Enjoying the ride

Nice post.

Those thoughts were basically mine before the 2008 and 2009 drafts.

Look, some kids want to be actors. Some want to be doctors or lawyers. Some want to be entertainers or artists and some want to be CEO's. Some want a military career and some want to raise their kids while staying at home. Hundreds of possibilities and that is why I am thankful we live in a free country.

Some want to be baseball players however and what is wrong with that? Entertainers who get to go out every night on stage and perform and hopefully make people happy. Allow them to escape from their stressful lives. Many here say that academics are the key and although I don't disagree with that, it may not be the key for a ballplayer. Sometimes, a ballplayer simply has to believe even when proper society is telling them otherwise.

floridafan,
What a poignant post filled with thoughts..and emotion.
Looking through the rear view mirror, and knowing the reality, harshness and exhilaration which comes through the draft and the Milb experience, it truly can teach our sons "the" lesson about baseball. I believe that lesson should/could extend to us as parents.
That lesson is to pay attention and learn to focus and control only the things you can.
For our sons, that is what they do from the time they arrive at the field until the time they leave, combined with the preparation(mentally and physically) to compete.
What does that mean for us as parents? In my view, it means we should be parents and fans.
We should not take this personally. We need to take off the rose colored glasses. We should not look or speak about our sons in terms of how we think they should be appreciated as contrasted with how they are. We should not create expectations or predictions for our sons, especially in public ways.
Scouts in a living room/advisors on the phone: to me they are quite private because no one knows until next June whether any of this is meaningful. Once that scout leaves and ends the discussion, we have no control. Injuries happen. Life happens.
Baseball humbles even the very best of players at some point and the higher they get, the more humility they can experience.
When our sons get to the level of yours, they put more than ample pressure on themselves. If you have the feelings about the draft and future expressed in your post, I expect our son is feeling them 10 fold, or more.
Eventually, there is a reality for us as parents: either our sons have the talent, desire, heart and mental make up or they don't.
That isn't for us to judge, advocate and we surely cannot protect them.
What we can do is be humble in realizing they are pursuing this game at very high levels.
It can all end tomorrow if someone we don't know and will never meet says the talent is not enough, or it can all end tomorrow with an injury.
I love your conclusion and realization to enjoy every minute of every game you can watch this Spring because you cannot control anything else, other than to remove any pressure and expectations we as parents might bring to the process.
Good luck to your son in his pursuit of a great season. Enjoy the ride.

Wow - loved your post as well infielddad. I especially liked the part about keeping things private because I believe more harm than good can come from letting people know how many draft cards are being filled out or how much smoke some advisor is blowing up someone's behind.

I believe this whole thing is about a belief and a joy that goes back to early childhood. For some reason, some kids simply love baseball and that follows them into adulthood. Hopefully, that joy and desire translates into the ultimate phone call on draft day.

I remember watching the draft boards on the Internet the day my son was drafted. I got more and more discouraged as I saw names come off who imho were at least questionable. When my son's name was finally called, it felt like the clouds had lifted but I am still not sure why it had to last that agonizingly long. Some things are just meant to be as they are.

quote:

Eventually, there is a reality for us as parents: either our sons have the talent, desire, heart and mental make up or they don't.
That isn't for us to judge, advocate and we surely cannot protect them.
What we can do is be humble in realizing they are pursuing this game at very high levels.
It can all end tomorrow if someone we don't know and will never meet says the talent is not enough, or it can all end tomorrow with an injury.
I love your conclusion and realization to enjoy every minute of every game you can watch this Spring because you cannot control anything else, other than to remove any pressure and expectations we as parents might bring to the process.

Thanks for posting this as I need to be reminded of this everyday. This particular aspect and time has or is, the hardest part for me so far. Thank goodness for him, he is 4 hours away in that the distance helps remove me from any extra pressure I might create. Again, great post and one I will read every day.

He is enjoying the ride.

Good stuff.

FWIW, I do feel that son's education was very instrumental in his journey. One should never discourage a player to pursue the game at the highest level, however, I do believe that being realistic should play an important part in that pursuit. JMO.

Every season, for every player at any level, might be the last, enjoy today, and don't worry about tomorrow.

