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Finally....son's college debut!

OUBsbMomOUBsbMom500+ posts
Well, it wasn't anything earthshaking but my freshman got in his first college game in his team's first game of the season today out in Surprise, Arizona in the Coca-Cola Classic tournament against Gonzaga University. Ryan went to the mound in the 7th inning with his team down 12-5. I think the coach figured this was a good chance for him to "get his feet wet" without the pressure of having the game on the line since they were pretty well out of it by then thanks to a 7 run inning in the 6th. Well, he struck out the first batter looking. The game report said his first six pitches were strikes. He got two groundball outs and two runners reached on a walk and error on the ss on a groundball. He gave up no hits or runs in the inning. The coach told him he wasn't going to pitch him another inning so he could save him for possible relief duty the next two tournament games on Sat. and Sun. My family and I were watching the action on a live stats feature and it was very nervewracking since there was a delay in the posting of the game action. He called us after the game and was very bubbly and relieved that he made it through his first game test. He said he didn't even feel his arm on the first two pitches and couldn't remember what he threw to strike out the first batter. He admitted to being very nervous but all the practice and repetition he has gone through helped him overcome the nervousness. He was also playing before a crowd of 800 when in high school the crowds numbered maybe 50-100 at most. This was a great first experience for him and hopefully the next time he won't have those same jitters. I have to say that I am very proud of him and I wanted to share this news with my lounge friends. Smile

I'm also anxious to hear about your sons' game experiences this season. Smile



Ann

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FutureBack.MomFutureBack.Mom1,000+ posts
Ann ...

Wow, how exciting for Ryan and his fans.

That first time on the mound is always nerve wracking and exhilerating at the same time.

Can't wait to see him next month ... is it only 3 weeks away already?

Mary Ann

PS Have it on good authority that those first game jitters re-appear each season 14

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Go Highlanders
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OUBsbMomOUBsbMom500+ posts
Mary Ann,

I know he couldn't have been more nervous than his dad and me as we were anxiously awaiting every update! I guess I will always have PMS and his dad will have PDS! Eek I really hope the coach lets him play some in the outfield and bat as well because I don't get nearly so nervous as when he's pitching. We are also looking forward to the UCR series in Norman. We will be going up this coming weekend for the first home series. Can't wait to actually SEE the team in action! I'll be in touch with you before then. Good luck to AJ! Smile


Ann
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OUBsbMomOUBsbMom500+ posts
I'll definitely find out about the heaters! Smile We had a surprise here yesterday and last night....had 1-2 inches of snow! It almost NEVER snows here where I live..my 18 year-old has hardly ever seen any snow in his life...of course, he will certainly see some in Oklahoma while he is living there. I know the kids here are very excited as most of them have never seen snow...they think when it sleets that it's snowing because that is usually all we get...and usually not much of that. Must be a Friday the 13th phenomenon! Eek

I'll get back to you about the heaters. Smile


Ann
InfieldMomInfieldMom10+ posts
Congratulations, Ann, on a great outing for your son. I have been in the position of watching my boys pitch and the stress is unbelievable. I was so glad to hear that my youngest son is going to be a catcher. No more stress for me. We are OU and OSU fans so we wish your son all the best at OU.
My husband has mentioned going up to OU for a game sometime this season. What is Ryan's number? We will be looking for him.

"Every member of our baseball team at West Point became a general; this proves the value of team sports." --General Omar Bradley
luvbbluvbb1,000+ posts
Infieldmom...

"No more stress for me?????".......Don't mean to belittle "PMS" (pitcher mom syndrome!), but you just wait until the score is tied, the winning run is on third base, and your son is the backstop. As a catcher's mom I can tell you just pray there won't be a pitch in the dirt, passed ball, wild pitch, etc! pull_hair The stress has only just begun! Big Grin You will also learn who REALLY controls the game! Wink Okay mom's of pitchers, don't jump down my throat....you will notice I put the "wink" in there! lol.
O Orlando1,000+ posts
luv, I know the wink was only there to soothe pitcher's mom's potential ruffled feathers. Who would know better than a catcher's Mom how much of their job is soothing pitchers' ruffled feathers! Wink

And don't forget when that winning run on third is the size of a Mack truck. Or first and third with a critical run on third. Or when the pitcher is havng control or umpire issues and your guy gets to play Dr. Phil for both of them. Or when it's 100 degrees out. Or when you watch him take a foul tip off the body. Or when.......

---------------------------------
From 'Nice Guys Finish Last' by Leo Durocher:

Baseball lives at the center of a never-flagging whirl of irreconcilable opinions.
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B baseballmom
Ous Congrats to Ryan!!!
And all you catcher mom's... son spends extra time working with his catchers just so they develop that "special bond". He really respects his closest teammate! (he's been known to say "he made me look good", when he's struggled with some phantom!).
When he was young, he caught, so he really appreciates the position.
InfieldMomInfieldMom10+ posts
I surely didn't mean to ruffle any feathers. As the mom of one son that has already finished his playing days(he played every position except center, shortstop, and second) I have felt the stress of him pitching on the mound. My mom couldn't even sit in the bleachers. She would hide behind the stands until the inning was over. Watching either of my boys on the mound was tough.
However, I have been in the exact position mentioned by luvbb. In a summer tournament my youngest son is behind the plate, the score is tied and the winning run is on third. My oldest son's high school coach(and future coach of my youngest son)says "I hope it doesn't get by him". JINX! The ball skids between my son's legs and the winning run scores. Yes I have been there. My youngest son is 14 and has been catching since he was 8. He loves to catch. He loves to handle the ball( he is also a quarterback and ballhandler on his basketball team).
Actually for a mom, I think the game of baseball is full of stress. We just want our kids to do well.

"Every member of our baseball team at West Point became a general; this proves the value of team sports." --General Omar Bradley
luvbbluvbb1,000+ posts
Infieldmom....you didn't ruffle any feathers. Just couldn't help getting in a little "reminder" of stress from a backstop's mom perspective. Everything intended in good nature....hence the "wink". biglaugh By the way....the SAME thing happened to my son (winning run scoring on a ball between the catcher's legs).....only it was in his high school varsity debut when he was 15! Funny, it doesn't seem nearly as traumatic NOW as it did then Smile
InfieldMomInfieldMom10+ posts
luvbb, you and I may be talking alot in the coming years. Our high school coach has already told youngest son to get ready to catch varsity next year. He will be a 15 year old freshman catching 80+ mph fastballs next spring. I may need you to calm my nerves and offer words of wisdom since you have been there. His coach told him to not worry about the bat, but blocking balls. That will definitely keep some stress off of him and me.
So I plan on enjoying this last season of jr. high baseball. Ya'll remind me of that if the season gets difficult. chat

"Every member of our baseball team at West Point became a general; this proves the value of team sports." --General Omar Bradley
P 03parent500+ posts
Infieldmom

Sounds like your son is ready to do the job or the coach wouldn't be asking him to.

Let me tell you about stress. My son was a 15 yr old sophmore and he had his first HS pitching start in Regional tournament FINALS. We lost 3-1, he made one mistake.... he hit his best friend in the knee...after that he walked bases loaded, then best hitter in the region hit a triple.....He did settle down and complete the game but the damage was done.

I totally understand stress after that day!!!

I'm so glad his college coach likes him as a catcher only Wink but those junk ball pitchers make this mom pull_hair stressed.

Go luck to your son and keep us informed.

Lori
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