njbb-very well said
What else is there to say except best wishes and prayers for your son and his future endeavors. 
Heybatter ...
Have been silent as this thread has grown ... and have enjoyed the wonderful posts about your son. Seems as tho God has given him some wonderfully mature insight for a young man and that he knows he has been blessed in many ways, not the least of which has been his baseball life.
Hope this doesn't mean you will be silent here, tho, as I too have enjoyed your posts and feel that you have a lot to contribute.
Best wishes for a wonderfully blessed future for your son and your family.
Have been silent as this thread has grown ... and have enjoyed the wonderful posts about your son. Seems as tho God has given him some wonderfully mature insight for a young man and that he knows he has been blessed in many ways, not the least of which has been his baseball life.
Hope this doesn't mean you will be silent here, tho, as I too have enjoyed your posts and feel that you have a lot to contribute.
Best wishes for a wonderfully blessed future for your son and your family.
Heybatter,
You have an incredible son!! I think this thread has to immediately go GOLDEN !
Catchersdad
You have an incredible son!! I think this thread has to immediately go GOLDEN !
Catchersdad
TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
------Robert Frost
The Road Not Taken
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
------Robert Frost
The Road Not Taken
Frost....my favorite poem.....thanks PAmom....think from all the postings...we are all acknowledging that our sons will stop playing some day.....we will all get that call....Can only hope we go about it with as much understanding, love and appreciation for each other....and what is really important in this life... as HeyBatter and his son have shown.....
HeyBatter, was watching one of my all time favorites, Field of Dreams, when I read your posts.
Dr. "Moonlight" Graham, talking about his short career, put things in a very nice perspective. In response to a comment that "it was a shame" how his baseball career was limited, "Doc" ,talks about "what would have been a shame" was if his being a doctor of medicine was limited to 5 minutes.
Sounds like your son has had a wonderful and rewarding baseball experience. Sounds also like he may well have a future as enriching and fulfilling as Dr. Graham and realizes what a "shame" it might be if he does not experience that life to its fullest. Think he deserves a huge round of
and wish you and he all the very, very best.
Dr. "Moonlight" Graham, talking about his short career, put things in a very nice perspective. In response to a comment that "it was a shame" how his baseball career was limited, "Doc" ,talks about "what would have been a shame" was if his being a doctor of medicine was limited to 5 minutes.
Sounds like your son has had a wonderful and rewarding baseball experience. Sounds also like he may well have a future as enriching and fulfilling as Dr. Graham and realizes what a "shame" it might be if he does not experience that life to its fullest. Think he deserves a huge round of
and wish you and he all the very, very best.
HeyBatter:
My heart goes out to you, and my hat is off to you. We've tried hard in my family to help our children understand the importance of not moving away from something, but rather moving forward to something. It may simply be the other side of the same coin, but in a nutshell... Set your goals, set your strategy, proceed, revisit, alter as necessary, procede. But always forward. ...always positive.
It sounds like your son has a great handle on that. It sounds like you've taught him well. All the best to him, and to you, for future memories together.
My heart goes out to you, and my hat is off to you. We've tried hard in my family to help our children understand the importance of not moving away from something, but rather moving forward to something. It may simply be the other side of the same coin, but in a nutshell... Set your goals, set your strategy, proceed, revisit, alter as necessary, procede. But always forward. ...always positive.
It sounds like your son has a great handle on that. It sounds like you've taught him well. All the best to him, and to you, for future memories together.
FloridaHokie:
Absolutely agree! Nice post.
quote:...always forward. ...always positive.
Absolutely agree! Nice post.
Theres nothing that i can say hear that hasnt already been said excpet for, not only is this thread been a wake up call for parents to take nothing for granted because someday their child will "hang 'em up" but I would also like to add that it is a wake up call for each and every ballplayer out there. Someday it will end and for me being a junior in highschool it seems like my baseball career will go on till im 90 years old because, heck I'm a teenager I'm invincible and i will always play baseball" This thread just planted a seed in my head that, for every game I play is one game closer to my last.....HeyBatter I'm sorry to hear about your son, but i would also like to thank you for personally teaching me the importance of playing hard every game. So thank you and good luck with whatever your family and son decides to do.
