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Was just thinking recently about how much I'm going to miss the experience I had last summer with our 04 son. We were close to half way through the HS season and finishing up the plans for the summer. I was beginning to be a nervous wreck. Where would this all lead? Was he really good enough? What lies ahead? So much uncertainty. I even remember thinking if I could just fast-forward to November, see what was ulitmately going to happen on the college thing, and then go back and maybe relax and enjoy it all.

I did enjoy it all, very much so. We met a lot of great people whom I'll never forget. But somehow I think I missed the chance to relax and really enjoy it as much as I could have. Too much time worrying about "what if's?" that never happened.

05's and parents out there. This summer is going to be so much fun for you, no matter how it turns out. RELAX!! Enjoy it if you can. Try to realize that your son is going to be leaving home soon and these are memories you will never forget. Give him a hug as often as you can. He's doing a hard job - performing in front of many judges, over and over. Could you do it yourself? At 16/17? Pick him up when he's down, celebrate with him when things go well. But more than anything else - ENJOY your son on a memorable journey!
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Justbaseball, great post!

As the parent of an 04, I would like to add one more comment to 05s and their parents:

"I even remember thinking if I could just fast-forward to November, see what was ulitmately going to happen on the college thing, and then go back and maybe relax and enjoy it all."

05s, try to remember that while many of the "top prospects" sign in November, there are MANY good ball players who make their college decision in spring of senior year, or even that summer. Some of these later decisions involve scholarships, many go on to have great college careers, and some even "bloom late" in college and go on to pro baseball.

Do the research, get some exposure, and apply to several colleges, not just your top choice, but don't get too worried if it doesn't lead to a November signing. Good things can happen in spring of senior year or even that summer! Have fun!
My son is an '04 and has had the great fortune of being accepted to college and recruited to play baseball there.

This last Saturday morning I was driving to his high school game and drove past the local little league T-Ball field. It was an extremely bittersweet feeling. Part of me looking forward to his game and his collegiate future and another part wishing we were back on that T-ball field getting to do it all again.

Enjoy the "ride", it never seems to last long enough.
Great subject.

Now that he's off at college I am continually finding myself looking for excuses during the week to make the 2 1/2 hour drive to go his games (luckily I'm self-employed, can't get anything done on game days), same as I used to be come to think of it! LOL!

It's still so much fun to be a small part of. Different, but fun still the same. The kid that would never pick up a thing off the floor in his room during high school, has turned into quite the little housekeeper now that he has his own place, YEAH! My first trip to vist after he went off to school I walked in the door to his apartment and accused him of having the keys to the manager's apartment it was neat as a pin! I was speechless. He even went as far as to say "my roomate's a slob, I'm always picking up after him" again I was speechless, I thought "who are you and what have you done with my son"!

Quite a transformation in a few short months. I agonized with him while he went through the growing pains of him trying get in the lineup, and I'm riding the wave with him as he has appeared to have broken the starting lineup for about 3 weeks now playing full games for the last 2 weeks, boy I was wondering when those coaches were going to come to their senses Roll Eyes

Roll back the clock? At one time maybe, but not any longer, this new ride is as fun as any of the old ones, enjoy it!!
I just thought of something....this might be helpful to another high school player and his parents who are starting the journey...

Just the other day I asked my son (04) and his friend (they were playing ping pong)...

I asked about a freshman pitcher in our area. Not knowing the kid very well, I was just curious as I knew/know his parents are hopeful that their pitcher son will have options down the road...

This is how it went...

"So what do you two think of so and so..."

Son's friend says, "All I know is he hits people....."

Son adds, "I think he needs some work..."

They added a couple of other observations and I had to stop them...

I told them "listen to yourselves - you two are going to college this fall"...

(mine for baseball and my son's friend for football)...

I reminded them that if their dreams had been squashed when they were 14 or 15 ....would they be looking forward to playing their sport after high school...

I quickly told them that this boy has aspirations to follow his own dreams, too..

I said all this to say...a lot can happen between the ages of 14 -18...they grow, they hopefully mature, they either love the game and live for it or find other pursuits...they must keep their grades up...and each must find out where his skill level measures in the spectrum of things...

But, as a parent I say, relish those moments and cherish who they are becoming...be it on a field or at home...

I've journaled for the last 15 years ...and it's amazing how many things you forget and how many of those seemingly huge problems are only a blur now...but when you look into the eyes of the young men who our son's are becoming ... it is remarkable how overwhelming this feeling can be...

I have a favorite photo from 1992...my oldest son wearing his catcher gear drinking his little brother's drink between innings at a scrimmage...and little brother was gazing up into his brother's eyes...

Big brother was a senior in high school and little brother was 4 years old...and now little brother is that senior in high school too...

It feels like yesterday...

Your child is a great gift...unwrap the present...and enjoy...
Although my son is an '06, I am truly excited. This being his first varsity year, and so far so good. However, as I drive past the little league fields on my way home from work, I truly miss those days. I am extremely proud of what my son has accomplished, and look forward to many more fantastic days. I can't help but remember, when me and him used to just sit in the outfield grass and watch the butterflies and he would laugh that little boy belly laugh that they all have. God for just one more day of those. Too each of our sons who performs in front of many many judges under extremely tremendous pressure, I salute you. Too all the parents who were more nervous than the boys were and did such a great job of raising future leaders of america, I am proud of you. Take care and I hope to meet you on up the road.

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