This is the best advice I can give, though at times I myself find it hard to follow.

Great post Floridafan! Just the other day I was on the road (passenger) and was a ways from home remembering being up in that area for a summer game of our son's. I don't think I realized it at the time how short the amount of time he had left playing. Ever since he was 9, each time spring came around I looked forward so much to his baseball, the time at the fields, interacting with the other parents and making friends. The wins and the losses, and seeing him grow each year. In Western Washington it seems he's played at just about every field. I drive by a field and the good memories come back.

Some of us are fortunate enough to see our sons play an extra four years of college ball. Now in college, so many of our sons are away from home and play so far from home, we are lucky to catch 3 or 4 series. So parents of the younger guys, try to make every game, the time passes so quickly. College ball is so well played, but my favorite years were his pre-HS years.

Yes baseball has been a good ride for us hasn't it. Spring time will be different for me once his final season has passed.

Great posts!
I remember so many times when I told myself to soak in the moment, because it may not happen again. If I could pick one to go back to, I'm not sure I wouldn't pick a high school game over a MLB one. Looking back, I realize that I loved them all...the good, the bad, and even the ugly.

Now that its over, I miss it and don't know why. We get to see our sons more often, they're happy, and we have less stress in our lives. There's something special about watching your son play baseball, though ... pre game rituals, team taking the field, the smell of the grass, etc. Priceless!

My advice is to spend your time enjoying each game and resist the urge to think about the future. Look for the good in every situation and ignore the bad. When its all over, and it will be for everyone at some point, you'll wish you had.

Great thoughts from everyone. Congrats to all the son's who have or are working on makin' it!
As my son gets ready for his last hs year, I am torn between heartbroken and excited, time goes so fast. Wishing time could stand still for a bit.
I try to slow down his thoughts,he anxiously is waiting for the next step to arrive and me telling him let's get the hs season started first. Relax...

Just hoping all his dreams and hardwork get him where he wants to be....hopefully he too will be waiting for the phone to ring in June of this year or any June..
down the road....see what life's gonna hold....

I too certainly enjoyed reading through this thread and reflect on many things. It is very exciting to watch our sons play and have thoughts of what the future might hold. I had a great day yesterday as I saw mine take the mound again. We have no idea what the future holds for our players or ourselves so we try to enjoy each moment we have watching them play. I can see it in his eyes when he tells me about some of the scouts that have contacted him. Yet he says he is not focused on the draft, "we have a great season ahead of us and I am going to enjoy that before I worry about the draft". At this point I am loving every minute I get to watch and pray that he stays healthy and the team achieves their goals. But in the back of my mind I have to say I also hope he does get to realize that dream and get drafted! This year or next. Of course next year he will be in graduate school

Over the weekend I watched an ESPN interview with Tom Brady.
The subject was his feelings during the NFL draft when he fell to the 7th round and almost the last pick.
In a sense I was very surprised and, in a sense, not surprised at all as he described, and then began to display his reactions to dropping with so many QB's being taken before him.
He literally became teary eyed, and apologetic for his tears, in talking about how he felt during the draft as each pick passed.
The emotions then became pronounced as he commented on what it meant to have the support of his parents on that day and at that time.
He didn't say it but I would guess those feelings played a role in shaping who he has become on a football field.
His emotions demonstrated, to me, what pressure players/competitors can feel from the draft process.
Because it is compressed to 7 rounds, football might be somewhat different from baseball in the intensity and uncertainty aspects, for sure.
I don't think Tom Brady is all that unusual from most baseball players, though, in expressing the pressures and feelings that get generated in hopes of having your name announced someplace in a draft...and why we as parents truly can help in adding support and enjoyment to their ride.

Our son just finished up his JC career, it went by so fast. As he stated, he never worked so hard or had so much fun in his life. Too bad his last game was a crushing defeat at home. For those who's goal is MLB, I will state from son's experience, a position player batting .200 or lower will never get that call. In college if you don't hit over .300 no matter how good defensively, you won't get drafted. There are only two things they look for, hitters like Harper, and pitchers that throw in the 90's. And they prefer lefties to boot.

Hence the title of the thread! As i was told here some 5 years ago by the "Old Timers", Enjoy The Ride!

