Freddie, thanks for sharing your experience. It really helps to hear other's experiences.
Son (2012) center fielder is now 14 weeks post-surgery and has started throwing and hitting rehab. No pain,but looks like fear is affecting mechanics (especially hitting). Will continue with PT and strength training and see where we are. Hoping to be back fully by the time district play begins in March.
Today I caught bullpens for the first time since the middle of May and it was noticeable. The usual comfort I have just wasn't there, but again it has been a while and I can't expect to jump right back into game shape. Tomorrow I get the opportunity to take part in practice, hitting and defensively with limited to no throwing. I'm very anxious to see how it will end up. I'm struggling with the concept of not being able to go out and perform like I usually I do. It also doesn't help that I am competing for an opportunity to play sometime this year. It sucks that working back from an injury is during my freshman year and I've already missed so much of it. I guess I need to be patient and focus on the things I can control, my effort and attitude.
I needed a place to vent a little bit. The hardest thing for me lately has been working on my throwing program and working on my swing. It's really hard to keep on working while not being able to see any direct results besides a hard hit ball off of the tee. The thing I compare it to is continuously doing conditioning without being able to see the results in the late innings of a game. It's a struggle that only makes the long days of a freshman college baseball season even harder than it already is, and the only thing you can do is pick your head up and keep grinding.
This is not the update I wanted to provide. I can say that my son is probably at the lowest point in this whole process. As I mentioned before her had his 1st setback in late December. He finished the 90’ ITP with no problem. The 1st time he attempted 120’ he couldn’t get through it. He was able to get into see his surgeon the day before he headed back to school. He advised that everything looked good structurally. They had him go back to therapy to work on strength. He worked back through the 90” phase with no issues. Last night he tried 120’ again and could not get through the 2nd set before he felt pain in the front and back of his shoulder.
Obviously this is has taken an emotional toll on him and me both. The hardest thing to deal with is the self doubt that is setting in. He is 7 months and 1 week post surgery. I spoke with his PT who is working with him at school this morning and he advised that he appears to have the strength but that his stamina may be the thing that is keeping him form progressing. He is going to meet with my son today and then speak with his surgeon.
As parent the thing I am struggling with is that he is 1500 miles away, He is working as hard as he can and I am concerned about the level of stress the kid must be going through maintaining a 3.5 GPA, attending practice, going to PT and doing everything he needs to do to get back.
Another issue is that he has been hitting the ball really well. So much so that he made the travel squad even though he can’t play defense. I imagine the extreme high he is getting from being successful and then the low of not progressing with his throwing program is very difficult to deal with.
This is such an emotional roller coaster that he as player and me as a parent was not prepared for.
Obviously this is has taken an emotional toll on him and me both. The hardest thing to deal with is the self doubt that is setting in. He is 7 months and 1 week post surgery. I spoke with his PT who is working with him at school this morning and he advised that he appears to have the strength but that his stamina may be the thing that is keeping him form progressing. He is going to meet with my son today and then speak with his surgeon.
As parent the thing I am struggling with is that he is 1500 miles away, He is working as hard as he can and I am concerned about the level of stress the kid must be going through maintaining a 3.5 GPA, attending practice, going to PT and doing everything he needs to do to get back.
Another issue is that he has been hitting the ball really well. So much so that he made the travel squad even though he can’t play defense. I imagine the extreme high he is getting from being successful and then the low of not progressing with his throwing program is very difficult to deal with.
This is such an emotional roller coaster that he as player and me as a parent was not prepared for.
Been a long time since I've visited the message board.
Wanted to provide an update. Unfortunately it probably isn't the update player who are going through this want to hear.
Since the last update almost a year ago. My son made the travel roster, even though he wasn't able to play defense. He got 6 at bats the whole season. He spent most of the games charting pitches and warming up pitcher sin the bullpen.
He had numerous set backs with his throwing program at the 120, 150, and 180 foot stages. He completed the program pain mostly pain free in May, which was 10 months post surgery. He came home and played summer ball. He played pretty well but his throws to down to second didn't have a lot on them. Midway through summer ball he became frustrated. At that point he decided he was just gonna let it loose and play as long as he could.
The last game of summer ball he hurt the shoulder again. He gave it some rest before going back to school for fall ball.
He had a couple good weeks and then the pain started again. At that point he hung it up. He couldn't remember the last time he felt 100% on a baseball field.
He worked so hard and was dedicated to getting the best physical shape of his life. He probably could have kept playing as a 1st baseman or DH. But he was always more a defensive catcher and wasn't going to be a prototypical 1B or DH.
He still part of the program as student assistant and is able to keep his scholarship. He has great relationship with his coach and is getting great experience as he wants to get into coaching.
I don't know what he could have done differently. Its been a coupe months since he hung it up and he seems very happy and is really enjoying the college experience.
