I started commenting to another post, but then I got off topic and thought maybe I should just write in a separate post. There are a lot of load of great baseball people here & great baseball stories, too. And I'm thankful for all because it's just too cool to, for example, see posts from Zach Duke's dad...or (in the past) even Zach himself. But sometimes I shake my head about all of the posts from people who are hitting in the 90s, batting .724, undecided about whether they should accept the full ride from AZ, USC, or Texas, etc. I love reading all of these posts, but it all seems pretty far from reality.
So, I thought I'd toss in an outcome from the other side of the tracks. Maybe it'll be a great feel-good story in years to come, maybe it'll cause the dream to end really soon, or maybe it'll all last a little longer, then fizzle. Who knows?
My son's school has approx. 1300 & they play in 4A (the largest qualification in this state). His school is a baseball powerhouse in this state--last year, the HS went 18-1, & they went to states in Sr. division, Jr. division, and (I think) regular little leagues. For some reason, there are no freshman teams around here, so he was competing against 9th & 10th graders for a slot on the JV team. And it doesn't help any that he's a young '10 (still 14). In his favor, he's an LHP with good command and great movement. Unfortunately, his FB is mid-60s, so he was cut.
Of course, he was devastated...he's been playing since he was 4 & pitching since he was 7. But he's still playing Jr. division baseball this year & although I was afraid he might have some confidence issues, he's more confident than ever this year. A few days after he was cut, he signed up for track so that he can stay in shape and lift for next year.
Despite the blow to the ego and not getting the instruction from excellent coaches this spring, there might be some positives. Because Jr. division and JV baseball overlap here, he'll probably get a lot more innings in by being cut (albeit against much weaker hitters). So, we'll see how it all goes & if he can make the team next year.
Anyway, my advice to him for years has been: enjoy every chance that you have to play baseball because it'll be gone before you know it and to work hard to learn and improve. I'm glad that he seems to be doing both very well this year.
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