First Game of College

HB-
I would say that typically zero freshmen play in their first college game, and many (my own included) don't play at all their first year in a good D1 program. It is the exceptional frosh that makes an impact on a successful D1 team.
You are correct in thinking it's a big deal that your son is slotted as the closer. Be proud and enjoy it. But closers earn their job when the game's on the line, and he may sit out many more innings just waiting for the situation to arise. What he does with that opportunity is what makes the waiting so exciting. Let us know what happens.

It is also the 1st time I have ever heard a coach give over 2 weeks notice that a pitcher will be pitching. Most are lucky to get 1 day notice.

Spizzlepop: Thanks for your words of wisdom. I will try to enjoy and be thankful for ANY TIME he gets in the game this year. I guess, since we are accustomed to seeing him not only in one position, but two, CLOSING seems - less involved. Ya know?

ps - Love your Hurdle quote. Ain't it the truth!

BobbleheadDoll: Uncertain why that is, but... it is! Wow. And yet another thing to be thankful for? They had a scrimmage last week, and he came in - threw 30 pitches. Hitting 92, Struck out 4.

hitbombs - You asked a question that quickly reminded me of my son's experience and I think it will help to shed some light on what you may experience.

In our son's very first game, we were as happy as could be as parents. We knew he'd be in the bullpen and so had some time to soak it in. Dream school, got there early to watch infield and watch him drag and rake , pre-game intros where I took tons of pictures...generally we were on Cloud-9.

Then the game began. Our starter got in a heap of trouble right away walking the bases loaded with no outs. I glance at the dugout and the head coach walks up to my son and says something to him.

Full SPRINT! Down to the bullpen along with a catcher. Coach takes a slow stroll to the mound. By now, son is heating up fast. Coach looks down to the bullpen for a signal. Nothing.

My heart is pounding 10 feet outside my chest. I cannot believe it! How could this happen so FAST! And why in the world would he give a freshman that situation?!?!?!?!

But the starter was going to pitch to the next batter. 1-0, then 2-0. I'm about to pass out!

Strike-1! I let out a huge shout, "YEAH! Thats a baby, you can do it!" to the starting pitcher.

Strike-2! "WOO! HOO!"

Ground-ball double-play! SHEAR ECSTASY on my part!

Another out and the starter was out of it. My son sat down in the bullpen. And after about 4 innings he returned to the dugout.

I NEVER rooted so hard for it NOT to happen! Not then anyways.

Our son pitched the next day and did great. I learned after the game that he was totally ready and happy to go in that 1st inning and disappointed when it didn't happen. And I was ready for it all, I thought, but the initial shock on Day-1, 1st inning with no outs was a bit tough on me.

Have fun with this...I am sure your son will be just fine...a lot "finer" than you will be.

Great story, JBB!

quote:

Originally posted by Rob Kremer:
Great story, JBB!

I agree and I CAN relate.

Hitbombs,
Your son may be preparing for a role, but it doesn't mean that is where he will end up. Most depends on what's going on at the time. As a reliever/closer/starter my son NEVER knew what the heck was going on until his junior year. Also, he found each year that facing your teammates in practice is a whole lot different than another team in a REAL game.

Enjoy!

Yes some pitchers need the drama. My son pitches better when he is facing a tough team.
Your son with 92 mph will get lots of opportunity to fail compared to guys with a lot less velocity.
Most good pitchers love going in in tight situations.

Many here know the story but I'll re-tell it anyways because it seems to fit here...

Friday - March 17th, 2006 (and every St. Patty's Day thereafter for that matter) will always be special in our family. While I was out celebrating St. Patty's Day with friends and clients, my son unexpectedly was getting his first at bat of his college career with two outs in the bottom of the ninth of a 4-4 game at home. I later asked him if he thought he might get pinch hit for in that situation, and he honestly said the thought had crossed his mind - but he would've hated it

He got the game winning base hit that night and I am absolutely convinced it changed his college career. When I got home that evening, the first thing I did was check the hsbbweb and someone posted in the Ohio forum about what had happened before I even knew it. Talk about being pleasently surprised

College baseball has been the best of times but make no mistake, adversity is something that will find you and players need to learn how to overcome it.

quote:

I NEVER rooted so hard for it NOT to happen!

Now THAT I can relate to JBB!

