It's not fair

keeping proper perspective...is always a good thing!

Great point.  Life's not fair - period.  Never was, never has been and never will be.  We all have to play with the cards that are dealt to us.

As Forrest Gump said, "Life is like a box of chocolates.  You never know what you're going to get."

Absolutely! Both of my kids have needed to visit a very big well known children's hospital for various reasons. Let me tell you, after being there many times, spending a couple nights and actually being in the activity rooms with the kids who practically live there, if that doesn't put things in perspective for you nothing will. We still talk about it to this day. It has changed my outlook on a lot of things and my kids as well. If you're playing any baseball, your already one of the lucky ones.

My perspective never changes much.  

The world sucks, life can be a nightmare.  Find some joy where you can.  Do you things for yourself, because you want to.  Be honest.  

I watch this video when I need a reminder...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDDWvj_q-o8 

Bulldog 19 posted:

I watch this video when I need a reminder...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDDWvj_q-o8 

The video is a good reminder. Three years ago I had a dissection and four strokes. I beat the one in six odds of survival. Or should I say the surgeon beat them. When I woke up I had to learn to walk again. I spent five weeks at the hospital. The six months afterwards I was at the hospital every week for some kind of test. Even now I go once a month. I'm so accustomed to being at the hospital I'm oblivious to what the people around me might be going through. The sound of helicopters landing at the hospital still gives me chills.

Amen, brother RJM. 

Timely comment as I'm coordinating a volunteer event at the end of the month for my sons HS Baseball Program at the Miracle League near us.  

Really is amazing to see the joy and excitement on the Miracle League kids faces when they cross home plate, and just plain happy to be out on the field playing softball/baseball like their siblings.  

RJM, glad you made it back.  One in six is tough to say the least.  

I don't get what kind of adult needs reminders about perspective, but, I guess we are all different.  

Was thinking of volunteering at a miracle league where I live....I would take it is recommended?

Excellent post, RJM.

Our local Little League has each team take turns volunteering for the Challenger League so both my boys participated when they were younger...would highly recommend it (for players and parents).

Last week I was late for work because my 6 year old daughter was being especially difficult about her hair.  I was all set to walk into work and complain with my co-workers, then I was told one of them had lost his daughter in a car crash the night before....I was thankful I was able to fight with my daughter that morning. 

If whatever you are so upset about won't have an impact on your life 5 years from now, get over it and move on!

Sometimes, it's the kids who teach us about perspective. My son lost one of his best friends 1 year ago. He wears a t-shirt dedicated to his friend under his uniform for every game. His new, custom glove will bear an inscription dedicated to his friend. He is motivated every day by the loss of that young life and he has vowed to never take his life for granted. He is not shy in showing affection, consistently telling and showing his family and friends that he loves us, and he doesn't waste energy fighting with people or holding grudges. He grew up way too fast because of this experience and is wise beyond his 15 years, but he teaches me every day how to move forward with grace and truly embrace every moment.

Leftside posted:

RJM, glad you made it back.  One in six is tough to say the least.  

I don't get what kind of adult needs reminders about perspective, but, I guess we are all different.  

Was thinking of volunteering at a miracle league where I live....I would take it is recommended?

Three months before the event at a physical my doctor said I was in the condition of someone twenty-five years younger. The surgeon said it's probably why I survived. My situation was genetic not being unhealthy.

It's easy to get caught up in your own life and lose perspective on what others in the periphery are experiencing. In the past three years (mostly the first year) I've spent so much time at the hospital I became immune to what's going on around me when I'm there.

Hearing the Med Flight helicopters still gives me chills. I was completely calm on my flight. It never dawned on me I was dying. It's one expensive ride; $14,000 for fifteen miles. I negotiated it down to $7,000. No, my insurance didn't cover the ride.

I saw a clip on the Miracle League in Allentown PA. I visited. It's very well run. It's also a social center for the kids and parents. It's an emotional experience to watch these kids participate. I met a kid with great spirit. His ability to converse with adults and be articulate was way beyond his years. His mother explained it came from spending so much time talking with doctors and nurses. This kid was as normal as can be. Yet he's going to spend his life in a wheelchair.

CaCO3Girl posted:

Last week I was late for work because my 6 year old daughter was being especially difficult about her hair.  I was all set to walk into work and complain with my co-workers, then I was told one of them had lost his daughter in a car crash the night before....I was thankful I was able to fight with my daughter that morning. 

If whatever you are so upset about won't have an impact on your life 5 years from now, get over it and move on!

