We need a new topic, so I'm going to start one. What is your fondest baseball memory involving your son? Sons are welcome to post as well as moms.
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twotex- I posted the following a while back and to be honest I feel as though it is appropriate to repost because it hits on what you are looking for and I don't think I could write up another post that would display the information in a different/better way:
"My earliest memory of baseball is at about the age of 3. My family lived in an apartment complex outside of New York City and had a playground in the back of the complex, which overlooked the vast parking garage and a golf course in the distant rear. Most of the kids that lived in the apartment building played on the swings or in the jungle gym in the playground with their parents keeping a watchful eye on them (well, sometimes maybe one watchful eye, and the other in a magazine while sitting on the bench). But I kind of got bored of the swings (the back and forth repetition wasn't as exciting for me as most 3 year olds) and the slide was about 8 feet high, which provided for about a second's worth of thrill before I was forced to climb my way back up the stairs just to do it all over again. Because of these things, my favorite thing to do in the playground area was play baseball.
My dad worked later into the evenings in NYC, and my mom was home in the afternoons. At the time, my baseball equipment collection consisted of a whiffle ball and one of those Little Tikes bats, that had a flat part to it. And lo and behold, chances are you could find my mom and I out behind the apartment building in the playground playing whatever baseball game we could think of. We would play home run derby, strike-em-out, and my personal favorite...the game where I hit the ball and Mom had to go chase it and throw it back to the plate before I got there, otherwise it was a home run.
These games stopped after a year or so, after I hit a screamer back to the mound (Mom, underhanding it about 20 feet in front of me) with enough force to crack her sunglasses when it made contact. That's when my parents decided to sign me up for Little League.
Now at the not-as-tender age of 21 I am still playing ball (no longer hitting, but now finding myself on the mound myself) in college. And while Mom doesn't make her way onto the playing field with me anymore, there's always an extreme comfort level that I feel when her and/or my father are in the stands watching me play. After games, wherever they may be, I spend time recapping with Dad. We analyze the pitches I threw and how results could have changed, etc. But when I need an emotional lift, or an ego check, I always turn to Mom. She'll tell it how it is, with respect and love. After all, she's been watching me play longer than anyone else has.
No matter how many thousands of people show up to watch the games I'm playing in, memories of whiffle ball with Mom will be forever. It's difficult many times for kids to take a step back and appreciate all the things done for them, but without motherly support 99 out of 100 successful baseball players wouldn't be where they are today. Whether mothers soft toss to you, bring you Gatorade, or drive you halfway across the country to play in a tournament, they do it simply because it makes them happy to see you happy."
"My earliest memory of baseball is at about the age of 3. My family lived in an apartment complex outside of New York City and had a playground in the back of the complex, which overlooked the vast parking garage and a golf course in the distant rear. Most of the kids that lived in the apartment building played on the swings or in the jungle gym in the playground with their parents keeping a watchful eye on them (well, sometimes maybe one watchful eye, and the other in a magazine while sitting on the bench). But I kind of got bored of the swings (the back and forth repetition wasn't as exciting for me as most 3 year olds) and the slide was about 8 feet high, which provided for about a second's worth of thrill before I was forced to climb my way back up the stairs just to do it all over again. Because of these things, my favorite thing to do in the playground area was play baseball.
My dad worked later into the evenings in NYC, and my mom was home in the afternoons. At the time, my baseball equipment collection consisted of a whiffle ball and one of those Little Tikes bats, that had a flat part to it. And lo and behold, chances are you could find my mom and I out behind the apartment building in the playground playing whatever baseball game we could think of. We would play home run derby, strike-em-out, and my personal favorite...the game where I hit the ball and Mom had to go chase it and throw it back to the plate before I got there, otherwise it was a home run.
These games stopped after a year or so, after I hit a screamer back to the mound (Mom, underhanding it about 20 feet in front of me) with enough force to crack her sunglasses when it made contact. That's when my parents decided to sign me up for Little League.
