically adjust to the everyday baseball schedule that is pretty much the standard in pro ball.

 

 

It is mentally and physically exhausting in more ways than just the games.

Also isn't your son a catcher? I have heard they really put a ton of work as they do bullpens as well. Look around the leagues many catchers don't have great numbers. Many times in lower levels there are three catchers so less at bats.

Actually, he moved to right field this last college season, and that is what he has played since. The team has only three outfielders!

Not many have absolutely no idea what it takes to play baseball at the pro level day in and day out for 6-9 months or longer.

As a pitcher son trains daily from early fall until spring training and the training continues day in and day out throughout the season. I was reading an article on a ML position player that spends 8 hours a day in the gym to train in the off season, so he can compete. That is the norm for those that succeed.

 

It's a job and one has to perform continually to keep their job.  That means it's not just throwing a pitch or hitting a ball.

 

This is not directed to you, but I have to laugh sometimes when I hear folks (players too) say, my player has what it takes to play proball. They have no clue.

 

Your post brings out the reality that most don't really understand.

 

Thank you!

That is the difference in independent vs milb, there are more players to take up the slack so that everyone gets some rest. Food is better, as is workout facilities and trainers as well.

 

However, on a 25 man roster 12-13 sometimes 14 still are pitchers.

 

Teams can manipulate rosters to give players rest.

justbb - awfully nice of you to say those things!

I have a question for those parents who are more experienced at MiLB than we are. How do you plan trips? We waited to go see our son because we haven't spent his birthday with him for the last 3 years (collegiate summer ball.) Now we're 3 days away from flying up and they've sent him to the next level. While we are SO PROUD and SO HAPPY, we have had to do some major rearranging!! Luckily we bought this thing called the choice bundle that helped with flights, but there are still some extra problems. We have to get his car and drive it up to him?? How have others handled this?

Fly an airline that won't penalize you for changes.
My son hasn't taken his truck to work in over 3 seasons.  One less thing to worry about as far as he is concerned.

Funny thing, if you bring his car to him, he may move again. My suggestion is to leave it where it is and he can fly back to get it when season is over.

 

I do not support any player that has cheated the system and taken a substance prohibited.

However, with what Rob has posted, it's not too hard to really not understand why players do what they do, some cheat to break records, others do it to try to stay in the game. 

RK,

Jeff looks like he is holding up pretty good to me!

 

Susan B, first of all congratulations on your son’s promotion.  It's easy for me to say however yours is a nice problem to have.  

 

I don't know if you have points available however we've always tried to use frequent flier miles for our visits because if you have to cancel/change your trip they will usually put your points back into your account for a small fee.  

 

On the car front... in my son's 5 year pro career I have made 6 car delivery trips. Most say I'm crazy however in my own career I have spent a lot of time away from home and I can't imagine what it would be like to be at someone else's mercy for transportation (especially for months on end).  Truth is I'll jump at the chance to visit him and watch some baseball.  We've looked into car transport services but it is costly ($600 to $1000) for his location, especially compared to the cost of buying dad a plane ticket and dinner to get his car for him.  Who am I kidding, on his salary I usually pay for both. 

 

I'm not saying this will happen to your son however one thing I suggest after a promotions is to wait a few weeks before dealing with the car situation.  I've noticed that some of the promotions are not always long term (especially at AAA and AA levels).  After a couple weeks they usually have a pretty good idea where they stand.

 

 

Thanks Jersey Dad,

Of course, it is a terrific problem to have. This is our first year and our first promotion The car has been great for our son, because he gets to the field before everyone else and works out. I don't want him to have to do without. Frequent flyer miles, no~~no travel for us(teacher and construction worker.) I'll probably go up at the end of the season to help him with the 30 hour drive home! Thank you so much for your insight and advice. 

Susan, this is son's 3rd yr. Public transportation is great & will get him there early!

Son has made do with less & less, due to moving around. His truck currently sits in a garage. He has to pay a clubby to start it for him every week when the team is on the road, roughly 50% of the time...10-12 days away, 5-10 home, etc...

If your son can make the adjustment, it really is less hassle without the vehicle.

only three OF? Wow no wonder his legs are tired. Most teams have four and then a couple INF who can play out there. Our OF rotate out so even the Prospects sit a game or two a week.

 

As far as the moving levels, we went back this summer, son moved the day we got there, then twice more in two weeks we were there.2400 miles on rental car) glad we got to see him play professionally though as we may never have got a chance. 

Yeah, today his team just got done with a run of 19 games in 18 days. Played every inning. Finally a day off tomorrow, then they start another 12 straight days of games. 

 

There is something to be said about getting at bats every day, though. He is seeing the ball very well, because he has never seen anywhere near this regularity of pitches.

Pop up decided milb was too much work, so he switched to Slowpitch. Games are shorter, less travel and the catchers don't have to crouch behind the plate.

Getting regular at bats is so important. It's tough when you don't get them.

I always tell my husband you just can't claim them when things are good.  That being said, I hate to say but my son was released last week.  He struggled this season with an injury and getting his confidence back and it was not in the cards for him to get a chance to come back next season and get back on track.  I say I hate baseball right now but what I hate is the business aspect.  So true that it is a harder road for those who the team does not have money invested in.  I know it ends for every player at some point, it just stinks more when it is your son.  All in all, it has been a dream come true and a chance of a lifetime for him and although he has been released, he has been truly blessed in every aspect of his life.