For high school parents (or players) and college parents (or players) who know this is the last season at this level, what are your thoughts?
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HS (for youngest son) : Happy...and sentimental. Its been great and I'm just hoping for a healthy season with lasting memories for him and us both. 
quote:Originally posted by justbaseball:
HS (for youngest son) : Happy...and sentimental. Its been great and I'm just hoping for a healthy season with lasting memories for him and us both.
Would love it if people posted pictures this year. Photobucket is a good hosting site for images to share on this site. I can assure everyone, at least one person out there will look at every picture posted - smiles or tears
quote:Would love it if people posted pictures this year. Photobucket is a good hosting site for images to share on this site. I can assure everyone, at least one person out there will look at every picture posted - smiles or tears Smile
...OK, if you insist.
Right now, I'm thinking it's just going to be a lot of fun. We've got a pretty strong team in our district, so should have a winning season. The HS drama is over. 2B has his college commitment and is very happy about it. He'll be able to relax and have fun, and then in the fall he'll still be right here in town. Things will be a lot more intense for him this time next year, so we're glad he has a chance to just enjoy the game and have fun with his HS teammates for a few months.
Right now I'm not thinking any further than that.
quote:and then in the fall he'll still be right here in town.
Wow! Congratulations to 2B and family. I saw you mention he committed in an older thread but I never caught on as to where.
When I first started reading HSBBW, I watched a video of him hitting you linked to a post. I really enjoyed that video.
Not knowing much about this site at that time, that was the moment I realized how serious and valuable the people and content on this site are to the involved baseball parent.
Enjoy the senior season and thanks for your contributions to this website.
College final season. It is hard to imagine not traveling all over the midwest to see games.
It has been a good experience for him though. Away from home, new friends, maturity, and some good baseball. Opening weekend was last week, so the end has started.
It has been a good experience for him though. Away from home, new friends, maturity, and some good baseball. Opening weekend was last week, so the end has started.
Goal one is getting on the field. After shoulder surgery in November my son was told he's out until May or June. After a period of mourning my son took the Bluto (Animal House) approach .... "It's not over until we say it's over." In his last specialist appointment he was upgraded to no throwing until May but swinging the bat and DH'ing should be ok by March 1st (season starts March 15th. Now he has an appointment next week where he expects to be cleared to swing the bat. Last week I caught him hitting off the tee and the garage. As much as I loved it, I stopped him. I guess being told he won't be playing this spring and being in the garage hitting off a tee in February is the makeup thing being discussed in another thread.
His team is defending conference champion. A program that as few as three years ago was a check off win on other team's schedules is now the hunted. They only graduated three players. 1-7 in the lineup are still there. The key is someone stepping up to #1 pitcher.
Getting back to the personal level after missing an entire post junior year recruiting season my son still needs to find a baseball home for college. Based on when his arm is strong again it may involve continued rehab, looking for a baseball home and transferring after freshman year.
But he'll move forward and see what happens. I told my son imagine going to a winter college camp throwing 87 and the coach asks what year he is in high school. Then my son responds, "I'm already here. I had an arm injury last year." He would rather be a position player. But he recognizes his arm may be the best door into college baseball under his circumstances.
When I thought his baseball experience had come to a slamming halt I was disappointed I didn't savior the last game. Now I hope he's in a dogpile at the end of the season again this year. I will tell him to make sure he's on top. Sometimes we forget the advice we give to the parents of young players .... just enjoy the journey.
His team is defending conference champion. A program that as few as three years ago was a check off win on other team's schedules is now the hunted. They only graduated three players. 1-7 in the lineup are still there. The key is someone stepping up to #1 pitcher.
Getting back to the personal level after missing an entire post junior year recruiting season my son still needs to find a baseball home for college. Based on when his arm is strong again it may involve continued rehab, looking for a baseball home and transferring after freshman year.
But he'll move forward and see what happens. I told my son imagine going to a winter college camp throwing 87 and the coach asks what year he is in high school. Then my son responds, "I'm already here. I had an arm injury last year." He would rather be a position player. But he recognizes his arm may be the best door into college baseball under his circumstances.
