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.