BD2579:
You've got a good head on your shoulders...I'm not going to worry about you...keep up the good posts kid.
You've got a good head on your shoulders...I'm not going to worry about you...keep up the good posts kid.
Hey Batter,
When I made that same call to my folks, they were very disappointed. My own son took his last swing in HS last year - I knew it, and I was a bit sad, but also thoughtful about his liberation from the sports yoke.
Your son has decided to be LIBERATED. and that is a good thing. Celebrate for him, if you can.
My mother recently had a serious heart disease issue. After several decades, she finally said "Thanks for the memories, not baseball, just you, your wife and my grandchildren." She finally got it. Perhaps that is why I have gotten it, ahead of time, with my own son.
When I made that same call to my folks, they were very disappointed. My own son took his last swing in HS last year - I knew it, and I was a bit sad, but also thoughtful about his liberation from the sports yoke.
Your son has decided to be LIBERATED. and that is a good thing. Celebrate for him, if you can.
My mother recently had a serious heart disease issue. After several decades, she finally said "Thanks for the memories, not baseball, just you, your wife and my grandchildren." She finally got it. Perhaps that is why I have gotten it, ahead of time, with my own son.
we are going through this same thing with our son who is a Senior in highschool. he went to a Shocase camp in Nov. and then decided that he did not not want to play after highschool. He does still want to play summer ball though. but we did tell him it makes no sense to play for the same team as last year if he has no desire to go farther. the cost and travel will not be worth. All of the other boys are playing college ball. He did agree. We hope that he has a GREAT highschool and change his mind but we doubt it.
We are looking forward to see what he fills his time with and what direction he decides to go. It is scary and depressing that this time is over for him. But we have to realize that he needs to make the decision that is right for him. His summer coach understood be cause he did the same thing as your son. He was in his sophmore year I believe also and decided he just didn't want it anymore. He loves the game still but would rather coach.
It has been a touchy situation for us a littel though. be cause our son did tell someone else that he thought we were pressuring him to do college ball. whaich I don't think we ever were. But we did want to know if he still wanted to play his senior year this year. He did say he does. I told him to be sure he is doing it because HE WANTS TO. He assured me he is. The last thing we ever want is for our boys to feel is pressure to do anything.
I commend you for the way that you are handling this situation and I know what you are going through and how hard it can be. And I loved your comment."I can't thank him enough for all the good times and all the memories". I will share that with my son also. So thank you for posting this when I didn't have the courage.
We are looking forward to see what he fills his time with and what direction he decides to go. It is scary and depressing that this time is over for him. But we have to realize that he needs to make the decision that is right for him. His summer coach understood be cause he did the same thing as your son. He was in his sophmore year I believe also and decided he just didn't want it anymore. He loves the game still but would rather coach.
It has been a touchy situation for us a littel though. be cause our son did tell someone else that he thought we were pressuring him to do college ball. whaich I don't think we ever were. But we did want to know if he still wanted to play his senior year this year. He did say he does. I told him to be sure he is doing it because HE WANTS TO. He assured me he is. The last thing we ever want is for our boys to feel is pressure to do anything.
I commend you for the way that you are handling this situation and I know what you are going through and how hard it can be. And I loved your comment."I can't thank him enough for all the good times and all the memories". I will share that with my son also. So thank you for posting this when I didn't have the courage.
I think it can often be a difficult thing to truly see something through someone else's eyes. We don't have the same experiences, dreams, or expectations.
My now college son, was sharing some very deep feelings with me last summer when his HS career ended. He was tearful over several things including telling me how he felt so bad for the guys that weren't going on to play college ball and that he would "do anything to keep being a part of this game". I understood and respected his feelings and concern about his teammates. However, I pointed out to him that all of his teammates didn't have that same desire to play college ball. Some of them were completely satisfied with going on to college and pursuing other dreams in their lives. It can be difficult for us to understand when we enjoy something so much and want it to continue to be a part of "our" lives how someone else feels differently.
