My son who coaches in college came home for Easter break. He calls me yesterday and say's "Hey Dad do you want to go see one of my recruits throw tonight?" So I am like heck yeah. Get the chance to watch a HS game with my son and at the same time one of his guys pitch. Yep no way I will miss that. And then he tells me its against my former program that is now coached by one of my former players who I am very close with. Yep we got to do this.
So I rush home and we get in the truck and head to the Tourney to watch the game. When we get to the game I see several of my scouting buddies a former college coach and many old friends. It turns out my former school is throwing a Soph who has already verballed to NC State. And the game after the one we have come to see there are 2 big time arms throwing.
So I see this skinny lefty jog out to the mound. I mean he is pretty thin. And I say is that your boy? "Yep. I know he is a little thin right now. And he needs to work on some things. But he is going to be really good after we have him for a couple of years." I could see the sparkle in his eyes. Kind of like you just watch and see Dad. I could also tell he was a little nervous for the young guy. Just wanting him to do well. And wanting to see his guy validate what he had seen in him. The kids parents come down and say hello. My son is Yes Sir, No Sir, great to see you, all that stuff. I can tell they don't want to bother him and they go back to their seats.
So the game is about to start. His guy is on the hill to start the game. I am standing there with Billy Best Scout with Atlanta. Billy Godwin former ECU HC and current Yankee scout. No guns come out. He's 80-83 tops. He is mixing in a cutter, change and Cb. And he looks pretty good. Gives up 2 sharp singles but no runs in the 1st. My son looks at me and says "He has to learn to throw his CB for a strike in FB counts." Then the Soph for my former HS comes out. Guns come out. He's a loose 88-89 with a hammer. 15 year old soph who is def talented. Scouts rave. Say the kid has a chance to be really good. And he does.
So the game goes on. Jeff's guy is straight dealing. Get's better every at bat. Carves and dices the other team up. K's 10, gives up 3 hits and no BB and 0 runs- CG. The soph lasted 3, gave up 5 runs on around 8 hits. Now the soph right now is clearly more gifted. But the Sr is clearly the better pitcher. And I have a feeling in a couple of years this kid is going to be straight dealing for my son's college team. But if you could have seen the look on my son's face as he watched his boy deal you would know what I am feeling.
That's his guy. That is what a coach feels. I knew once my son got a taste of that feeling he would understand how I felt as a coach and a Dad. After the game he went and gave his guy a high five. The parents a big handshake. The mom a big hug. Yes it's just a baseball story. And yes I am proud of my boy and his boy as well. As I stood there watching him work. Watching him do what he was born to do. I had that feeling inside "Thank you God. Thank you for allowing my son to do for a living what he loves to do." I am truly blessed. Happy Easter
