I'm a senior. It's over.

High School –

At home games this year, after the games end, some folks from the snack bar will bring out any leftover pizza and hot dogs to the field. They try to bring them to the coaches first and then the players devour the rest in a matter of seconds.

Last night, we had a home playoff game. We picked a bad day to throw out a clunker game. Our season was suddenly over. No one expected it to end yet.

A few years ago, when we were in the “building” stage, we knew when the last game would be. Last year, we lost a tough road playoff game and the players shook it, for the most part, on the long ride home in vans. Each time, that on-field post-game “photo shoot” with departing seniors was emotional and difficult. Nothing like last night though.

This year, we were at home. We weren’t supposed to lose. This team was special. These seniors, all seven, were special. Not all were starters but they were all amazing kids and gave everything they had to fill their roles.

By the end of the post-game talk, most started to realize that it wasn’t just the season that was over. It wasn’t about that game any more. Many of the seniors and some of the others started wandering out onto the field. It went in waves - very slow motion waves. One would wander out and lay on the IF grass, while two others hugged their coaches. Not too many dry eyes, certainly not on any one of the seniors. Words were hard to come by. No one wanted to leave the field. I hugged every one of them (I’m not a hugger). I hugged my senior son last. He didn’t let go. It felt really good and it really hurt at the same time.

Eventually, everyone cleared out and I had lock-up duty. I sat in the empty dugout by myself for a while longer. After a bit, I could see one of the seniors' cars driving back down the lane into the ballpark. He came in and did one more walk. This kid was the least talented baseball player in our local little league, then not much better in babe ruth. Hard worker, great attitude, great team player, huge heart. He was the only player that we ever kept on varsity purely as a bullpen catcher, with the understanding of little or no PT. He never gave less than 100%. I re-iterated how proud he should be in the path he had taken and how his efforts and attitude will serve him well. The only words he could get out - "I love baseball, coach". About an hour later, after some more "me" time in the dugout, I locked up.

The pizza and dogs were still there.

.

Thanks for sharing that cabbagedad.

.

Cabbagedad, that was a great post.

In just a few paragraphs I think you beautifully captured the emotion, camaraderie and innocence of high school baseball. As a coach you should be proud, you obviously instilled a love of the game in those young men that will last a lifetime. Thank you.

Great story cabbagedad. Brought a few tears to my eyes reading it.

I'm starting to realize it every time I try to make a rehab throw and it hurts worse than it did before.

Makes me reflect back to my last college game...I was pulled early in the conference tournament after a terrible outing. I threw a Harper-esque fit, the only time I've done that in my life. Seems likely at this point that it was the last thing I did as a competitive baseball player.

Just a harsh reminder that every day could be your last as a baseball player.

Great post cabbagedad!

I enjoyed that story, cabbagedad! That's what baseball is all about!

JPontiac, that's a good thing to point out as too many guys take the game for granted and think they will be a player forever.

Thanks for sharing, cabbagedad.

What an epic post cabbagedad ! Beautifully written. I was thinking about this yesterday as I watched my son's high school team get ready for playoffs.There are 6 seniors on the squad and not all of them will be playing at the next level.The end is near for some of these boys.I'm sure there will be tears shed.

I read your post to my wife as she was finishing her dinner.It brought tears to her eyes.Our son is only a sophomore,and hopefully we do not have to face the inevitable anytime soon.

Cabbage, very moving stuff... So very real

cabbagedad, great post. I got a lump in my throat and teary eyes while reading it.

It made me think of the "players"--the kids who played with heart but weren't what one of my kid's coaches referred to as the "newspaper guys"---you know, the guys who are always written up in the newspaper---but without them they wouldn't be written up---the guys who made the plays (for the pitcher) and the guys who got on base (for the stud hitter to hit them in). Sometimes I think that those are the kids who love baseball the most.

I thought about the kids who never had that "special moment" when it's over senior year--the kids who got hurt and ended their career too early, when they didn't expect to or plan to.

And then I thought about my daughter who is a hs junior.....and am wondering how long I will cry when she plays her last game--hopefully after her senior year and not before--she is the youngest of my four baseball and softball playing children. What on earth will I do when it's over?

My tears are for you and your son, and that bullpen catcher. And for all of the kids who didn't know they played their last game....and for their parents. And for all of the kids who played their last game and don't want it to be over. I hate goodbyes.

Hardest summer I had was after my senior year of high school. Walking off that field for the last time I realized that my time wearing a baseball jersey was done. Not only that, but my high school career was over. We had graduated and that was the last thing left. That summer I didn't pick up a baseball. Not because I didn't want to, but because there was no "home" anymore on the ball diamond.

That lack of a "home" last only a summer. The next summer I was coaching alongside my high school coach. The summer after that I was interning in professional baseball. Now I work with high school athletes including baseball players.