Now at the not-as-tender age of 21 I am still playing ball (no longer hitting, but now finding myself on the mound myself) in college. And while Mom doesn't make her way onto the playing field with me anymore, there's always an extreme comfort level that I feel when her and/or my father are in the stands watching me play. After games, wherever they may be, I spend time recapping with Dad. We analyze the pitches I threw and how results could have changed, etc. But when I need an emotional lift, or an ego check, I always turn to Mom. She'll tell it how it is, with respect and love. After all, she's been watching me play longer than anyone else has.
No matter how many thousands of people show up to watch the games I'm playing in, memories of whiffle ball with Mom will be forever. It's difficult many times for kids to take a step back and appreciate all the things done for them, but without motherly support 99 out of 100 successful baseball players wouldn't be where they are today. Whether mothers soft toss to you, bring you Gatorade, or drive you halfway across the country to play in a tournament, they do it simply because it makes them happy to see you happy."
Josh, thanks for reposting this. I almost mentioned it in my original post, as this is one of the more memorable posts I've read.
Twotex, Love this idea! I'll have think of one or two, there are so many.
I just know what stands out are all the "thanks, mom"s I get through all of this.
Josh, thanks for the story! How is your 5th year search going?
I just know what stands out are all the "thanks, mom"s I get through all of this.
Josh, thanks for the story! How is your 5th year search going?
You know, we don't do it for the thanks but is sure does feel good when you get one.
How can I condense 17 years of baseball memories into one post? All I can say is I'll try.
At this time my favorite memories occurred early on in the process. When he was named to his "All-Star" Dixie youth team as a 7 year old, a mom of an 11 year old told me to always carry a first-aid backpack to the games. I followed her advice and carried the same bag from that time until he left for college.
I was also the "team mom" back when we still provided drinks for practices/games. Just last week I "bequeathed" the large drink dispenser to my daughter's boyfriend who is a middle school baseball coach. It had just been taking up space in our garage for years.
I look forward to creating other memories until he hangs up his cleats and removes his catcher's mask for the final time.
At this time my favorite memories occurred early on in the process. When he was named to his "All-Star" Dixie youth team as a 7 year old, a mom of an 11 year old told me to always carry a first-aid backpack to the games. I followed her advice and carried the same bag from that time until he left for college.
I was also the "team mom" back when we still provided drinks for practices/games. Just last week I "bequeathed" the large drink dispenser to my daughter's boyfriend who is a middle school baseball coach. It had just been taking up space in our garage for years.
I look forward to creating other memories until he hangs up his cleats and removes his catcher's mask for the final time.
Wow, there are so many. Over the years, I coached him in Little League (try pacing in the dugout while your kid is on the mound pitching), caught balls for him until curve balls were causing bruises on my shins, and hit ground balls to him.
I guess the fondest is when I picked up a bat at the end of a travel ball practice and started hitting ground balls to him. He was in high school and wasn't even embarrassed that Mom was hitting the balls. One of his teammates made a comment about how his Mom couldn't do that (not a disparaging comment but impressed). It's nice that my son doesn't think it's unusual to have Mom working with him. (To be fair, my husband is not the athletic parent.)
Even as he approaches his senior HS season, he still "lets" me soft toss to him and feed the ball machine. He just won't play catch with me anymore (I miss those days).
I guess the fondest is when I picked up a bat at the end of a travel ball practice and started hitting ground balls to him. He was in high school and wasn't even embarrassed that Mom was hitting the balls. One of his teammates made a comment about how his Mom couldn't do that (not a disparaging comment but impressed). It's nice that my son doesn't think it's unusual to have Mom working with him. (To be fair, my husband is not the athletic parent.)
Even as he approaches his senior HS season, he still "lets" me soft toss to him and feed the ball machine. He just won't play catch with me anymore (I miss those days).
quote:Originally posted by carol:
I was also the "team mom" back when we still provided drinks for practices/games.
Carol (and all of you other "team moms") - I commend you for the work that goes into being a team mom. I could never do this because I could never get over the fact that they would ask me to be a team mom before they would ask me to be an assistant coach.
I'm writing on behalf of my wife.