When I thought his baseball experience had come to a slamming halt I was disappointed I didn't savior the last game. Now I hope he's in a dogpile at the end of the season again this year. I will tell him to make sure he's on top. Sometimes we forget the advice we give to the parents of young players .... just enjoy the journey.
I am very much looking forward to the start of this season but not so much to the end. Son has committed to play college baseball, and even though it's only a two hour drive to the school, I think I'm going to miss having him around the house.
Son is in his last year of J.C. Has not decided where he wants to go next year, but has a couple of offers. Considering the fact that he changed from being a catcher since 7 years old to being a pitcher with little to no experience as a pitcher and had major ACL replacement between H.S. and first year at J.C., he has been very good for himself. Was named as the closer on his team which has won their conference for the last four years.
First game of the season he was called upon, 3 up 3 down, 2 ground outs and the final batter a strike out.Someone said he was clocked a 91 on last pitch.
RJM felt the same way you did 3 years ago, but, like your son is doing he proved to be as strong willed as your son is showing. Best of luck to him. He'll do great.
First game of the season he was called upon, 3 up 3 down, 2 ground outs and the final batter a strike out.Someone said he was clocked a 91 on last pitch.
RJM felt the same way you did 3 years ago, but, like your son is doing he proved to be as strong willed as your son is showing. Best of luck to him. He'll do great.
The most telling part about a level of baseball ending is when it hurts to think about it. That lets you know it was something wonderful while it was there.
I am there with my middle son...shoulder injury...he is healthy now and enjoying his first year at our local JUCO, working and perfecting a very good pool game.
I still hold out hope that he will get the desire back and try again next year. I was not ready for him to be done.
Anyway, we are enjoying shooting pool together, but I miss throwing with him.
I still hold out hope that he will get the desire back and try again next year. I was not ready for him to be done.
Anyway, we are enjoying shooting pool together, but I miss throwing with him.
Good luck with your son's comeback. The great thing about this board is one comes to realize it's not just their own son with issues. When my son got hurt last summer and players with the same level of talent starting getting college offers I asked myself, "Why did this happen to my son?" Sometimes it's not the other guy. Here's to our sons making it back.quote:Originally posted by floridafan:
I am there with my middle son...shoulder injury...he is healthy now and enjoying his first year at our local JUCO, working and perfecting a very good pool game.
I still hold out hope that he will get the desire back and try again next year. I was not ready for him to be done.
Anyway, we are enjoying shooting pool together, but I miss throwing with him.
quote:I am very much looking forward to the start of this season but not so much to the end. Son has committed to play college baseball, and even though it's only a two hour drive to the school, I think I'm going to miss having him around the house.
Important life lessons are taught by investing in a game called baseball. Investment is a powerful yet intimidating reality. Your investment comes with a risk of losing your principle and now you are about to let someone else manage the portfolio. This has not been just speculation on your part; you have done your research. You don’t intend on withdrawing any of the profit, it is donated completely to him. Will it be appreciated? Will he grow with it? Is he prepared?
That feeling there in the pit of your stomach that often intensifies during quiet moments reminiscing. An uneasiness as if you are about to open a box, the contents of which are unknown. That longing for a return to a comfortable place in the past where your commitment began and wonderful memories blissfully followed. An uneasy expectation as if approaching the end of a journey where your companion will continue on and you will turn back alone. In envy wishing you could go too. You’ve sacrificed to this point but now it seems harder. You are committed, you are invested……….stand back………...take a deep breath…………...now let go.
RJM - that is just great news. Thanks for sharing. The HS season is something special.
Its the last rodeo for my older son. Went to a juco, redshirted the 1st year, then played two. Thought that was the end of the line. He transferred to the school he grew up a fan of just to go to school. Tried out as an unrecruited walk on and made the team. Then was caught in the new juco transfer rule - he was not 60% toward a degree after 3 years at the juco. Still got to practice and be around, just couldn't play. So he's eligible this year, his last. Hoping he's able to get a few AB's and an inning here and there. The thing that I am proud of him for is that he has wrung about as much out of his physical potential as he can. If my younger one gets as close to his potential as the older one has his, then he will be a special player.
quote:Enjoy the senior season and thanks for your contributions to this website.
Thank you, tres_arboles! That video was one year ago - we are right now playing in the same pre-season tournament! Great memories. This website is a great place, isn't it.
