Advice to self

Awesome post JP24, well said. 

 

JP, nice thread.  Forgive me since I've told this story so many times.  My daughter was playing in a softball game and I just could not sit down.  You know how all of those parents stress over every pitch, at bat, ball hit to their child,...I was one of them.  I stressed too much.  One day my daughter asked me why it was that when she came up to bat that I stood up.  She asked if I didn't have faith in her abilities.  Well, sure I did.  So, I tell myself now for her games that she noticed when I was not there in the chair.  I'll just sit in the chair and what every happens is fine.  She is getting to play the game she loves.  It is so much less stressful now.  I enjoy the game so much more.  

I only stand up and get real excited if my wife or daughters burn my food.  

 

Sounds very much like me.  I usually started most games sitting down in my chair, but then I'd get excited or just couldn't sit anymore so I'd be standing (pacing actually) and by the time I wanted to go back to sit in my chair my grand daughter had stolen my seat so I had no choice but to continue to stand and cheer.  But that was when my son played HS ball.  Now that he's at the college level, I more apt to find a spot and stay there unless my wife assigns me camera duty.  Then I'm off moving about to get good pics.

 

And yeah, JP, I agree, at the end of the day, it's just a game.  And yes, enjoy the ride.  It'll be over before you know it.

Just remember no matter how long your plays the game. He will be your son for life. Your relationship with him is more important than a game. He's your son that just happens to play baseball. Not a baseball player that just happens to be your son. Good post

The day that my son was released from professional baseball, I hurt for the upset person on the other end of the phone who had just gotten the word. Early in the conversation, he said, "Dad, one of the main reasons I hate this so badly is that you and Mom have so enjoyed watching me play over the years; and, now, I'll never be able to do that for you again."

 

Thankful for the opportunity, I replied, "Son, it was never really about baseball, itself. It was about you and our love for you. We look forward to watching whatever  the next chapter for you brings and will get every bit as much enjoyment from that as we have in the chapter that just concluded."

 

...and you know what? We have, and we are.

 

Thanks for the great posts that prompted this recollection.

Prepster your post brought tears to my eyes. Simply an awesome post. This Sat I will be watching my coach his first game. If I had to crawl on broken glass to get there I would. I know you understand. That's just one reason this site is so special.

So right JP24.   Throwing, catching and hitting a baseball is magical.  I know I feel it when I play catch with my sons.  

 

I'm going to remember your post as I watch my oldest son's 40+ college games, youngest son's 22+ high school games and follow middle son's 56+ college games.   A little perspective goes a long way.   I'm going to visualize "my happy place" or "my chilling place" when I feel stress coming on, and remember it is just a game.

 

 

Great stuff!  I definitely agree with all of the great posts above.  I still fall into the stress mode like most on this site.  But, I've come to realize that if we are stressing about our sons on the baseball field, we have it pretty good.  Millions of parents would trade places with us in a heartbeat.  Obviously our children are healthy and have been blessed by God to be able to play this game.  Too many parents are facing life-threatening situations with their children on a daily basis.  When it comes down to it, it is just a game that some get to enjoy longer than others.  God Bless. 

This!  +1000

Well said JP. Very nice Marklaker/Prepster. So true.

I hang my head in shame sometimes of my inability to do just that.

Enjoy the ride!

 

This dialogue brings to mind my favorite quote about fishing, attributed to Henry David Thoreau:

 

"Many men fish all their lives without ever realizing that it is not really the fish they are after."

 

A thousand pardons to the great poet, but ...

 

Many parents hope for their sons' baseball success all their lives without ever realizing that it is not really baseball success they are after.

I think Thoreau would have approved.

I have gotten my own "come to realize why I love watching kids play moment" just recently.

 

I have 5 kids (2014 is in the middle of them). All athletic, paticipating in a variety of basketball, Baseball, softball, volleyball over the years or currently. Youngest daughter is 12. She plays basketball for 7th grade team. In October she came down with some kind of stomach ailment, hurt very badly every day and never went away completely. Pain was "9" to "3" always. No one could figure it out, She missed LOTS of school. Might have made 5 days of school from early October thru January. She basically made the 7th grade team because of her previous year, showed up at first try out date but could not participate because of stomach. Hadn't been to a practice nor game because she was missing school.

 

Mom was stressed out, Dad was stressed out (me). Brothers and sister were stressed out. and she was VERY stressed out at the unknown of the ailment.

 

2 weeks ago, we found the answer. With some medication our little 12 girl was back, Smiling, happy, energetic.

 

As I said, she was on the 7th grade team "because" but had not participated in anything. It was very near end of season 1 game left and end of tournament all that was left when she went to first practice. We expected nothing, nor did she. She was just happy to be playing with her friends. She didn't play the last regular season game but was at end of bench cheering and smiling, We were in the stands doing the same. Won first game of tournament, same thing. 2nd game they got crushed (last game of season). With 2 minutes left, coach put Lauren in, She was so excited, so were her teammates, her brothers and sister, her friends in the stands, the parents of those other players, but mostly Mom and Dad. Our little girl was back.

 

No one cared what the score was that day, I will never forget that day 

 

That moment told me why I love to wach my kids play. it is not about thier success, or thier teams, it is about watching my little boy or girl.  

Chef not supposed to make a grown man get misty eyed at work.

 

Glad your daughter is okay.  Thanks for sharing.