The Draft has always been about more than BA. It is about projection and existing tools, and beyond that what the individual teams are looking for. Last year my son hit .458 with 99 hits, 9 HR's, 14 Dbl's, 3 Triples and 60 something RBI's while playing JUCO here in Florida. He was watched by scouts and did predraft workouts, but he did not get his name called. If you focus on stats it will drive you crazy, I speak from experience. However I have yet to fully accept my own observations.

Oh yes, it is about signability as well. That is something you sometimes learn as you go along, and Dad's always think their son is worth more than the MLB does .

quote:

Originally posted by Pop Up Hitter dad:
Our son just finished up his JC career, it went by so fast. As he stated, he never worked so hard or had so much fun in his life. Too bad his last game was a crushing defeat at home. For those who's goal is MLB, I will state from son's experience, a position player batting .200 or lower will never get that call. In college if you don't hit over .300 no matter how good defensively, you won't get drafted. There are only two things they look for, hitters like Harper, and pitchers that throw in the 90's. And they prefer lefties to boot.

I have to respectfully disagree with some of the above, you do not have to hit 300 in college or throw in the 90's to get drafted. Harper is an exceptional talent that is hard to repeat, if that is what they are looking for in a position player, hardly anyone would get drafted.
Being a lefty is an advantage, sometimes, not always.
I think what people need to do is understand the draft process, understand what is expected at the pro level,really understand what they are looking for in a future prospect.When that is understood it doesn't become personal.

Haven't had much time to reply to the feeling evoked in this thread.Been traveling to see son, new puppy and a husband who needs bilateral hip replacements asap.

So I am enjoying the rainy day and catching up with old friends, bills, paperwork etc.

Baseball has been an incredible journey.Ive seen awesome things that none of us will forget.My own sons journey has been a long one with many obstacles as many of your own sons have faced.

The injury that took him out for last summer, and half of the Fall probably hurt his chance of the draft this year, and his stats dont bear out being drafted.

The season this year has been the toughest in so many ways.Cleveland dad, and Coach May have been friends in the truest sense of the word.

Since my son will 99.99 % be returning for his senior year I cant express my feelings in order to protect his future.I know that many people of high positions feel my son has a legit shot to get an opportunity at the next level, but we have no control.

This year my son faced the recovery of five day a week rehab along with practice, weights and 16 units.Fall was hell, no time at all with 5 hours of rehab on top of it all.

He persevered through it and early season when he found himself sitting on the bench.I cant discuss those days as they evoke emotions that cant be discussed at this time.

But something happened to us.Something has and is happening to my son.He has become a man.And I mean that with the utmost respect for him as a parent can have,I would have quit(and I am not a quitter).
I would of walked away and never looked back.

Through this journey we have learned so much.I really am considering writing a book from a moms point of view.LOL

Stats do not tell the picture of a young man who has had a season of drilling the ball right at people with nothing to show for it.ALL season long.And it happens in the pros as well.

But you cant control those things. A very professional baseball man who has been a friend in many ways.he told my son when things werent going well this " you cant control anything but your work ethic and preparation for the game, prepare the same everyday, take your hacks in the cages, be a team guy, be prepared always for when you get your chance, and that as hard as it is in college its tougher at the next level." He told him that nothing is always fair and that to stay in this game it is a mental battle that gets tougher as you go up.

My son took his advice, he persevered through unproven guys getting time over him and other veterans, and so much more that he took.As a mother I have to reserve myself on commenting any further.

As the season winds down, summer ball is on the horizon, and my dream is for my son to go to summer ball and have fun.He is going to a resort area, with 3,000 fans a night(dont have that at his college).I want him to love the game, as he once did as a little boy.After all that has gone on he still loves the game.That amazes me.

Yes the draft will be a disappointment for him,,his dream of his life will go by him for now,but God has his own plans.

Seeing Cory Hahn this weekend brought my emotions to the front.I watched my son healthy playing a game he has played since he could walk.And I now know that his fate is out of my hands.It never was in my hands.

I am so proud and in awe of all our boys for the hard work, injuries they have had to overcome other hardships they may or not be able to control.We all have much to be proud of and we are blessed.