2B will be going to Santa Fe (in case you thought it was UF ) but it's still a wow for us! Best of luck to your son this season - I'd like to see some video of him in the HS reporting thread this year! I really enjoyed watching the younger players step up in our pre-season game last night.Great news, RJM. Great thread, CD!
This will be the last year of high school ball for my son. He is already committed and signed to play at a college less than ninety minutes from our home. I know that a number of HSBBWeb families have son’s attending school many miles away from home, so I do feel blessed that he’ll be close. In the meantime, I’m going to enjoy his last year of HS, and encourage him to do the same. I'm sure my thoughts on the "Final Season" will be a little more intense when the season is completed, and my wife and I realize that he'll be moving out soon to attend college...Yep, that will be the test!
Had a bad case of the can't-help-its on Saturday.
He still lives in my house, but he's already gone.
He continues to do everything he's supposed to. Making great grades, having a great season, being the good, kind, funny, responsible, independent person that he is. I'm confident that 2Bdad and I have done a good job of raising him, and he's going to be fine.
I know he still lives at home. His room is a mess. His pile of laundry reaches halfway up to the ceiling. Even now that he does his own laundry, he hasn't figured out that he can wear something for 15 minutes and then wear it again without having to wash it. I had to move his car the other day and it smelled like cleats. I remember being so glad when he got his own car - because before then it was always my car that smelled like cleats.
I miss him already.
He still lives in my house, but he's already gone.
He continues to do everything he's supposed to. Making great grades, having a great season, being the good, kind, funny, responsible, independent person that he is. I'm confident that 2Bdad and I have done a good job of raising him, and he's going to be fine.
I know he still lives at home. His room is a mess. His pile of laundry reaches halfway up to the ceiling. Even now that he does his own laundry, he hasn't figured out that he can wear something for 15 minutes and then wear it again without having to wash it. I had to move his car the other day and it smelled like cleats. I remember being so glad when he got his own car - because before then it was always my car that smelled like cleats.
I miss him already.
quote:I miss him already.
2bmom
On of the things I like about this site is reading comments from the mom's that contribute here. Your perspective is sometimes different than us Dad's but always strikes a nerve!
Good luck this last year. Prime9's mom is loving his first College season. Although she too hated to see him leave it's a gift having them close so you can have another four years to enjoy.. P.S., he really needs to play this summer also to be ready for fall ball!
quote:Originally posted by 2Bmom:
I had to move his car the other day and it smelled like cleats. I remember being so glad when he got his own car - because before then it was always my car that smelled like cleats.
I feel your pain 2BMom, only it is worse. I sold my 2005 truck to re-inherit my 1996 truck that my son has had for 4 years...I just wish the only smell I would have to live with is "cleat" smell. Two week old towels, sweaty shirts, rotting banana peels and other food -- I am sorry Mom (God bless her soul) if I ever caused such an odor.
I have been so busy that I have not had time to think about the “last season” too much. First official game on Friday against a top 20 ranked team. He will get the start on the bump, so I will have to make sure I rearrange the work schedule to get there. I think I am going to have to do this a lot this season…. Already looking at the calendar to make sure I can get out early enough to get to most of the weekday games. Really wish we had lights…...just need one kid out of the program to REALLY make it big for that one to happen…..will be WAY too late anyway.
Still has not selected a college yet, been complicated because he is high academic and the process has been frustrating to say the least. He has an offer from an Ivy, but financially they can’t make it work so he is on to plan B, C, etc. This means he is still in the college dance while the season is getting started. He is trying to find time to squeeze in one more official visit, and coordinate two other schools to see him pitch, all the while keeping up with school work, practice and just being a teenager. In the end it looks like he will be much closer to home in college, so this is a blessing. He is also very very blessed to have academic and baseball options so he will play somewhere, we just don’t know the "where" part just yet.
Just wish there was a dial on life that I could turn to “slow”. I do want to thank the booster club however, the smell of cleats in his car is now gone - we have a clubhouse with lockers….not sure I want to venture in there however, 18-20 of um….YUK.