Freshman year, my son started the season in RIGHT FIELD!!!! Never played that position before winter practices (we're up north...all practices indoors...didn't see a live fly ball until that first game outdoors!). By the way..he's a CATCHER! I remember listening to the web broadcast, NEVER thinking I'd hear his name in the starting lineup, much less in right field. Every time I would "hear" the crack of the bat I would pray "please don't let that ball be going to right field!"

By the way....he only lasted 3 games in right field! I think the coach thought the same thing I did everytime HE heard the crack of the bat too!

I came to realize that it is the exceptional freshman who has the maturity, mental fortitude and skill to succeed in the starting line up. It DOES happen sometimes tho! Here's hoping your son is one of those freshmen .

My son did not see the field for the first 10-games. He got a start in the 11 game of the year went 2-3 which gave him a start in the second half of a double header. He hit his first collegiate homerun in the game. This started a 9-game hitting streak and the beginning of his collegiate career.

There is a very important message here. Parents that are worth their salt have been preparing their kids to be physically and mentally prepared to do a job (in this case baseball). Once they leave home, they are on their own, our job is over. While it doesn't always happen as we would have scripted, it is a story of growth, hard work, success and failure which is what we all generally yearn for.

Hitbombs - Relax, you have done your job, he will do fine and you will be proud!

This is an interesting topic. My son closed the 3rd game of the opening weekend series against the then #1 ranked Florida State in Florida. He had never been to Florida and had never seen a crowd that size ever. He had 2 Ks and a gorund out. To me that was exciting.
I wonder what other experiences were ?

These are great stories. Any freshman that starts in D1 is fortunate and most likely considered to be an impact player down the road. Coaches really like experience so even if you are the better athlete chances are you willl have to earn your stripes in a few situations before you get to be a regular in the lineup.

We made a last minute decision to attend my sons first weekend series at VMI two years ago. It was cold and we had an evening flight back out of Richmond on Sunday that it appeared we might miss if the Sunday game went too long. Well of course we were just about to leave figuring this wouldn't be the weekend we would get to see the first at bat when sure enough he is told to start loosening up. Two outs in the bottom of the ninth trailing 8-7 man on first he is called on to pinch hit. After fouling off a couple pitches he flew out to right field to end the game. Although I wish this story had a better ending I sure am glad I was there to see his first college at bat, oh yeah and we made the flight with almost 10 minutes to spare.

My son calls the night before to tell us he is on the mound for the first app. and start of his college career and I'm up all night.His mom and I are there next day and the first batter flies out , the next singles and the next hits a ball 450 ft dead center for the two run dinger.The head coach strolls out and my wife mutters "oh no he's going to take his uniform!".Anyway the kid settles down (4.0ip,5h,2er,3k)and the team wins 3-2 but that 1st inning **** near took me out.

Great story. We have all seen those innings.

As a mom who has never missed a game ANYWHERE.....I decided to make the 2 hour trip for freshman sons first college game of the season. He was not scheduled to pitch at all this weekend, but thought I should make the first game....did I say it was 39 degrees. Saturday is a double header.....which after freezing the night before I decided not to go to(you know he's not pitching and all).

Get a message that night 93 mph....2k's....no balls...no baserunners (he got to close and pitch 1 inning). I'm kicking myself for not being there.....I know there will be lots other...but there's only 1 first.

Southern Belle,

I can relate. I was lucky that my son played at a JUCO here where we live last year, so that first game that I thought I wouldn't get to attend did not happen his Freshman year.

Summer league took him up to Washington state and I made it up there for a sweet five day visit, and felt it would prepare me for the inevitable.

This year, he moved down the road to a D1, but still in our state. About 5 hours away, I will go to as many games as I can, but already know that since they're opening the season in Georgia, I won't be at that one.

Been scouring the internet for broadcasts...

ktcosmos

Southern Belle,

We can relate - our freshman son's first college game is today and we will not be there - it's absolutely killing us! He will be in the bullpen(definitely where we think he should be and also thankful for that) so who knows when or if he will pitch this weekend. We do have trips planned this spring but it so different not being there for every single game.

Great job for your son in his first outing! Maybe it saved you some grey hairs not sweating out that first inning - amazing he could pitch so well without you there mentally helping him along.

I love reading the stories on everyone's first outings.

This thread has been excellent. For parents who are posting about their son's first games - last weekend, this weekend, or next etc., please post a link into the game or website. I can assure you at least one cold northerner will tune in

I'm not getting all puffed up here, but since my son is playing already and your's probably isn't yet, here's some news to share. It was just an alumni game, but they were Spizzle's first collegiate strikes thrown in anger. He had a lot of fun.

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...06&template=UHsports