My now college son, was sharing some very deep feelings with me last summer when his HS career ended. He was tearful over several things including telling me how he felt so bad for the guys that weren't going on to play college ball and that he would "do anything to keep being a part of this game". I understood and respected his feelings and concern about his teammates. However, I pointed out to him that all of his teammates didn't have that same desire to play college ball. Some of them were completely satisfied with going on to college and pursuing other dreams in their lives. It can be difficult for us to understand when we enjoy something so much and want it to continue to be a part of "our" lives how someone else feels differently.
Hey Batter,
Your post about you son had an impact on myself as well. Over the past 2 years I have been working hard to become a Major League Baseball player and becauce of that I have also missed out on a few things. Now I don't regret doing that though because I REALLY want to become a big league ballplayer. But, your post made me realize something, I need to start enjoying every baseball game I play even more than I already do. I am only 15 and I don't want it to become a job just yet.(it isn't, BTW) You never know when it might end due to, injury, better opportunities, etc. Thank you for sharing that with us, it brought a tear to my eye also and it made me rethink the way I am treating my games. That is exactly what it is, A GAME. Thank you and I wish the best of luck for you and your son.
-Kevin
Your post about you son had an impact on myself as well. Over the past 2 years I have been working hard to become a Major League Baseball player and becauce of that I have also missed out on a few things. Now I don't regret doing that though because I REALLY want to become a big league ballplayer. But, your post made me realize something, I need to start enjoying every baseball game I play even more than I already do. I am only 15 and I don't want it to become a job just yet.(it isn't, BTW) You never know when it might end due to, injury, better opportunities, etc. Thank you for sharing that with us, it brought a tear to my eye also and it made me rethink the way I am treating my games. That is exactly what it is, A GAME. Thank you and I wish the best of luck for you and your son.
-Kevin
Pamom: - My favorite poem - thank you for posting it.
Whichever path your son takes, if he is happy and healthy, it just gets better and better. Treasure each day that you share your lives.
Whichever path your son takes, if he is happy and healthy, it just gets better and better. Treasure each day that you share your lives.
Sue54:
Thanks for finding the courage and posting your story...there are some good lessons in your story for all of us.
Thanks for finding the courage and posting your story...there are some good lessons in your story for all of us.
I have never thought about the call until this post....
Don't know why, maybe I love this roller coaster of emotions in the ever shrinking baseball world.
HB: Thanks for the post, but it seems that you have nothing to fear...Your t-baller has become a man. That's what all of us want in the end.
Bullwinkle
Don't know why, maybe I love this roller coaster of emotions in the ever shrinking baseball world.
HB: Thanks for the post, but it seems that you have nothing to fear...Your t-baller has become a man. That's what all of us want in the end.
Bullwinkle
HeyBatter---
My real post on your touching thread is in AParent's thread, Where have all the young men gone, in the General Forum. Our situations are (WERE, for me) so similar I could only muster my mantra for the past three years, The Road Not Taken. Your post took my breath away.
YOU already have a have a handle on the situation. You will be FINE, as your son is already. Life goes on without baseball...it simply veers down another path...
Since my "real" post belongs here, I will reproduce it below:
--------------------------------
Three years ago nearly to the DAY, my son returned to campus after Christmas break his sophomore year, walked into his coach's office, and after agonizing over his decision for MONTHS, exited a baseball program that had brought him more grief than fun---grief that none of us saw coming (YES, TR, we did our homework!). He thought about transferring, but since his choice of schools was based on academics FIRST, he decided to stay---without baseball for the first time in his (and Mom's and Dad's) life.
I don't care to rehash the circumstances again (still an open wound for me three years out), but many of you real old timers on this incredible website literally saved me from losing my mind at the time. I have been FOREVER grateful to my friends here for reaching out in my time of quiet (OK---not so quiet!) desperation. I DID have to step away for awhile to catch my bearings again, but I just couldn't leave for good, despite the occasional twinges of nostalgic pain. I haven't been able to post in HeyBatter's thread (except for the Robert Frost poem, The Road Not Taken), "Got the CALL"---about his son's decision to hang up the cleats, because I have a lot of trouble reliving that period of time in our lives---but I SO know what he is going through. And it is absolutely TRUE that we parents take "the end" so much harder than our sons do.