Still has not selected a college yet, been complicated because he is high academic and the process has been frustrating to say the least. He has an offer from an Ivy, but financially they can’t make it work so he is on to plan B, C, etc. This means he is still in the college dance while the season is getting started. He is trying to find time to squeeze in one more official visit, and coordinate two other schools to see him pitch, all the while keeping up with school work, practice and just being a teenager. In the end it looks like he will be much closer to home in college, so this is a blessing. He is also very very blessed to have academic and baseball options so he will play somewhere, we just don’t know the "where" part just yet.
Just wish there was a dial on life that I could turn to “slow”. I do want to thank the booster club however, the smell of cleats in his car is now gone - we have a clubhouse with lockers….not sure I want to venture in there however, 18-20 of um….YUK.
Reading these posts have brought back a flood of emotions that many of us who's son has played high school and college ball can remember so vividly.
In all reality my son's last spring should have been his last year as a JUCO Soph. Because he had decided to not take care of business in the spring academically and go to class as required his NEW coach at the powerhouse NAIA program he was to attend in the fall called and told him a week before school began that he couldn't get in him. He had even went to the Dean and begged, to no avail.
You want to talk about a ton of bricks being dropped in your lap in an instant. I was shocked, flabbergasted, angry, upset, puzzled to how this could happen like this. After I calmed down I simply looked at him and told him in a calm voice "this is the direct result of not taking care of business and you should have known it was coming". I think he thought he had perhaps "beat the system" and was in for clear sailing. He hadn't been caught or detected! Guess what? HE DID. And HOW!
His GPA was so low that he couldn't get him enrolled. As far as we knew, baseball was over. How could this be? He had just pitched in the local Collegiate summer league and was lights out...selected as an All Star, led the team, etc. Yes, I was dumbfounded to say the least.
What we didn't know was the Coach that he was going to play for was a Coach that believed in giving young men a 2nd chance. He calls son the very next day and told him that if he would take 9hrs in the fall and in the spring, made good grades, stay in shape, stayed out of trouble, etc. that he would give him the same offer (a VERY generous offer) next year and welcome him back. He said at one time years ago a Coach he played for gave him a second chance. He told son that he believed in him and wanted him to prove to himself that he could learn and grow in adversity and failure.
And you know what? He has. The worst thing that could have happened to my son was the BEST thing that could have happened to him. He works out daily, has a part time job, takes his online courses (accredited school) which HE pays for, and is getting ready to play on a local men's team for the spring in which to get ready for the Collegiate summer team. He has actually learned how to budget his money, turn down trips with old friends that are going somewhere that may end up in trouble, make "right" decision, etc.
It has been difficult this year for me because I have really missed that feeling of college ball. Being able to watch him pitch. Driving to those games with boiled peanuts and a nice cigar. Watching and reading about my friends on here whose boys are still playing, and the sting of all that has happened.
A few of you have suggested that it would be a good idea to post on here what happened. I've wanted to for a while but even this far into the year it still has been overwhelming for me....and yes...even embarrassing to a degree. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. The "expectation" of how I thought this journey would go ended abruptly and certainly not how I had wanted. But maybe in this you parents of HS players can use this story to show your son that it is of the UTMOST importance that he work as hard or harder on their studies or this game can and WILL be taken from them in a jiffy. And if they have a Coach who doesn't believe in 2nd chances...chances are the game of baseball will end.
Stay on them. Hold them accountable. Remind them often of staying ahead and working hard. It's not like high school where you can call or visit the teachers to ask about Johnny's class work. Nope. He's on his own. Hopefully he'll have a coach who focuses on their grades instead of giving lip service, etc. But at the end of the day the only one responsible for the grades is: your son.
Good luck this spring and I hope you enjoy the last few days before summer gets here. When summer is here you will swallow another lump in the throat. But I'll spare you for now on that one. LOL
YGD
In all reality my son's last spring should have been his last year as a JUCO Soph. Because he had decided to not take care of business in the spring academically and go to class as required his NEW coach at the powerhouse NAIA program he was to attend in the fall called and told him a week before school began that he couldn't get in him. He had even went to the Dean and begged, to no avail.
You want to talk about a ton of bricks being dropped in your lap in an instant. I was shocked, flabbergasted, angry, upset, puzzled to how this could happen like this. After I calmed down I simply looked at him and told him in a calm voice "this is the direct result of not taking care of business and you should have known it was coming". I think he thought he had perhaps "beat the system" and was in for clear sailing. He hadn't been caught or detected! Guess what? HE DID. And HOW!
