I cannot speak as a pro-player parent (yet?), but I thought with the college season about to get underway, it might be good to talk a little about what you may face as a parent of a college player. For sure, many exciting moments/games. You will probably feel more pressure than before...rest assured that your son very well may not. He is LOVING this.
But here are a few things I have witnessed firsthand that I wasn't necessarily ready for from other fans in the stands:
* Heckling - on the road, especially at a rival school, you can bet your son will be heckled at the plate or on the mound. Especially if he strikes out or gets lit up. Some of its funny, some of it hurts a little...to be honest. Just be aware, it may sound personal, but it really isn't. Just fans being fans.
* Angry hometown fans - Our son got off to an up-and-down start as a pitcher his freshman year. Great outing followed by a horrible outing followed by an ok outing followed by a ?? outing. You get the picture. So I'm sitting near the front row trying to take some photos in about his 5th game or so and as they bring him in out of the bullpen, from behind me I hear, "uh oh, here comes another adventure!" Virtually every emotion cut through me, laughter, sadness, hurt, anger, more laughter. I sat quietly and took my pictures.
* More angry hometown fans - Another parent of a freshman at our son's school (who will likely be a very high draft choice) told me as he watched a game, the fan in front of him (not knowing who was nearby) declared to his friend about this parent's son, "this is the worst XXer I have ever seen in the history of this college!" One week later, this same fan was googling all over this same parent about his great son. Fans are fickle - huh?
* College message boards - I have read fans comments where my son was praised, then ripped, praised again...then ripped yet again. Some have wanted to see him start, others have never wanted to see him on the field again. Its all over the map. I find it funny now. But it was tough at first. You wanna post back - DON'T! (if you can help it ).
I think the main message here is your son is entering a new, magnified and much more intense arena than ever before. Not everyone knows you anymore...or who you are. They are fans. They will say things without realizing. It sounds personal, but its not. It may be genuine, or it may not.
Consider writing down some of the things you hear and read to look back on in a few years. I think you'll enjoy some of them much more later than at the time you first hear it.
Maybe some of the other college or pro parents have some stories to share too? Lets hear 'em!
Good luck!
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