The other night my dad was out drinking with some coaches and he text me. "Someone wanted to see you" is what he told me and he wanted me to come pick him up. I walked into the bar and he's sitting there with a couple of the high school coaches and two older gentlemen that honestly I had no clue who they were. But one guy definitey knew who I was! Off he went into stories about me being "knee-high" and running around in the dugout, trying to help him keep the scorebook, and most importantly always having a smile on my face. He said I never kept still and had all kinds of energy. They talked about how I used to carry my big bag up to the field for camps and had a helmet on that was way too big.

He asked me if I liked what I was doing now and I told him, "I love it." Each day I get to work with athletes is a day that I absolutely love. Yes, the kids and their parents sometimes drive me nuts but those kids get to go out and play a game. And I get to be a part of that. The other day I worked 11 hours, but 2.5 of those hours were spent in the sunshine watching a baseball game. Can you believe they pay me for that??


Below is a picture of me with my godfather after my last baseball game.

Nice story, Bulldog 19!
.

Thanks guys. I think I posted mostly to unload some of my own emotions from that night and didn’t think it would necessarily translate. Then you all had to respond like that and now I’m reliving it as I read each response. You guys make lousy therapists.

OK, come on now, there has to be tons of other stories for this topic.

My 2008 son's last game was in HS. He was an average player. Bottom third on his traveling team from 11-17. He was a catcher primarily. His freshman year he made the freshman team as 2nd string. He LOVED baseball (still does) and worked tirelessly at it. His sophomore year, earned starting on JV, Jr year backup on varsity. Caught maybe 5 games (2nd of dbl headers) and maybe 10 at bats. His senior year, he earned the starting catcher position. His team was loaded, 7 Sr's- 6 going to play in college, he was the one that wasn't. He was voted team captain because of his leadership and tenacity in being better (a proud moment for both he and his parents). Season went along, they played well. Won league title,etc.

First tournament game at home, they were big favorites. Had just beat this team something like 17-1 2 weeks earlier. But it was not meant to be. They were up something like 3-1 after 4, then the wheels fell off. Gave 13 runs in one innning, lots of errors, walks, HPB and hits, 5 pitchers. One more at bat and they were run ruled. They were stunned and my son was inconsolable. He was the only player on that team that was not going to play summer ball or next year. His Sr teammates were outstanding as well as his head coach. They just didn't leave until Rudy (my son) was ready to leave. Game was over about 7pm. He got home at 11pm. That is when the team left the field. I will be forever grateful to those boys and that coach for recognizing how important it was to my Rudy, his last day as a baseball player.

Great stories.....I have been coaching this game long enough that I have more gray hairs than not. We have our athletic banquet tonight, and sometimes I forget how much it means not only to me and the players, but also the parents, teachers, and community that have watched these kids grow up on the baseball field.

I will have to miss my own son's t-ball game tonight. As I sit and think about what all you guys have said about your sons loving the game and what it will be like when it is over, I can't help but think about what lies ahead. I pray and hope he stays healthy and keeps the passion that he has now for the game. If you want a quick flashback down memory lane, click here and here......It is a pic of my son hitting and warming up for his game last week.

What a truly moving thread. I just had to put in a dip and read it through again.

Stories as varied as Cabbagedad's and Chefmike's are serious medicine for those of us with kids really just starting the journey and give proof to the adage so often stated here in HSBBW, "Enjoy the ride."

Sports parents can spend so much energy looking forward and trying to project their children's future in sports that they can lose sight of how much fun you can have by just being in that moment. Then when it comes to an end, as it will for most of us and our boys, sooner rather than later, we can take solace in knowing we enjoyed this ride as much as we could.

Thanks guys.

quote:

I will be forever grateful to those boys and that coach for recognizing how important it was to my Rudy, his last day as a baseball player.

Sounds like to me that Rudy will always be a baseball player.

When I played ball I couldn't understand why anyone would go to practice for four years, be part time players on the freshman and JV teams for three years, not make varsity until senior year and then ride the pine. When I got older, loking back I realized these are the guys who really loved baseball. It's easy to show up when you know you're in the lineup every game.

What I did realize when I was in high school (an era where there was more banter), the four seniors at the end of the bench were masters at annoying and distracting opponents and sometimes making pitchers come unglued.

quote:

Originally posted by 2013 Dad:

quote:

I will be forever grateful to those boys and that coach for recognizing how important it was to my Rudy, his last day as a baseball player.

Sounds like to me that Rudy will always be a baseball player.

Oh, he is in his head, just not on a ball field . He does have aspirations to be a baseball coach in HS after he finishes his education major.

He is quick to let his little brother (2014)know to enjoy it, work hard at it, get everything you can out of it, be a great teammate especially to all those that do not get on the field so easily. 2014 has much more talent than either of his brothers or dad. Started on a good varsity team as a freshman, this year (soph) 2nd team all league, # 2 pitcher, #4 hitter on team, getting quite a few look from colleges, etc. Don't know where he got the God given talent, but it is fun to watch.