His GPA was so low that he couldn't get him enrolled. As far as we knew, baseball was over. How could this be? He had just pitched in the local Collegiate summer league and was lights out...selected as an All Star, led the team, etc. Yes, I was dumbfounded to say the least.
What we didn't know was the Coach that he was going to play for was a Coach that believed in giving young men a 2nd chance. He calls son the very next day and told him that if he would take 9hrs in the fall and in the spring, made good grades, stay in shape, stayed out of trouble, etc. that he would give him the same offer (a VERY generous offer) next year and welcome him back. He said at one time years ago a Coach he played for gave him a second chance. He told son that he believed in him and wanted him to prove to himself that he could learn and grow in adversity and failure.
And you know what? He has. The worst thing that could have happened to my son was the BEST thing that could have happened to him. He works out daily, has a part time job, takes his online courses (accredited school) which HE pays for, and is getting ready to play on a local men's team for the spring in which to get ready for the Collegiate summer team. He has actually learned how to budget his money, turn down trips with old friends that are going somewhere that may end up in trouble, make "right" decision, etc.
It has been difficult this year for me because I have really missed that feeling of college ball. Being able to watch him pitch. Driving to those games with boiled peanuts and a nice cigar. Watching and reading about my friends on here whose boys are still playing, and the sting of all that has happened.
A few of you have suggested that it would be a good idea to post on here what happened. I've wanted to for a while but even this far into the year it still has been overwhelming for me....and yes...even embarrassing to a degree. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. The "expectation" of how I thought this journey would go ended abruptly and certainly not how I had wanted. But maybe in this you parents of HS players can use this story to show your son that it is of the UTMOST importance that he work as hard or harder on their studies or this game can and WILL be taken from them in a jiffy. And if they have a Coach who doesn't believe in 2nd chances...chances are the game of baseball will end.
Stay on them. Hold them accountable. Remind them often of staying ahead and working hard. It's not like high school where you can call or visit the teachers to ask about Johnny's class work. Nope. He's on his own. Hopefully he'll have a coach who focuses on their grades instead of giving lip service, etc. But at the end of the day the only one responsible for the grades is: your son.
Good luck this spring and I hope you enjoy the last few days before summer gets here. When summer is here you will swallow another lump in the throat. But I'll spare you for now on that one. LOL
YGD
Very good YGD!
It starts with Academics. If you don't have the grades, you don't have anything else.
Unfortunately, there are those who still like to call it "Athlete-student" instead of "Student-athlete".
Congrats to your son!
It starts with Academics. If you don't have the grades, you don't have anything else.
Unfortunately, there are those who still like to call it "Athlete-student" instead of "Student-athlete".
Congrats to your son!
Thank you YGD for sharing you and your son's experience.
It is a good thing that we have coaches out there who care about the student, that know that maybe they will drift if they don't have something to hang on to. I am certain your son learned a valuable lesson that will carry him through life.
We talk a lot about academics and I don't think we can ever talk too much about it. After all, that is what will end up allowing our kids to have a family and a successful life, after the last game is played.
I too add congrats to your son. I would bet he is a different kid on the field because of his life experience off the field too.
It is a good thing that we have coaches out there who care about the student, that know that maybe they will drift if they don't have something to hang on to. I am certain your son learned a valuable lesson that will carry him through life.
We talk a lot about academics and I don't think we can ever talk too much about it. After all, that is what will end up allowing our kids to have a family and a successful life, after the last game is played.
I too add congrats to your son. I would bet he is a different kid on the field because of his life experience off the field too.
quote:The worst thing that could have happened to my son was the BEST thing that could have happened to him.
Great story YGD and very emotional I might add. I believe things happen for a reason.
What a blessing your son received to have that particular coach in his corner.
Great news YGD. We never know when the light will go on for some of our children. We try and try to make them realize how their shaky decisions will effect their lives but the light has to be turned on from within.
I'm very happpy to hear that the sun is shining on your son now. Congrats to you and he and I wish him continued good luck on his new, enlightened journey.
I'm very happpy to hear that the sun is shining on your son now. Congrats to you and he and I wish him continued good luck on his new, enlightened journey.