Mike (my son) didn't skip a beat and moved on to other interests and talents. He played baseball in a local semi-pro league for a couple of years when home those summers for his baseball fix. On campus he turned to passion #2, which is theater and the creative arts. He graduated from John Carroll University in suburban Cleveland last May with a BA in Communications (theater, writing, broadcasting emphasis) and a minor in English---and not the MVP baseball trophy he'd maybe envisioned at the start, but the university's equivalent of "Best Actor" award after starring in many campus productions. He remained in Cleveland after graduation, working part-time while half-heartedly hunting for a "real" job (writing, advertising, marketing)---but really was a practicing starving-artist-in-training.
Just last weekend, Mike moved back home to PA for the short term (with our "permission" and full support) after making the gutsy career decision to "go for it while the window of opportunity is open"---the one he didn't allow himself to make with baseball. Eventually, he will enroll in an acting school or studio in either Chicago or New York (he is researching both), and give it a shot. No rose-colored glasses...no grand illusions of fame...just pursuing a challenge and a dream and a love...with NO REGRETS.
Baseball lives forever in our heart space, but I am here to tell you that there IS life after baseball, and that "way (DOES) lead on to way," and that sometimes "the road less traveled" is the one that can "make all the difference."
As Ever,
PAmom
My real post on your touching thread is in AParent's thread, Where have all the young men gone, in the General Forum. Our situations are (WERE, for me) so similar I could only muster my mantra for the past three years, The Road Not Taken. Your post took my breath away.
YOU already have a have a handle on the situation. You will be FINE, as your son is already. Life goes on without baseball...it simply veers down another path...
Since my "real" post belongs here, I will reproduce it below:
--------------------------------
Three years ago nearly to the DAY, my son returned to campus after Christmas break his sophomore year, walked into his coach's office, and after agonizing over his decision for MONTHS, exited a baseball program that had brought him more grief than fun---grief that none of us saw coming (YES, TR, we did our homework!). He thought about transferring, but since his choice of schools was based on academics FIRST, he decided to stay---without baseball for the first time in his (and Mom's and Dad's) life.
I don't care to rehash the circumstances again (still an open wound for me three years out), but many of you real old timers on this incredible website literally saved me from losing my mind at the time. I have been FOREVER grateful to my friends here for reaching out in my time of quiet (OK---not so quiet!) desperation. I DID have to step away for awhile to catch my bearings again, but I just couldn't leave for good, despite the occasional twinges of nostalgic pain. I haven't been able to post in HeyBatter's thread (except for the Robert Frost poem, The Road Not Taken), "Got the CALL"---about his son's decision to hang up the cleats, because I have a lot of trouble reliving that period of time in our lives---but I SO know what he is going through. And it is absolutely TRUE that we parents take "the end" so much harder than our sons do.
Mike (my son) didn't skip a beat and moved on to other interests and talents. He played baseball in a local semi-pro league for a couple of years when home those summers for his baseball fix. On campus he turned to passion #2, which is theater and the creative arts. He graduated from John Carroll University in suburban Cleveland last May with a BA in Communications (theater, writing, broadcasting emphasis) and a minor in English---and not the MVP baseball trophy he'd maybe envisioned at the start, but the university's equivalent of "Best Actor" award after starring in many campus productions. He remained in Cleveland after graduation, working part-time while half-heartedly hunting for a "real" job (writing, advertising, marketing)---but really was a practicing starving-artist-in-training.
Just last weekend, Mike moved back home to PA for the short term (with our "permission" and full support) after making the gutsy career decision to "go for it while the window of opportunity is open"---the one he didn't allow himself to make with baseball. Eventually, he will enroll in an acting school or studio in either Chicago or New York (he is researching both), and give it a shot. No rose-colored glasses...no grand illusions of fame...just pursuing a challenge and a dream and a love...with NO REGRETS.
Baseball lives forever in our heart space, but I am here to tell you that there IS life after baseball, and that "way (DOES) lead on to way," and that sometimes "the road less traveled" is the one that can "make all the difference."