My prayer is that for all the young me to be in the place that God has for them this upcoming draft.And to trust his decision, and everyone else as well.

The funny thing is I came on here looking at ways for my son to make the Highschool team, he did that, and his dream of playing high level college baseball,and he did that.many never do this.

When we beat ASU for the series this past weekend, it was the best.So rewarding for a team that has struggled. I looked around and thought I am at a PAC 10 series, watching my son compete against the best, beautiful field, and though there are a million kids who would love to be in this spot someday.The little league players wanting autographs.Good stuff.great stuff.

So much to be proud of, all of us.Our sons know how to persevere, battle and compete,and we are a part of that as we raised them.

quote:

Originally posted by fanofgame:
But something happened to us.Something has and is happening to my son.He has become a man.And I mean that with the utmost respect for him as a parent can have,I would have quit(and I am not a quitter).
I would of walked away and never looked back.

Through this journey we have learned so much.I really am considering writing a book from a moms point of view.LOL

First, thanks for mentioning me. I think the world of Coach May and know that you have gotten the very best advice possible from him.

I like the part about you and your family trusting in God. That means more than batting averages. Your son becoming a man will truly help him at the next level and I believe he is indeed a next level player.

For now, get him to focus on leading that team back to the promised land. This game is bigger than egos. For those teams that can learn to care more about the group than individuals, magical things can happen. Your son has that magical thing within him to lead them that way. Encourage him that way.

quote:

Originally posted by fanofgame:
But you cant control those things. A very professional baseball man who has been a friend in many ways.he told my son when things werent going well this " you cant control anything but your work ethic and preparation for the game, prepare the same everyday, take your hacks in the cages, be a team guy, be prepared always for when you get your chance, and that as hard as it is in college its tougher at the next level." He told him that nothing is always fair and that to stay in this game it is a mental battle that gets tougher as you go up.

I think I know who gave that advice, that is advice that people who really understand it all give to players, and the players who grasp that concept are the ones that move forward. Definetly correct about if you think it's hard at the college level, it's a whole lot tougher at the next.

You do not have to be a superstar to be drafted.
You do not have to have outstanding stats.

I agree with CD's advice, continue on the path he has taken, things have a way of working out, especially when you least expect it.

Sbove all, be positive, for yourself and for your player. There is only so much one has control over, you cannot worry about what you can't control.

CD,

I am hoping that he can go back and be a captain next year.The younger guys respect him and like him.Being a captain is an awesome honor.

Thanks TPM, CD, for your support.

Its a learning curve for all of us.

fan,
If Matt does not get drafted, playing for the Newport Gulls is an awfully nice option. Matt is a fine player. I posted last year my impressions of him and I still believe he will prove me right when I said I thought he could hit with a tooth pick.
For our son, Newport was one of his best Summers and best experiences in baseball. He is still friends with the ownership group after many years, even to the extent they contact him to come back to Newport.
Cardines field is just wonderful. Oldest and one of the best baseball parks in America. Nothing like it in the West.
Great, great fans and community support.
The ownership group for the Gulls is second to none in terms of how they support and treat their players.
I sure hope you can make a trip to Newport. Watching our son play there, meeting a lot of people and all that surrounded that Summer are still truly memorable.

infielddad,

Thanks so much.We have heard nothing but great things about the Newport Gulls.I am just hoping Matt enjoys it and has fun. USC has won their last two series against ASU and OSU. Big series wins, and also beat Stanford, Oregon, Washington, but will finish overall below .500.

Its been a very tough season for us. I am glad you see what many others see, but not sure scouts saw it this year.Life has a path and Matt has to take the path given to him.

Your words of support mean a lot right now.Hope all is well.

quote:

Originally posted by fanofgame:
Baseball has been an incredible journey.Ive seen awesome things that none of us will forget.My own sons journey has been a long one with many obstacles as many of your own sons have faced.


This year my son faced the recovery of five day a week rehab along with practice, weights and 16 units.Fall was hell, no time at all with 5 hours of rehab on top of it all.

But something happened to us.Something has and is happening to my son.He has become a man.

Stats do not tell the picture of a young man who has had a season of drilling the ball right at people with nothing to show for it.ALL season long.And it happens in the pros as well.