He has taken up golf, which I explained can more you look more foolish than a hard slider or good change up.
Wanted to provide an update. Unfortunately it probably isn't the update player who are going through this want to hear.
Since the last update almost a year ago. My son made the travel roster, even though he wasn't able to play defense. He got 6 at bats the whole season. He spent most of the games charting pitches and warming up pitcher sin the bullpen.
He had numerous set backs with his throwing program at the 120, 150, and 180 foot stages. He completed the program pain mostly pain free in May, which was 10 months post surgery. He came home and played summer ball. He played pretty well but his throws to down to second didn't have a lot on them. Midway through summer ball he became frustrated. At that point he decided he was just gonna let it loose and play as long as he could.
The last game of summer ball he hurt the shoulder again. He gave it some rest before going back to school for fall ball.
He had a couple good weeks and then the pain started again. At that point he hung it up. He couldn't remember the last time he felt 100% on a baseball field.
He worked so hard and was dedicated to getting the best physical shape of his life. He probably could have kept playing as a 1st baseman or DH. But he was always more a defensive catcher and wasn't going to be a prototypical 1B or DH.
He still part of the program as student assistant and is able to keep his scholarship. He has great relationship with his coach and is getting great experience as he wants to get into coaching.
I don't know what he could have done differently. Its been a coupe months since he hung it up and he seems very happy and is really enjoying the college experience.
He has taken up golf, which I explained can more you look more foolish than a hard slider or good change up.
quote:Originally posted by jsingerjj:
I don't know what he could have done differently. Its been a coupe months since he hung it up and he seems very happy and is really enjoying the college experience.
There is life after baseball, he will get used to it and so will you.
Best of luck to your son.
Thank you to you and your son for your honest posts. It is easy to post when things are going well, but a sign of generosity when you take the time to share the struggles.
Best of luck to your son. I bet you will enjoy watching him coach.
Best of luck to your son. I bet you will enjoy watching him coach.
I am with twotex on this, it's easy to come here and brag a bit, or complain when your player isn't getting the playing time a parent feels he deserves.
Your posts have provided valuable insight into the other side of this game, injury.
Your posts have provided valuable insight into the other side of this game, injury.
Thanks for the comments.
One thing I truly thankful is that his college coach has been great. Last year when he was going through rehab, His cosch met with him one on one almost weekly. he called me about once a month.
The conversation about hanging it up went very well and he is doing everything to keep my son part of the program and seems to taken an interest in helping him develop as coach.
My biggest advice to kids, is to really pick a college with the idea that of you have stop playing, is it place they can continue to get their education and be happy doing so.
One thing I truly thankful is that his college coach has been great. Last year when he was going through rehab, His cosch met with him one on one almost weekly. he called me about once a month.
The conversation about hanging it up went very well and he is doing everything to keep my son part of the program and seems to taken an interest in helping him develop as coach.
My biggest advice to kids, is to really pick a college with the idea that of you have stop playing, is it place they can continue to get their education and be happy doing so.
As others have mentioned before. Thank you for posting your son's progress, both the good and sometimes difficult days. As a Dad who has a 15 year old with the same prognosis, I echo pretty much everything you said in your earlier posts. I'm not sure I'm ready to undertake what's ahead for my son, but choosing not to do the surgery would basically mean hanging them up in his sophomore year of High School. Your son is an amazing person. Simply going through the process in the manner he did shows the courage and dedication he has. He will be a success even though it may not be on the diamond as a player. Thanks again....
Hello,
Thank you for sharing your son's story. My son (baseball player) had posterior labrum tear surgery on 9/17/13, with 4 anchors. It's very helpful to get advice from others who have been through it. I appreciate you sharing the ups and downs along your journey. I wish your story had a different ending, but hopefully your son is happy at college.
Sue
Susie E,
Every once in a while I come back to read through what I went through while recovering from this injury and I am very thankful that my dad put this up here for him and I to add to. Your post caught my eye because of the mention of a different ending. For a while I was under the same thought process you are but now more than a year removed from my decision I could not be more thankful for what happened. I've spent the last year as a student assistant for an NAIA school who has given me the ability and opportunities to chase my new dream of making a career out of coaching. I also spent this past summer coaching for a top high school scout team out of Arizona. Most of all I am happy with where the game of baseball has taken me and although I still have dull pain in my shoulder multiple times a week, I am able to enjoy and grow in the game of baseball without the fear of having to make that next throw.
In the end it isn't about whether my baseball career followed the path I wanted, it's more about whether it is following I path that puts a smile on my face. And at least for now that has never been more fitting than it is today.
Junior, I am so glad that you view everything as a happy outcome, and you are still able to enjoy the greatest game on earth, jut just from a different perspective. I love optimism. Good luck with your career =)