Thank you for sharing your story. What a coach to offer a second chance and wonderful that your son is taking it. Thanks!
quote:Originally posted by YoungGunDad:
But at the end of the day the only one responsible for the grades is: your son.
So true YGD,
No different than baseball (or athletics). You give them the tools and instill a strong work ethic in your kids. But when all is said and done, they have to be willing to accept and apply both.
Again, what a wonderful story!
quote:We never know when the light will go on for some of our children. We try and try to make them realize how their shaky decisions will effect their lives but the light has to be turned on from within.
every child is different, yet the same. if we only knew how to keep that bulb burning.
congrats to you and your son ygd, i hope he stay's driven. funny how much enjoyment we get watching our kids. hopefully they get to realize it themselves someday.
keep working hard.
Full circle last night.
Josh had his first varsity AB on this field against this team. His nickname at the time was Juice Box because he looked so young that the coaches thought he should have been carrying one. The opposing team made fun of him. "You have to be this tall to play this game!" Even I laughed.
Head coach at the time was a former FBI agent. He took a couple of steps toward their dugout and said something in that FBI voice. Don't know what it was, but they became very quiet.
The little guy hit a double over the LF's head. Of course he was playing in, but never again.
2 years later, Josh hit his first HR here, a grand slam.
Last night, in his last trip to this field, he hit a 2 run homer. Here are some pictures.
2b is #5.
Josh had his first varsity AB on this field against this team. His nickname at the time was Juice Box because he looked so young that the coaches thought he should have been carrying one.
The opposing team made fun of him. "You have to be this tall to play this game!" Even I laughed.Head coach at the time was a former FBI agent. He took a couple of steps toward their dugout and said something in that FBI voice. Don't know what it was, but they became very quiet.
The little guy hit a double over the LF's head. Of course he was playing in, but never again.
2 years later, Josh hit his first HR here, a grand slam.
Last night, in his last trip to this field, he hit a 2 run homer. Here are some pictures.
2b is #5.
THIS is priceless!
One of the moms took some shots of our seniors. These won't appear in print because they are smiling. But here they are.
Thx for sharing great stuff>
Just another fun picture to bump this up for the others in their final season.
Hey, what's with these OFs hands' sticking so far out of their gloves, these days? I see them all doing it.
Maybe 2B's trying to give that 11 1/4 a little extension.
Looks like when we did 'hit its' for our football pictures.
Nice pics!
This is the season that I have been dreading for a long time. My only son is a senior and since my daughter has already gone off to college we will be in an empty nest as well. He will be playing in college but it’s a five hour drive for home games and it is not realistic to think I will make it to all the weekend games. Like everyone else here I REALLY dread that last HS game but some thing I haven’t heard from others that I will miss will be the baseball parents and coaches that we have become good friends with. Whether it’s HS ball or summer ball, he has played on so many teams with so many different players that almost any game we go to we talk to friends and catch up on what their player has been doing.
Last year about ten games into the season my son broke his arm diving for a ball in center field. (Both bones in two places) Obviously his season was over but as the season went on sitting in the dugout and not being able to play he got very down. He told me he was done with baseball and did not want to play in college. This was another punch in the gut after going to all the games knowing how much he wanted to be out there. Luckily his arm healed up very well and after a couple months of summer ball he decided he would play in college if he could get the chance.
So even though it is not his last game it is the last HS season and with the experience from last year I am trying to soak it all up and enjoy every minute of this last year.
Last year about ten games into the season my son broke his arm diving for a ball in center field. (Both bones in two places) Obviously his season was over but as the season went on sitting in the dugout and not being able to play he got very down. He told me he was done with baseball and did not want to play in college. This was another punch in the gut after going to all the games knowing how much he wanted to be out there. Luckily his arm healed up very well and after a couple months of summer ball he decided he would play in college if he could get the chance.
So even though it is not his last game it is the last HS season and with the experience from last year I am trying to soak it all up and enjoy every minute of this last year.
How about the socks? Driving home from a game last year I told my son his socks smelled like hell. He told me the team vowed not to wash socks as long as they win. I told him it's three weeks worth of stink in the car and made him put them in a plastic bag.quote:I just wish the only smell I would have to live with is "cleat" smell.