Our son hit his first home run (ever) on Mother's Day 2003 to win the game and tournament championship. By winning this tourney, they became the #1 seed in the AAU state tourney which they won on Fathers' Day. My wife still talks about HER homerun to this day!
Our son hit his first home run (ever) on Mother's Day 2003 to win the game and tournament championship. By winning this tourney, they became the #1 seed in the AAU state tourney which they won on Fathers' Day. My wife still talks about HER homerun to this day!
My favorite thing about baseball....the privilege of spending the time driving to and from with him and sometimes his friends. I loved taking them to lunch between games and just enjoying being around them. Now he is 18 and I am sure this summer he will be happy when I take him early to a game despite the fact I haven't needed to in several years. We both enjoy our time together.
I still soft toss to him in our cage but every time I really don't want to I remind myself it could be the last time he asks. I rather his little sister do it, she is braver than I am now.
Sure I love the occasional home run or glamorous play in the field, I am thrilled he will get to play in college but I will most miss the talks we have had en route.
I still soft toss to him in our cage but every time I really don't want to I remind myself it could be the last time he asks. I rather his little sister do it, she is braver than I am now.
Sure I love the occasional home run or glamorous play in the field, I am thrilled he will get to play in college but I will most miss the talks we have had en route.
I wanted to pick up on this thread, because I just had such a great road trip doing campus tours and unofficial visits with my son this week.
I don't know if this qualified as 'best' baseball memory, but it sure is a memory I will cherish. Just the two of us, we logged about 1200 miles, saw snow in coastal VA, followed by freezing temps in NC, followed by 72 and sun in NC. Lots of time listening to his music (I've learned to appreciate hip hop!), and just talking about life, baseball, school, family.
But what was so great, was watching him interact with these coaches and players. At 4 very different schools, with a range of levels of baseball and academics, he learned invaluable advice from each coach he met. Every single college baseball coach he met was a true gentleman and as gracious as could be. He even got invited to sit and watch bullpens at a terrific D1 school.
I really enjoyed seeing my "adult" son hang with these guys and I know he is ready for the next level. I just don't want it to come too fast!!My husband and I know this process will take time to play out, and we can't predict where he is headed, but we are determined to enjoy the ride and appreciate these days as much as we can.
And now, we are so ready for spring here in New England, and mother nature gives us a little surprise blast of winter today! Thankfully it should all melt tomorrow.
Cheers, everyone.
I don't know if this qualified as 'best' baseball memory, but it sure is a memory I will cherish. Just the two of us, we logged about 1200 miles, saw snow in coastal VA, followed by freezing temps in NC, followed by 72 and sun in NC. Lots of time listening to his music (I've learned to appreciate hip hop!), and just talking about life, baseball, school, family.
But what was so great, was watching him interact with these coaches and players. At 4 very different schools, with a range of levels of baseball and academics, he learned invaluable advice from each coach he met. Every single college baseball coach he met was a true gentleman and as gracious as could be. He even got invited to sit and watch bullpens at a terrific D1 school.
I really enjoyed seeing my "adult" son hang with these guys and I know he is ready for the next level. I just don't want it to come too fast!!My husband and I know this process will take time to play out, and we can't predict where he is headed, but we are determined to enjoy the ride and appreciate these days as much as we can.
And now, we are so ready for spring here in New England, and mother nature gives us a little surprise blast of winter today! Thankfully it should all melt tomorrow.
Cheers, everyone.
glad the trip went well
Thanks Tom, it was great.
I think my fondest memory was a couple of years ago when my son’s travel team went to Cooperstown. It was such a wonderful experience for all the boys…to live in the barracks for the week and play a ton of baseball. 102 teams from around the country and Canada with a common bond. Being from a small town, our boys didn’t expect to do well but they fought hard and made it to the sweet 16. It was the last year of playing on the small fields and the team managed to hit a total of 18 HR’s. My son’s four HR balls from the tourney proudly sit on a shelf in his room and the memories will last a lifetime. It was the last year the boys played together as they all moved on to different tourney/travel teams.