In the past year or so my cousin has dealt with her now 13yo daughter dying her hair bright red, purple and blue. She doesn't fight it. She figures as long as her daughter behaves, is respectful and gets all A's hair color isn't something worth fighting over. The girl is so bright (very high IQ) it's her way of being different rather than being a nerd. She also plays guitar in a Nirvana tribute band.

kandkfunk posted:

Sometimes, it's the kids who teach us about perspective. 

Totally agree!  

Things are pretty hectic now for me at work, and to be honest the ball got dropped about this volunteer event.  Long story short, new HC said he got it only to find out nothing had been done - even after I reached out 6 weeks ago asking if I could help.  Everyone let it go, and I was going to as well when my son said... Dad, will you coordinate this because it's really the right thing to do.  

Was proud of my son for reminding me to do the right thing & for the right reasons (even when others may not).  He understands b/c his older brother is a former miracle league participant who was 4 months early and weighed 1lb 7oz.

leftside - HIGHLY recommend.  Its a great opportunity to help out, and a fantastic reminder to our kids who play baseball just how special it is to be able play the game we all luv.

presont posted:

Timely comment as I'm coordinating a volunteer event at the end of the month for my sons HS Baseball Program at the Miracle League near us.  

Really is amazing to see the joy and excitement on the Miracle League kids faces when they cross home plate, and just plain happy to be out on the field playing softball/baseball like their siblings.  

Glad I read this thread. I think my son would enjoy being a buddy.

Here's a great story about Dave Stevens: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Stevens_(athlete)

I agree its not fair.  My son just got cut from his HS team and he is a senior.  I am sad for him because the way it was handled.  They had a fundraiser before tryouts and all returning players were to pitch in which he did and donate stuff which we did and then he goes to tryouts and is cut.  But that is the way this guy works.  He didn't want to say anything until he was sure he had enough players for both JV and V.  Once he seen he had enough my son was done.  He is the first senior I have seen cut that played the previous 3 years.  And to add to the insult he really doesn't even know my son.  As the head V coach he never goes to any of the JV games or sees them practice.  But oh well he wasn't planning on even trying to play in college and instead he is back to playing golf.  My wife told him that god must have a plan for why he go cut.  Maybe just to get away from the coach or just to get away from that team only time will tell.  So yeah life and HS baseball is not fair but he will be a better man since he had to face the getting cut and deal with it.  

Irondad posted:

I agree its not fair.  My son just got cut from his HS team and he is a senior.  I am sad for him because the way it was handled.  They had a fundraiser before tryouts and all returning players were to pitch in which he did and donate stuff which we did and then he goes to tryouts and is cut.  But that is the way this guy works.  He didn't want to say anything until he was sure he had enough players for both JV and V.  Once he seen he had enough my son was done.  He is the first senior I have seen cut that played the previous 3 years.  And to add to the insult he really doesn't even know my son.  As the head V coach he never goes to any of the JV games or sees them practice.  But oh well he wasn't planning on even trying to play in college and instead he is back to playing golf.  My wife told him that god must have a plan for why he go cut.  Maybe just to get away from the coach or just to get away from that team only time will tell.  So yeah life and HS baseball is not fair but he will be a better man since he had to face the getting cut and deal with it.  

That is, in fact, not fair. 

At our high school this year the varsity basketball coach cut or "encouraged to quit" several of the juniors and seniors to make room for sophomores. Idea was to give the sophs playing time so that they might win something in a year or two.  Team was way under .500 and seniors were robbed of their final season of HS basketball. Just heard administration "cut" the coach. Now that IS fair.

Irondad posted:

I agree its not fair.  My son just got cut from his HS team and he is a senior.  I am sad for him because the way it was handled.  They had a fundraiser before tryouts and all returning players were to pitch in which he did and donate stuff which we did and then he goes to tryouts and is cut.  But that is the way this guy works.  He didn't want to say anything until he was sure he had enough players for both JV and V.  Once he seen he had enough my son was done.  He is the first senior I have seen cut that played the previous 3 years.  And to add to the insult he really doesn't even know my son.  As the head V coach he never goes to any of the JV games or sees them practice.  But oh well he wasn't planning on even trying to play in college and instead he is back to playing golf.  My wife told him that god must have a plan for why he go cut.  Maybe just to get away from the coach or just to get away from that team only time will tell.  So yeah life and HS baseball is not fair but he will be a better man since he had to face the getting cut and deal with it.  