As Ever,
PAmom
This is a great thread, one that ALL baseball parents should read. Heybatter, your son is the real "prospect"...no guessing, he's got what it takes to succeed...on his terms.
We, too, received the call last week. It was hard at first, but priorities change, life interests change, individuals change. Hurricane Katrina hastened things, though, with a lost freshman fall semester in New Orleans and all that would have entailed in terms of baseball. But, my wife and I really are not sorry, our son made up his mind, made his choice, and was upfront with Doc Beeman, with no hard feelings either way. I'm proud he had the courage to do what he wants to do, and look forward to some "normal" summers with him at home.
What a long, strange trip it's been...
What a long, strange trip it's been...
Taratko,
Good luck to your son in all his endeavors.
As my mother alway's said "everything happens for the best". Normal summers are a good thing.
Good luck to your son in all his endeavors.
As my mother alway's said "everything happens for the best". Normal summers are a good thing.
TaRatko,
I am sure that whatever Zak decides to do he will be successful. Our family wishes all of you the best. The best part of the journey is the journey and the memories it creates. Those are there forever.
JMEpop
I am sure that whatever Zak decides to do he will be successful. Our family wishes all of you the best. The best part of the journey is the journey and the memories it creates. Those are there forever.
JMEpop
Tar, best of luck to Zak. You're right about the courage. It takes plenty to stop doing something you love and have done for a long time to pursue a different goal.
Watching them play is fun but nothing beats the quality 1 on 1 time with the family only.
Watching them play is fun but nothing beats the quality 1 on 1 time with the family only.
Wow. Nothing like a REAL reality check to understand what life really is...and how fragile it is.
It's wonderful that he was able to make the decision on his own terms..My son, a college freshman, hurt his ankle in September and we thought for a while that his career was over. Fortunately it is not, but it did put things in perspective.
My favorite "tag line" is "Play each game is if it were your last. One day it will be." . . . . Because you just never know.
Our best to your son and to your family...As Bob Seger sings..."turn the page."
It's wonderful that he was able to make the decision on his own terms..My son, a college freshman, hurt his ankle in September and we thought for a while that his career was over. Fortunately it is not, but it did put things in perspective.
My favorite "tag line" is "Play each game is if it were your last. One day it will be." . . . . Because you just never know.
Our best to your son and to your family...As Bob Seger sings..."turn the page."
TARatko,
Best of luck to your son in his future endeavors!
Best of luck to your son in his future endeavors!
Taratko - Wishing your son all the best in his future life choices! Enjoy those new summer options!
Taratko....best wishes to your son, it must have been a very difficult decision for him......your support is wonderful.....
Tom
We did move decided we weren't close enough to the ocean and the worst part of the hurricanes, now we live on the intercoastal. A lot worse when the wind blows but way better the rest of the time. So far so good for Joe, hoping for a good season.
Keep posting, old timers make this place feel like home.
We did move decided we weren't close enough to the ocean and the worst part of the hurricanes, now we live on the intercoastal. A lot worse when the wind blows but way better the rest of the time. So far so good for Joe, hoping for a good season.
Keep posting, old timers make this place feel like home.
TARatko:
Thanks for sharing your story...that's what this thread is for.
Enjoy your time together pursuing what is now important. It is reassuring to know that your son's decision was primarily his own with a little urging from Mother Nature ...she puts us in our place.
Thanks for sharing your story...that's what this thread is for.
Enjoy your time together pursuing what is now important. It is reassuring to know that your son's decision was primarily his own with a little urging from Mother Nature ...she puts us in our place.
Indeed...and keep on truckin'quote:What a long, strange trip it's been...
TARatko, as I've mentioned to you before, your son's rise to recruitability was a remarkable achievement, and serves as an inspiration to others on that same path.
Enjoy your summers!!!
Enjoy your summers!!!
TAratko,
Best of luck to your son. He is a great kid with a great Dad. I know how much you put into helping him. I hope he realizes how much his dad loves him. Also hope that baseball has taught him some valuable things that will help him later.
I'll say it again (umpteenth time)... There are many more important things than baseball! Now if I could just practice what I preach!
