This weekend, our college sophomore pitched for the first time in an inter squad scrimmage in front of a crowd (it was parent weekend).
He was sidelined last year after shoulder surgery. Although he couldn't practice or play last year, son went to every practice and every game. He kept the book, worked the scoreboard, and entered the game day, on line play by play. He worked hard on his rehab, not knowing if he would ever be able to play at the college level.
While I couldn't be there this weekend, his Dad was there. Son pitched three innings, started out shaky but finished strong, giving up only one earned run and getting out of the third inning with only 8-9 pitches.
Now, while this wasn't his first appearance in the World Series, the pros, a DI school, or even a college GAME, for heaven's sake, I can't begin to share with you the absolute joy I felt for our son.
It was not his most dominating appearance ever, it won't go in any record book, it may even have looked less than stellar to others, but to us, it was breathtaking.
There were times, over the past year and a half, when it was questionable whether he would ever play again. It is still not clear that he will ever play at his pre-injury potential. But what has become clear is that the dedication, commitment, and discipline that our son has shown reflects his absolute love of the game. The support he has received from coaches, fellow players, instructors, and other parents, has made clear what a special group of people he has been privileged to know.
So, I waited anxiously for the call from his Dad after son's outing. I watched the clock, said many silent prayers, and made myself breathe. I answered the phone before the first ring had finished and listened to the play by play. What I really wanted to know was, how did son feel? Dad put son on phone. So, I asked, how did it go? "I sucked." Wait, I said, you pitched for the first time on a college mound, in a live situation, in front of a crowd and your Dad, and you...(I repeated the play by play). That sounds pretty terrific to me. It sounds like you started out a little nervous, settled down and finished strong and were very effective. "I guess I did OK." But his voice was that of the little league player who had just hit his first home run.
I hung up the phone and smiled. My whole body vibrated with happiness (except for that little part of me that ached because I couldn't be there to see it). When husband returned home, he said that he had a wonderful time over the whole weekend. Son's friends and teammates were terrific. Son seemed much happier with school (he was pretty happy before). He had never seen son happier. Today, two days later, I still tear up with joy as I share this story with you.
So, without being more sappy than I already have been, I would like to encourage every parent and every player to enjoy every minute of the baseball that you have. Whether it is T-ball or the World Series, don't take the joy for granted. Don't define the big wins by the scoreboard and remember, not all benchmarks end up in a record book - just engraved in your heart.
I just wanted to add a huge thanks to Dr. James Andrews who not only is one of the best surgeons, ever, but one of the best cheerleaders a player could ever have. His confidence in our son's ability to return to play made it seem to be an achievable reality for our son.
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