With that being said, he gets it that baseball is not forever, because Rudy and his other older brother are his shining examples. Rudy is the one out there throwing batting practice, doing long toss, etc when he is home from college. Rudy who 2014 looks up too as what a "real" baseball player is. They both make me proud because of that.

I love this thread! I understand that RJM initially posted about the college game and then Cabbagedad morphed it into high school.

A team needs all members and all members of the team participate and contribute in their own way. My son was one of the kids that earned a scholarship and has moved on to a top ranked DI school. A few times throughout high school he brought up a couple guys that didn't play very much but continued to contribute for the love of the game. As a freshman, and maybe as a sophomore, he wondered why they even put in the effort. As he grew and matured he started to understand the game more and understand that there's more to it than just playing the game: It's the love of the game. It's the love of your teammates. It's the love of community. It's the love of belonging to something bigger than yourself. It's the understanding that physical limitations on a baseball field don't define you, it's your heart that defines you.

We had the talk above over the last year or so of his high school career. By teaching him something it actually taught me something too. I had always supported the kids when I could but I thought there should be something more I could do. Honestly, I don't know enough about baseball (even now) to be a coach. I can throw BP and play catch but that's about it. I absolutely love the game but I don't know a tenth of what my son already knows. I wanted to contribute. So two years ago I endowed a scholarship at his high school. The scholarship is entirely up to the coaches discretion with one caveat. It goes to the best Role Player on the team. The kid has to epitomize a "team player." I wanted the kid that makes it to every practice, that works out with the team every day, that does anything and everything that's asked of him to be rewarded too. Two years into it I think it's been a successful endeavor. Coach has awarded it to two deserving young men.

For those of you out there whose boys fit this model please know that it's seen and appreciated and rewarded - by the kids and the parents. Every team needs all the boys on it.

(PS - I did this under a new screen name because our community doesn't know I'm doing this. And neither does my son. I hope you understand the anonymity.)

quote:

Originally posted by RolePlayer:
The kid has to epitomize a "team player." I wanted the kid that makes it to every practice, that works out with the team every day, that does anything and everything that's asked of him to be rewarded too. Two years into it I think it's been a successful endeavor. Coach has awarded it to two deserving young men.

For those of you out there whose boys fit this model please know that it's seen and appreciated and rewarded - by the kids and the parents. Every team needs all the boys on it.

(PS - I did this under a new screen name because our community doesn't know I'm doing this. And neither does my son. I hope you understand the anonymity.)

A unique post on the hsbbweb as far as I can tell

As far as the quoted material I selected, those are all the things I believe about baseball. Not only that, there are some very talented players out there (beyond role players) who also subscribe to those things.

Beyond that, what makes your post unique imho is that you are not publicly taking any credit for the good deeds you have done. That is a biblical principal in that we are instructed to do our good works in secret. Don't let the left hand know what the right hand is doing if you will. FWIW, I admire what you've done and how you've chosen to let that alone speak for itself.

quote:

Originally posted by RJM:
I'm curious to see what comments posters might have about when their son realized he's been playing since tee ball and there are no more games to play.

That realization came home for us tonight. My son has played baseball since he was five - LL, AAU, JV, Varsity and American Legion). And as always he and his fellow seniors saved the best season for last.

This season has been more than we ever expected. Finished the regular season in a three way tie for first. In the district tournament championship, he hit the double to tie the game with two outs in the bottom of the 7th. They went on to win the game in the 8th. First district championship since 1988. In region play they won in the quarterfinals and semifinals to secure a spot in the state quarterfinals - first state appearance ever. In addition he was named 1st Team All District - 1B and 1st Team All Region - 1B.

In the state quarterfinals this evening, they rallied from a 2-0 deficit to take a 3-2 lead in the 6th, but it was not to be. Two outs away from going to the state semifinals, the defense gave up two good hits - one a dying liner that was almost caught - to lose 4-3. And like that, his high school career was over.

My wife and I waited while the team cleaned up the dugout and gathered their gear. Finally he came out - the last one. I waited patiently while he hugged his mother, friends and others. Finally my turn. Wordlessly he gave me a big bear hug and wouldn't let go. With tears rolling down my cheeks I told him I was very proud of him and they left nothing on the field. I could hear him silently crying. Gave him one last hug and whispered, "We've still got Legion ball and you'll be playing JUCO ball in the fall and next spring. High school ball may be over, but you're not done." (He signed a NLI with a division II Juco the night of the district championship game).

Like everyone else, I knew this day would come. We were fortunate that it lasted a little longer than normal. Even knowing this, we did not want it to end. Out of the six seniors on this years squad - four will be going on to play ball at the next level - three college and one pro. The remaining two are going to college, but will not be playing ball.

It was a very fun and enjoyable ride. Wouldn't have missed it for the world.

.

That's a great story. Much success to your son in his pursuit of his dream.



.

Re: my original post

I guess it was only over for the college years. The kid was drafted in the 14th round.