Best of luck to your son. He is a great kid with a great Dad. I know how much you put into helping him. I hope he realizes how much his dad loves him. Also hope that baseball has taught him some valuable things that will help him later.
I'll say it again (umpteenth time)... There are many more important things than baseball! Now if I could just practice what I preach!
TAR.....
I'm much surprised, and sad, to hear about Zak!!!! I'm sure there is some 'hurting' going on, but those are some of the choices we have to make. I almost dread the day that it comes our way. I love to watch Andy play!!!!
Andy and me want to wish Zak the very, very best in what every he chooses to do. I think about you guys quite often.
We need to get together again, soon, when you have time.
Your friend, Boomer
I'm much surprised, and sad, to hear about Zak!!!! I'm sure there is some 'hurting' going on, but those are some of the choices we have to make. I almost dread the day that it comes our way. I love to watch Andy play!!!!
Andy and me want to wish Zak the very, very best in what every he chooses to do. I think about you guys quite often.
We need to get together again, soon, when you have time.
Your friend, Boomer
Thank you so much! Not once did you ever bore me. I held a lot of respect for your desire to help your son and other kids. I'm glad he will have some good memories of those days. Maybe he might get the itch again to put the cleats on. There's always summer ball if he desires to stay active.
I would accept any info you would ever care to pass our way. You may have worked hard giving Zak every opportunity, but at the same time I remember all the other kids you would promote. Whether Zak ever plays again or not, I hope you stay involved. Baseball needs more people like you.
Give me a call whenever you feel like it. Tell Zak the same, we won't forget him!
I would accept any info you would ever care to pass our way. You may have worked hard giving Zak every opportunity, but at the same time I remember all the other kids you would promote. Whether Zak ever plays again or not, I hope you stay involved. Baseball needs more people like you.
Give me a call whenever you feel like it. Tell Zak the same, we won't forget him!
TARatko,
Thank you for the help and advice you gave to this dad who didn't know which end was up when it came to showcases, summer travel ball and where the good restaurants in Ft. Myers are. My best wishes to Zak and to your entire family. Thank you for sharing your story.
Regards, Bruce.
Thank you for the help and advice you gave to this dad who didn't know which end was up when it came to showcases, summer travel ball and where the good restaurants in Ft. Myers are. My best wishes to Zak and to your entire family. Thank you for sharing your story.
Regards, Bruce.
I am 15 years old and a sophomore in high school. Throughout all the stress and struggles that go with high school life (baseball, schoolwork, girls, etc.)... I have never felt the need to do something for my parents or to impress somebody. My parents have told me since the day I could pick up a baseball and sound out the alphabet that no matter what I did they would always love me more than anything in the world.
Personally, I appreciate these stories very much because it shows the true meaning of parental guidance and love. It takes an incredible amount of calm and respect on both the parent's part (and loads of maturity on the kid's part to realize such things) to be able to grasp this as a positive and move on. Thank you for sharing your stories, it helps make a more optimistic and peaceful outlook on life
~Josh
Personally, I appreciate these stories very much because it shows the true meaning of parental guidance and love. It takes an incredible amount of calm and respect on both the parent's part (and loads of maturity on the kid's part to realize such things) to be able to grasp this as a positive and move on. Thank you for sharing your stories, it helps make a more optimistic and peaceful outlook on life
~Josh
JH:
You are a winner JH. You have a great attitude and a wonderful outlook...pat your folks on the back for me...they've done an excellent job so far in bringing you up.
You are a winner JH. You have a great attitude and a wonderful outlook...pat your folks on the back for me...they've done an excellent job so far in bringing you up.
gotwood:
thanks. now if you could just tell them that stuff about me maybe i can stay out a little later on weekends. lol just kidding. thanks and ill pass the message on to them.
thanks. now if you could just tell them that stuff about me maybe i can stay out a little later on weekends
. lol just kidding. thanks and ill pass the message on to them.
I just came across this post and felt compelled to share our story.
My son, an '06 C/1b, told me he was calling it quits last fall after his dad committed suicide. At that time he was being recruited by quite a few schools. Of coarse I was devastated by his sudden choice to stop playing the sport he had devoted so much time and energy to just when he would have been able to bear the fruits of all his hard work. His dream had always been to play baseball at the college level.
