Changes in the Baseball Game

Fungo, Interesting thoughts.

While my son/family have been one of those that have done baseball year-round and yes, actually bought automobiles that would accomodate baseball needs and travel, I don't think we've ever done any of this to get to the next level. The next level has always happened almost as a by-product. While my son has always had a desire to move up, he's played simply because he's loved the game. I fell asleep early last night and he woke me up to tell me about practice. He wasn't excited because of anything other than pure "baseball passion".

I think the kids that get to the next level (at least college) do so as a result of this passion and love for the game. I know mine loves the game and is blessed enough to be able to continue playing while getting money for an education. It's nice to see a player be rewarded, whether it's making a freshman team in HS, getting to play in college, or actually making the bigs! If they have passion, they work hard, long and never complain. They do it because it's what they do. Those kids are the ones you've never had to remind of practice, they throw on their own, they're at the field first and leave last. They get their reward and recognition through moving up to the next level. I don't think the opportunities that exist today are a bad thing - they allow some kids to improve and allow others additional time to spend on what they love doing. I don't think looking back that I would describe any of my son's "work" as work. He might use that word, but I believe if he thought about it, he would say he's been fortunate to have been allowed to have the time of his life playing baseball all these years.

It's been a great ride for our entire family. We've enjoyed being monopolized by baseball.

Fungo

Great post---I recall my LL days when my coaches were ex pros and baseball scouts--that does not happen any more

The corner lot is no longer a baseball diamond created by the neighborhood kids--it is now an apartment building

There are no more neighborhood teams as we knew them as kids--in fact there are no more nieghborhoods

Interesting !!!

Interesting. In my experience, the basic answer to your question is that much was gained rather than lost.

It is not always so simple, however. It seems as it always gets back to the "chicken or the egg" question. Do you do all those things to try and manufacture a player or do you do them out of enjoyment and to help a serious player become better. Without seeing production on the field - I wouldn't be on this message board right now. At the same time, I see some spending a lot of time and money when maybe their lives could be more rewarding in other ways.

I guess my feeling on baseball is like anything else. I think one is always more successful if the motivation is internally driven. If the only reason one works hard at baseball is so they can say they were at the next level, I don't see the rewards being the same as a kid who is at the batting cage just because he loves to have a bat in his hand.


Would Hank Aaron have been an even better player had he been born in the 1980's? I don't know, but I bet he would have loved having the opportunities to spend even more time being involved in baseball as a youth.

Fungo, good post...Lafmom, I agree 100%..It doesn't necessarily need to be one or the other. The times are what they are...in my view there is no need to handwring about the past. I do think about those I know who are never happy where they are. It's all about what is next. That's why the smart guy said "stop and smell the roses once in a while" I guess.

I think the best thing you can ever do for a kid that loves baseball is to leave them wanting more. If they are tired at the end of the season they may not want to play much next time. But, if they finish and want to keep going, imagine their excitement when that time rolls around the next season. I grew up where baseball was a part of my life, not my whole life. Each year as I enjoyed it my parents would let me do a little more. It helped me fall in love with the game, not just playing the game. I went on to play college and coach at high school and am thankful that I never got burned-out like so many kids that I see today.

While our family resembles many of the comments on cars, travel, lessons, etc. ... we've always made sure of one thing: that these activities are what my son wants and asks to do and that he's making a personal commitment to see it through. It's his vision and dream. He asked for batting lessons when he was 11, he asked to play club ball at 12, he asks to see his pitching coach when he's having trouble with his release point, he chose to give up basketball this year to focus on pre-season workouts and gaining muscle mass. Sure it's meant sacrifices ... time, money, lots of driving, professional choices to stay close to home, trying to spread attention and family time across all my kids ... no time for my own personal hobbies. But I'd never want to look back at this time in my life and say I didn't do enough to support and encourage any of my kids to strive for their goals.

Sure, I'm proud of what he's done, and supportive of where he wants to take his dream. But I don't delude myself by trying predict where it's all going to end up. My only 'parental' hope is that he can always look back knowing he made the absolute most of his abilities and opportunities, and became a fulfilled, happy, and better person for it. I just know 20 years from now, at a minimum we'll have some wonderful memories of the things we shared as a family ... and he'll at least have the lessons of dedication, commitment, learning from failure, and hard work towards a personal goal that will serve him in all aspects of his adult life ... that alone makes it a great investment of time and money. And, my son will always know that his family supported him 100%.

How far he wants and is able to take his game is up to him ...

Now my challenge is figuring out how to entertain my 13-yearold twins that are getting dragged along for a HS tournament next week in San Jose ... Any NorCal folks have some pointers on appropriate entertainment options in the San Jose, Santa Clara area? Six Flags?