But you cant control those things. A very professional baseball man who has been a friend in many ways.he told my son when things werent going well this " you cant control anything but your work ethic and preparation for the game, prepare the same everyday, take your hacks in the cages, be a team guy, be prepared always for when you get your chance, and that as hard as it is in college its tougher at the next level." He told him that nothing is always fair and that to stay in this game it is a mental battle that gets tougher as you go up.

As the season winds down, summer ball is on the horizon, and my dream is for my son to go to summer ball and have fun.He is going to a resort area, with 3,000 fans a night(dont have that at his college).I want him to love the game, as he once did as a little boy.After all that has gone on he still loves the game.That amazes me.

Yes the draft will be a disappointment for him,,his dream of his life will go by him for now,but God has his own plans.

Seeing Cory Hahn this weekend brought my emotions to the front.I watched my son healthy playing a game he has played since he could walk.And I now know that his fate is out of my hands.It never was in my hands.

I am so proud and in awe of all our boys for the hard work, injuries they have had to overcome other hardships they may or not be able to control.We all have much to be proud of and we are blessed.

My prayer is that for all the young me to be in the place that God has for them this upcoming draft.And to trust his decision, and everyone else as well.

The funny thing is I came on here looking at ways for my son to make the Highschool team, he did that, and his dream of playing high level college baseball,and he did that.many never do this.

So much to be proud of, all of us.Our sons know how to persevere, battle and compete,and we are a part of that as we raised them.

Really fanofgame, a beautiful post that describes what so many of us out here, have and are experiencing. If you wrote a book, I would read it, even if it were from a Mom's perspective!

Best of luck this year to all our prospects who hope to continue on to play the game we all love.

floridafan,

Sending you a PM

Re reading through this thread just was like wow.
I know we are to refrain from promoting our own kids but felt this significant.

Reading Florida Fans and my own feelings about our boys getting a chance at the next level.

Florida fans son Eric Grabe was drafted by the White Sox and assigned to the Appalacian Rookie league.This week he was named a leage all star and voted MVP.

My own son Matt Foat signed as a free agent for the Nationals.He was assigned to the Gulf Coast Rookie league and was also chosen as an all star.

I know this is just rookie ball,But every level of this game is a challenge in more ways than just playing the game.

Both these players work hard and succeeded at the level they were placed at.All you can do is play hard and work hard.You have no control of the levels or the promotions.

Congrats Florida Fan.Eric is showing people he can play the game.

Thanks Fan! Congrats to Matt as well!

Here is a picture of Eric receiving his award, it was an exciting time in Bristol!

Awesome,what a great looking young man!!!!!

Love the necklace.The ultimate one in control

Great story! Hopefully your son will be in my part of the country next year. The White Sox have affiliates in Winston-Salem, Kannapolis, and Charlotte.

Congratulations to both boys for making all stars!

I've followed both these kids and both are deserving all-stars. They each did their part as well. They had no control about where they were drafted or where they were assigned but the did have control once they found their names on a roster. That's the way it works. Once your name gets penciled in on the roster, you have essentially the same chance as the million dollar bonus guy except he'll likely get a few more opportunites to fail.

The next level is all about taking an opportunity and making something of it and these boys have!

Congratulations to all. Great accomplishments!

Darn, I just love to read stories of guys who overcome the draft "odds" and succeed.
I have to figure out why!
fan and floridafan, Huge congratulations to each of you and especially to your sons. This is one big step. It takes a special effort by players who work(I like grind) every day, every pitch and every AB.
Grinding is good!

quote:

Originally posted by infielddad:
Darn, I just love to read stories of guys who overcome the draft "odds" and succeed.
I have to figure out why!
fan and floridafan, Huge congratulations to each of you and especially to your sons. This is one big step. It takes a special effort by players who work(I like grind) every day, every pitch and every AB.
Grinding is good!

Grinding is good - I like that!

I told both fanofgame and floridafan before and after the draft that all that mattered was that their kids got a shot somewhere and then doing something with that. These boys have made the most of their opportunity and that has to be the most satisfying part along with getting to play at a higher level next year - they earned it!

Awesome for both young men!

Way to go Eric and Matt!

Congrats to both players and their parents! Here's hoping they both continue the upward mobility.