While I was concerned with his timing in making this decision, I was supportive all the same. A few of the college coaches contacted me and told me that because of the circumstances surrounding his decision to quit, they would hold a spot for him if he decided he wanted to play again at any time down the road.
I still have a copy of the letter I sent to him, which brings tears to my eyes even now.
I thanked him for all the wonderful memories over the years. From his years playing Little League and Pony baseball to his final high school years playing with ABD.
He was the starting catcher on his HS varsity team as a freshman and they won the CIF championship his sophomore year. He was named to the 1st team ALL CIF that year, which was quite an accomplishment since he was only a sophomore. He was an All League award winner all 3 years he played.
He was also the kid who got the coaches award every year except for one, from his t-ball days through his high school career.
We have terrific memories from all the PG events including the Perfect Game National Showcase he was invited to attend at Turner Field last year.
He still wears the clay stained jersey T from that event to this day.
The fun he had spending weeks in Georgia playing at the PG chamionships each July is something he will never forget. He even traveled to Beijing China to play in the Goodwill Series with Rob Williams. He went to Beijing with his close friends and ABD teamates Chris Parmelee, who was a 1st round draft pick this year with Minnesota and Matt Jaimes, 12th round Rangers.
When he decided to hang up his cleats, so many people told me I couldn't allow him to do this with all the opportunities before him to play in college. We were all families that were very involved with our son's baseball careers. I told everyone that this was his decision to make. Of coarse I did discuss all of this with him in depth, but told him I loved him and I would support and respect whatever decision he made.
To the dismay of the high school coach he decided to play Golf instead of baseball this past spring (his senior year). He threw himself into this sport with the same intensity as he had played baseball, practicing every waking moment, but hitting golf balls instead of baseball. The Golf team went 16-0 and he was named to the All League team and once again received the "coaches award", which I feel is the most valuable award.
I told him that while baseball has been a major part of his life it does not define who he is.
He is a young man who has always shown great character on and off the baseball field and I knew he would be a success in life with or without baseball. I am very proud of the young man he has become and how he came through this horrific adversity that faced our family very unexpectedly.
Well, come the end of May when the golf season ended he came home one evening with cuts all over his hands. He told me he had been hitting baseballs. I asked why he was hitting and held my breath for his response. He told me very simply "I wanted to see if I could still hit after not picking up a bat for 8 months".
He smiled and said "Mom, I couldn't believe it, I was hitting better than ever".
He then told me he wanted to play again again and called his ABD coach Mike Spiers to see if he could play with them this summer.
Several days later, the UC Irvine coaches heard he had picked up a bat again and called and told him his spot was waiting for him if he wanted to play with them this fall.
That was always the school he wanted to play for and he will definitely need to earn his spot on this D1 team but what a blessing that he is being givien the opportunity to do so.
I can't say enough about the compassion and support that Mike Spiers (ABD)and the UC Irvine coaches (Dave Serrano, Sergio Brown and Chad Baum) have shown to him.
Right now he is in Marietta, Georgia playing at the PG 18u Tournament and will have an opportunity to play at Turner Field one more time next week at the PG BCS tournament. It was wonderful once again to see that glint in his eyes as he packed his bags for his final trip to Marietta. He told me that he loved being able to play golf but he really missed baseball. It really wasn't time for him to close the door on the sport he has such a passion for. He will be building more cherished baseball memories over these next few weeks and perhaps for years to come. If at some point down the road he decides he has swung the bat for the last time or even if it is a coach who decides that time has come, at least he will not be living with any regrets of having walked away from the sport he loves before it's time...
I have been so appreciative of everyone on the HSBB website through the years and the PG organization who has afforded our boys so many opportunities to showcase themselves and to play ball at their national events. When the 2006 draft list came out, my son commented that he could not believe how many of the players he had come to know at the many PG Showcases and events he had played in throughout the years.
The memories are all priceless!!!
God Bless you all.