I agree with all the above esp. about a players want vs a need to improve/push/perform/succeed to a higher level. Years ago we were part of a sporting enviornment where "everyone wins" and that is fun but it doesn't fulfill the need of the "athlete" that wants to see what his and his teams performance can become when you add those lessons, seek out dedicated/knowledgeable coaches, enter those select tournaments, go through those tryout processes, have great parental support, have internal drive and don't forget those let downs when you don't make a team or get a position because you don't have the tools.

Those have all added to my son's character and to our family dynamics. Without "his" desire there is no baseball. Without baseball our family would be minus many, many friends that we have made along the way and we now call them family. What a great feeling to walk into a ballpark, maybe you only get there once or twice a year and there is an old friend that greets you with a hug, that asks you about your family, wants to know "how" your son is doing and even though they may be sitting on the other side of the bleachers they are secretly and internally wanting your son to perform well as you are wanting the same for theirs.

It it wasn't baseball it might have been basketball, judo, music the arts but whatever the choice it is usually the parents that first introduce the sport/activity to the son/daughter but it is the player in that son/daughter that chooses the path with their performance and their drive.

Don't you just love this game of baseball.......

I have been a coach for my entire adult life. My son plays college baseball and my daughter plays high school sports. I have noticed that in more recent years there are more parents and kids who become 'obsessed' (may be too strong of a word) with the 'next level'. In some (not all) of those people, I have noticed that they don't enjoy where they are at now.....I believe that has been lost more than anything else. I also believe that since there are no guarantees about the future, we should definitely enjoy what we have and can experience today....today is the only day that we can truly live.

Baseball is supposed to be fun. When it is not then you do something else. One thing that really astounds me is the opportunity these kids get to make themselves better. Lessons batting facilities. i see the money that parents lay out for these things. Quite honestly growing up I do not think my parents could have afforded what some parents pay. I know if i had the means I would have been hitting and fielding 12 month a year. But some parents feel that this is the magic pill. That all of a sudden a couple of lessons some extra hitting and pitching lessons and whamo the kid is great.

Very good post, grateful.

As John Lennon said, "Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans."

(Of course, he also said, "I am the egg man, I am the walrus, coo-coo-ca-choo"...and there's an arguement for being selective with what you pay attention to. )

"Old school" experience included an avg of two games a week, pickup games in the lot nextdoor (pitchers box out & and RF out), 500, hot box, and with no pals I would hit rocks simulating games. The pickup games were the best, playing until you lost the ball in darkness or someone got hurt. At 14-15 when many of my pals gave up the game I would ride my bike 16 miles round trip for those 2 games a week (pre drivers license). I would watch every second of the 1-2 games on TV each week. The Yankess would be on at least once with Dizzy Dean and Pee Wee Reese. In the winter set up teams with my BB cards.

I agree with grateful...
"obsessed" may be a little strong, but not much!

As rz1 pointed out in another thread.....
we've got fathers with radar guns and
moms with blow dryers.....LOL (that was the funniest thing ever!)

I think the biggest change has come because, we the fans, have technology at out fingertips.
We can follow any game at any time. We are reguritating box scores and lines like they are all-telling when the top baseball people will gently remind some of us that the substance of the story is in the context.

I think the game commentary we are exposed to can be dangerous in that non-baseball people are too critical of players who are learning the way to play at the next level. All you have to do is think how you would react if a "nobody" (as far as you're concerned) made derogatory comments about your child?

Baseball "fans" have all become armchair quarterbacks publicly...a little different from the old days where you had 20/20 vision around the breakfast table and the Globe.

TR talks about the neighborhood corner lot.

My brother spent a LOT of time at ours, as did all the neighbor kids.. And the Dads would wander over to watch with their lawn chairs after dinner, sometimes the girls would join in, Moms would come and chat.

I don't think any of those kids ever played at the next level. Who knows what talent was on that corner lot that wasn't fostered by all the lessons, new techniques etc that Fungo talks about. I would guess about the same amount of talent that our sons have today.

It does seem that it was the rare superstar who went on to play college sports, not just baseball. Our parents just didn't have the resourses to do all the research we can do. I think back then you really did wait for them to come to you instead of being proactive as we are today.

And pbone steele- I can really relate to your problem of entertaining the little ones! My poor youngest daughter got dragged to so many events from her older siblings that I am surprised she is now interested in sports at all!
My best solution is to bring a friend-seems she was never bored when someone came with her. Oh, and don't forget plenty of snackstand money!

Chill,

Player's point of view:

I play as much baseball as possible as often as possible as hard as possible to win as much as possible. If that pays for college, cool. If not, nothing wrong with just playing baseball.