..and now I get to do it all again........
44:
YUP!
quote:In the end, that is the goal isn't it? A better world for, and through our children?
YUP!
Let's also not forget the saying:
It's better to have tried and failed, than never to have tried at all!
It's better to have tried and failed, than never to have tried at all!
Eloquence on a sports message board, who woulda thunk it? This is why I know baseball is a noble game. Look at the minds and fans behind its young men... inspiring.
My honest appraisal: if my son must choose between ball at a weak school, or no ball at a very strong school (gulp) I'm going to encourage him to take the education and find another way to stay in baseball. Perhaps volunteer at a local league park, or play intermural. That said, I truly hope it ends up being a happy compromise and he plays ball for a decent school that will match his academic abilities. He's as good a student as he is a ball player, and that's a talent that shouldn't play second fiddle to his ability to smack a round ball.
It's more fun for me to watch him play ball than work on a math problem, I have to admit.
My honest appraisal: if my son must choose between ball at a weak school, or no ball at a very strong school (gulp) I'm going to encourage him to take the education and find another way to stay in baseball. Perhaps volunteer at a local league park, or play intermural. That said, I truly hope it ends up being a happy compromise and he plays ball for a decent school that will match his academic abilities. He's as good a student as he is a ball player, and that's a talent that shouldn't play second fiddle to his ability to smack a round ball.
It's more fun for me to watch him play ball than work on a math problem, I have to admit.
I was reorganizing our music collection today and found some CDs I forgot I owned. I took a Rod Stewart CD with me and played it on my way to work. When I got to the song "Forever Young" it hit me that this is the reason that I love baseball: because as long as we go to the ballpark, big or small, it keeps us "Forever Young", whether we are players, fans, parents, coaches, the whole crowd. (Well, okay, maybe not the losing Major League manager or anyone who works for Steinbrenner 
)
FOREVER YOUNG
(R. Stewart/J.Cregan/K.Savigar)
May the good Lord be with you
Down every road you roam
And may sunshine and happiness
surround you when you're far from home
And may you grow to be proud
Dignified and true
And do unto others
As you'd have done to you
Be courageous and be brave
And in my heart you'll always stay
Forever Young,
May good fortune be with you
May your guiding light be strong
Build a stairway to heaven
with a prince or a vagabond
And may you never love in vain
and in my heart you will remain
Forever Young,
And when you finally fly away
I'll be hoping that I served you well
For all the wisdom of a lifetime
No one can ever tell
But whatever road you choose
I'm right behind you, win or lose
Forever Young
)FOREVER YOUNG
(R. Stewart/J.Cregan/K.Savigar)
May the good Lord be with you
Down every road you roam
And may sunshine and happiness
surround you when you're far from home
And may you grow to be proud
Dignified and true
And do unto others
As you'd have done to you
Be courageous and be brave
And in my heart you'll always stay
Forever Young,
May good fortune be with you
May your guiding light be strong
Build a stairway to heaven
with a prince or a vagabond
And may you never love in vain
and in my heart you will remain
Forever Young,
And when you finally fly away
I'll be hoping that I served you well
For all the wisdom of a lifetime
No one can ever tell
But whatever road you choose
I'm right behind you, win or lose
Forever Young
shortstop mom,
whatta ya talking about? slash and burn? none of us would ever do that! that's uncalled for!
(Just kidding.)
whatta ya talking about? slash and burn? none of us would ever do that! that's uncalled for!
(Just kidding.)
quote:Originally posted by Smokey:
Found this taped to the wall next to the door over the light switch in my son’s college room.
DREAM.....
Smokey - He will be speaking at a conference we're hosting in February so I will get to meet him in person (as will my son). I can't wait!!!
This might provide some tangible information of the spirit and love for the game that drives, motivates players and absolutely leaves me without words:
Over the last 3 years our son has played and become friends with a young man drafted in the 10th round. The player was, clearly, one of the most impressive selections, regardless of position.
Since 2004 and a wonderful minor league season, he has undergone labrum surgery, overcome cancer, and just left Fla. following a rehab effort from a wrist injury/surgery incurred in July. He is as motivated as ever to return in February and succeed. It is hard to imagine the mental strength and tenacity that players combine with physical pain and perseverance during their rehab and off season conditioning. If it were me, I would have given up long ago. If it were me, I would not have had the talent to compete anyway.
How bad do players want it? I am beginning to find out. It leaves me in absolute awe. Iam cheering for that young man as hard as I am cheering for my own, who hasn't had the easiest route, either.
Over the last 3 years our son has played and become friends with a young man drafted in the 10th round. The player was, clearly, one of the most impressive selections, regardless of position.
Since 2004 and a wonderful minor league season, he has undergone labrum surgery, overcome cancer, and just left Fla. following a rehab effort from a wrist injury/surgery incurred in July. He is as motivated as ever to return in February and succeed. It is hard to imagine the mental strength and tenacity that players combine with physical pain and perseverance during their rehab and off season conditioning. If it were me, I would have given up long ago. If it were me, I would not have had the talent to compete anyway.
How bad do players want it? I am beginning to find out. It leaves me in absolute awe. Iam cheering for that young man as hard as I am cheering for my own, who hasn't had the easiest route, either.
quote:Originally posted by justbaseball:
What about you? What were your dreams for your son when he was 2 years old? Are they the same or similar now? Is it easy for you to draw the line on the whole be-a-college-athlete-at-all-costs thing? Is it grey? Or is it confusing as heck?!