Regina Pugliese
My son, an '06 C/1b, told me he was calling it quits last fall after his dad committed suicide. At that time he was being recruited by quite a few schools. Of coarse I was devastated by his sudden choice to stop playing the sport he had devoted so much time and energy to just when he would have been able to bear the fruits of all his hard work. His dream had always been to play baseball at the college level.
While I was concerned with his timing in making this decision, I was supportive all the same. A few of the college coaches contacted me and told me that because of the circumstances surrounding his decision to quit, they would hold a spot for him if he decided he wanted to play again at any time down the road.
I still have a copy of the letter I sent to him, which brings tears to my eyes even now.
I thanked him for all the wonderful memories over the years. From his years playing Little League and Pony baseball to his final high school years playing with ABD.
He was the starting catcher on his HS varsity team as a freshman and they won the CIF championship his sophomore year. He was named to the 1st team ALL CIF that year, which was quite an accomplishment since he was only a sophomore. He was an All League award winner all 3 years he played.
He was also the kid who got the coaches award every year except for one, from his t-ball days through his high school career.
We have terrific memories from all the PG events including the Perfect Game National Showcase he was invited to attend at Turner Field last year.
He still wears the clay stained jersey T from that event to this day.
The fun he had spending weeks in Georgia playing at the PG chamionships each July is something he will never forget. He even traveled to Beijing China to play in the Goodwill Series with Rob Williams. He went to Beijing with his close friends and ABD teamates Chris Parmelee, who was a 1st round draft pick this year with Minnesota and Matt Jaimes, 12th round Rangers.
When he decided to hang up his cleats, so many people told me I couldn't allow him to do this with all the opportunities before him to play in college. We were all families that were very involved with our son's baseball careers. I told everyone that this was his decision to make. Of coarse I did discuss all of this with him in depth, but told him I loved him and I would support and respect whatever decision he made.
To the dismay of the high school coach he decided to play Golf instead of baseball this past spring (his senior year). He threw himself into this sport with the same intensity as he had played baseball, practicing every waking moment, but hitting golf balls instead of baseball. The Golf team went 16-0 and he was named to the All League team and once again received the "coaches award", which I feel is the most valuable award.
I told him that while baseball has been a major part of his life it does not define who he is.
He is a young man who has always shown great character on and off the baseball field and I knew he would be a success in life with or without baseball. I am very proud of the young man he has become and how he came through this horrific adversity that faced our family very unexpectedly.
Well, come the end of May when the golf season ended he came home one evening with cuts all over his hands. He told me he had been hitting baseballs. I asked why he was hitting and held my breath for his response. He told me very simply "I wanted to see if I could still hit after not picking up a bat for 8 months".
He smiled and said "Mom, I couldn't believe it, I was hitting better than ever".
He then told me he wanted to play again again and called his ABD coach Mike Spiers to see if he could play with them this summer.
Several days later, the UC Irvine coaches heard he had picked up a bat again and called and told him his spot was waiting for him if he wanted to play with them this fall.
That was always the school he wanted to play for and he will definitely need to earn his spot on this D1 team but what a blessing that he is being givien the opportunity to do so.
I can't say enough about the compassion and support that Mike Spiers (ABD)and the UC Irvine coaches (Dave Serrano, Sergio Brown and Chad Baum) have shown to him.
Right now he is in Marietta, Georgia playing at the PG 18u Tournament and will have an opportunity to play at Turner Field one more time next week at the PG BCS tournament. It was wonderful once again to see that glint in his eyes as he packed his bags for his final trip to Marietta. He told me that he loved being able to play golf but he really missed baseball. It really wasn't time for him to close the door on the sport he has such a passion for. He will be building more cherished baseball memories over these next few weeks and perhaps for years to come. If at some point down the road he decides he has swung the bat for the last time or even if it is a coach who decides that time has come, at least he will not be living with any regrets of having walked away from the sport he loves before it's time...
I have been so appreciative of everyone on the HSBB website through the years and the PG organization who has afforded our boys so many opportunities to showcase themselves and to play ball at their national events. When the 2006 draft list came out, my son commented that he could not believe how many of the players he had come to know at the many PG Showcases and events he had played in throughout the years.
The memories are all priceless!!!
God Bless you all.
Regina Pugliese