IRONDAD - similar thing happened at my sons school last year.  Senior Catcher got cut, yet this year he makes the fall roster @ University of Georgia so sometimes there is a plan when it seems like its not.  Kinda makes ya shake your head sometimes...

Best of luck to your son on his future.

Irondad posted:

I agree its not fair.  My son just got cut from his HS team and he is a senior.  I am sad for him because the way it was handled.  They had a fundraiser before tryouts and all returning players were to pitch in which he did and donate stuff which we did and then he goes to tryouts and is cut.  But that is the way this guy works.  He didn't want to say anything until he was sure he had enough players for both JV and V.  Once he seen he had enough my son was done.  He is the first senior I have seen cut that played the previous 3 years.  And to add to the insult he really doesn't even know my son.  As the head V coach he never goes to any of the JV games or sees them practice.  But oh well he wasn't planning on even trying to play in college and instead he is back to playing golf.  My wife told him that god must have a plan for why he go cut.  Maybe just to get away from the coach or just to get away from that team only time will tell.  So yeah life and HS baseball is not fair but he will be a better man since he had to face the getting cut and deal with it.  

My son's coach kept all seniors who made it that far in the program. He told them they got a uniform as long as they understand they don't complain about not playing and will only get a handul of at bats or an inning in one sided games. One of them actually had the leadership ability to lead from the bench.

My son would have been an asset to the bench.  He pick up on patterns and signs.  This is HS ball pitchers almost always have a pattern or tells.  He has a lot of knowledge of baseball for his age.  He would have been happy to be the  courtesy runner the whole season as well.  He loves to run the base paths.  He is a very positive kid.  The other side of the coin there are a couple on the team he cant stand, think they are gods of baseball, when in fact if they are lucky they will get a partial scholarship at a very low level D1 school.  The D1 school has a decent team but they get killed when they play a typical D1 school like say Purdue.  I know the coach is expecting me to call him and complain so I won't.  I have let it go.  Had to deal with a lot of heart ache this year and have had to let things go.  My daughter is a freshman in HS and decided to give up softball due to a back injury.  Bilateral Pars fracture of the L5.  She was a pitcher that was throwing in the mid 50's at 14 which it above average and had some other talent but with this fracture you are at a higher risk of back problems that results in a fusion so no reason to increase the risk by playing softball.  

Hi All - We had a GREAT day with the Varsity/JV teams supporting the Miracle League.  My son said the Miracle League players kept saying 'I want a baseball player as my buddy today', which made the kids feel good helping out. 

Fantastic reminder of how lucky our kids are to play ball.

Here's some pictures;

To the kid in the wheelchair your son might as well be a MLBer. Your son is what he dreams he could be. You can tell by the expression the kid loves baseball. Your son made his day.

2019Son volunteered, along with a number of other players from his high school, at a Challenger program today. Holy smokes, that'll change the perspective of a 9th grader! A very good experience.

Every year at our All American Game all the proceeds go to Pediatric Cancer.  One one of the things that all the players do is visit the children's hospital.  If I could make a suggestion that will have an impact on most anyone, go visit a Children's Hospital and take your kids with you. When you see these children, many that are fighting for their life,  it gives a real perspective to those things that seem unfair.

2019Dad posted:

2019Son volunteered, along with a number of other players from his high school, at a Challenger program today. Holy smokes, that'll change the perspective of a 9th grader! A very good experience.

2019Dad - AWESOME to hear!  Hopefully your son took away some good stuff from the Miracle League / Challenger game  

Hopefully, he'll volunteer again with his teammates.  At a minimum volunteering helps to 'build the resume' for college, and best case - they learn that its not so tough to put in the extra reps & work to get better when the Challenger kids try so hard to do things that come naturally to our ballplayers.

The Dave Clark organization provides another opportunity to volunteer if his D3 Day comes to a town near you. http://www.daveclarkfoundation.../disabilty-dream-day

The older I get the more I understand. Maybe I'm just hard headed? No I know I am. Life is precious. And the joy in life is not about you and things. Stuff you can accumulate. No it's about others. And you don't control anything as much as we would like to think we do. You give and you love. And you invest in others all you can. And then you die. And hopefully you made this world a better place for having been around. You brought no stuff with you and you ain't taking no stuff with you. But you can leave behind a legacy of giving and loving. God makes no mistakes. FAITH - Forsaking All I Trust Him. 

Joemktgson and teammates recently competed against Best Buddies. Joemktgson pitched and got hammered: best pitching performance of his life.