Thoughts?
Justbb - up early today. LOL
My dreams for both boys are pretty much the same as when they were 2.
I just want them to smile alot - and become good people.
The question might well be "How bad do you want it as a parent?"
This issue isn't confusing at all for me JustBB. I simply pray that both of my children lead happy and productive lives... That they always enjoy good health.... That I'm always there to support them in whatever dreams they decide to pursue. I consider myself fortunate that they both have enjoyed things in their lives that I have been able to genuinely enjoy as well.... that would certainly include baseball! I've been very blessed by my kids and hope that they feel the same about me being their mother.
lafmom, you just took the words out of my mouth. Thank you!
quote:Originally posted by TRhit:
The question might well be "How bad do you want it as a parent?"
I think that is the question TR but I think it has to be qualified as in what point of their life. As a little Leaguer I must confess that because of his age, and lack of knowledge of the "real world" and it's possibilities, I probably wanted it for him more than he wanted it for himself. As a parent I feel it was my job to point him in a positive direction. From HS on I wanted it as much as he wanted it but on a mental plane versus his physical/mental plane. This is not because I'm trying to live his dream but because I'm his dad, his biggest fan and I feel it's my parental right to be part of that ride. Some would argue and might say I'm trying to live his dream, I would say that I want a front row seat to watch him try to accomplish it.
rz1
Clap,clap,Clap,clap,Clap,clap
quote:I probably wanted it for him more than he wanted it for himself. As a parent I feel it was my job to point him in a positive direction. From HS on I wanted it as much as he wanted it but on a mental plane versus his physical/mental plane. This is not because I'm trying to live his dream but because I'm his dad, his biggest fan
Clap,clap,Clap,clap,Clap,clap
I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed reading all of the responses in this thread. Its easy to see from reading these thoughts why your sons are so successful at a very difficult game.
And O44 - like I told you in a private email...GREAT JOB!
And O44 - like I told you in a private email...GREAT JOB!
This has been an excellent thread. All responses have been great.
Boy, does this question get you thinking or what. I ask myself often if I have crossed that line of wanting it more for me than for my son. I have to admit that sometimes it is difficult to tell. I know my son loves the game and loves to play. Does he understand the rewards that the game can bring him? I wasn't pushed as a young man and I ended up taking the easy way out. I went to work instead of going to college. It was not a bad thing but as I grew older I knew it wasn't the right thing. By then I felt I was locked in, there were bills to pay and I had so much time invested in my job. I am doing fine now, I live comfortably, my family is taken care of. What do I think about, I think back and wonder what I could of done if I was pushed a bit harder. I don't blame anyone, the choices were mine to make. I don't want my son to look back on his life and wish he would have been pushed harder. He is a good basball player and I will continue to push him as long as that is what he says he wants to do. I hope he will forgive the times I push too much and someday be grateful that I was there to push him when he needed it. And if some day I am letting you all know that he just signed with a major league team I hope you will all feel my joy. If he doesn't I hope he feels that he gave it his all and has no regrets.
Sorry this is so long.
Boy, does this question get you thinking or what. I ask myself often if I have crossed that line of wanting it more for me than for my son. I have to admit that sometimes it is difficult to tell. I know my son loves the game and loves to play. Does he understand the rewards that the game can bring him? I wasn't pushed as a young man and I ended up taking the easy way out. I went to work instead of going to college. It was not a bad thing but as I grew older I knew it wasn't the right thing. By then I felt I was locked in, there were bills to pay and I had so much time invested in my job. I am doing fine now, I live comfortably, my family is taken care of. What do I think about, I think back and wonder what I could of done if I was pushed a bit harder. I don't blame anyone, the choices were mine to make. I don't want my son to look back on his life and wish he would have been pushed harder. He is a good basball player and I will continue to push him as long as that is what he says he wants to do. I hope he will forgive the times I push too much and someday be grateful that I was there to push him when he needed it. And if some day I am letting you all know that he just signed with a major league team I hope you will all feel my joy. If he doesn't I hope he feels that he gave it his all and has no regrets.
Sorry this is so long.
Ant09Dad,
I'm not sure of your age but I think some of the things that I was pushed to do was getting my hair cut, doing homework, HS job, babysitting my younger brother and sisters, being polite, and respecting my elders. Baseball was a summer activity and most of it was done with a phone calls through the neighborhood. I do remember my parents talking about the simple life when they were kids and now I'm saying the same. Yuck......I've finally realized I've become one of THEM.
quote:What do I think about, I think back and wonder what I could of done if I was pushed a bit harder.
I'm not sure of your age but I think some of the things that I was pushed to do was getting my hair cut, doing homework, HS job, babysitting my younger brother and sisters, being polite, and respecting my elders. Baseball was a summer activity and most of it was done with a phone calls through the neighborhood. I do remember my parents talking about the simple life when they were kids and now I'm saying the same. Yuck......I've finally realized I've become one of THEM.
sluggo,
Are you sure the title isn't "Forever cliches"?
Always got a laugh out of that one. Stewart must have laughed all the way to the bank.
Are you sure the title isn't "Forever cliches"?
Always got a laugh out of that one. Stewart must have laughed all the way to the bank.
Yeah, it is a little on the sappy side. It is a mom's perogative, a dad couldn't get away with it.
Baseball does keep you young tho. Men playing a child's game.
Oops, another cliche!
Baseball does keep you young tho. Men playing a child's game.
Oops, another cliche!