Life Beyond Baseball

A lot depends of the level of play and the age of the player. As a player moves up through the higher “levels” of competition things do change. Baseball demands increase and the “focus” we used to talk when they were younger becomes a reality instead of just a buzzword. There are only so many hours in the day and once a player begins college and college baseball the options are drastically reduced simply because of time constraints. Friends, girlfriend, golf, music, movies, and fishing trip now and then seem to fill in the small voids. Professional baseball also leaves little time for “other favorites” especially during the playing season. Days off are a rare commodity and are usually used for nothing more than rest and relaxation. In my opinion if you’re dedicated to baseball, then it’s difficult to do real justice to another “favorite”. Some may call that shallow but other call it focused ---
Fungo

Guitar

Fly fishing with his dad

Lifting weights and working out--all to better himself for baseball. Honestly, there is no balance in our lives--it is ALL about baseball.

Bowhunting -- and he has the same accuracy with his shots as he does with his arm

The eldest - eating.

The youngest - talking.

Thanks, all for the input. Only started this post because I was reminiscing.. wondering who that kid would've been without baseball.

Fungo's right. Baseball takes a lot of time. You gotta love this game.

Competitive Swimming--his other "best sport". Excellent times. Still competes in winter with his club team and with his school team, but chose this year to concentrate on the diamond rather than the pool during HS. Swim coach is sad.

Another thing he really enjoys: Cooking! Especially baking treats.

Great question, Bum!

Sounds as if our boys might have fun together off the field as well as on the field - my son's second passion seems to be political/economic philosophy and argument/debate.

Just last night he checked out "The Road to Serfdom," for reading in his spare time. Not for a class or anything, just because I told him about Hayek.

For a dad who is a a tad into politics himself, it is a lot of fun to have him interested in this as well as baseball!

Rob, I remember in a previous discussion your son played for BBNW's '09 Oregon team. We were down at U of Portland for the championship game ('08's). I was really impressed with the city (except for the incredible traffic). By the way, love the blog! I found myself agreeing with all of it.. there is a lot of fiscal insanity out there.. I own a business and it seems sometimes government treats me as the enemy. Someone should tell them the best form of welfare is a job.

Bum you have a PM

I'd love to reply to this with debate, helping the less fortunate, donating time at a food bank, or something like that, but the honest answer is:



Play Station II

Rob, Great blog!

Fungo again hit it on the head with his age and level of play comment. Most everyone on this site would be lying if they didn't say there son's off field passion is baseball, workingout or what ever. However, everyone has a side show. In my sons case he's always used the "variety is the spice of life" theme, and I think many athletes, because of the "committment" issues do the same and that's why we always feel that their sport is the only thing they live for. The cool thing about variety is that you end up a "jack of all trades master of none" which is never boring and you are never at your wits end looking for something to entertain yourself with.

This site carries a variety of age groups. I've transformed from LL, to HS and now the last year in college ranks. I thought this was a good thread because as I thought back on my sons "pastimes" they have changed as fast as he has gotten older. Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought that cooking, which is directly related to his passion for eating, would be one of his "todays" pastimes. I think he he would go as far as having a cooking show on tv and call it "Making a mess with Ryan"

If you asked him what his pastimes are, he'd say studying. After HS, quality time to enjoy a "favorite" pastime is hard to find.

quote:

Play Station II

Hokie, I think that's a given -- like eating and breating .....

My son is a competitive sort outside of baseball and some of his activities involve playing for money. He is an excellent poker player. Loves to golf. Loves to go bass fishing and has caught some big ones at college. He was the three-time high school champion in table tennis (that's ping pong not beer pong ) and is the resident champion at his college. Since moving to college, he has learned how to surf. The funny thing with that activity was his 12 year old sister picked it up quicker than he did and she had a ball rubbing that in on him

ClvDad,

Anytime Tyler needs someone to hang out with have him give Ryan a call. That is the "variety is the spice of life" mentality I was talking about. Athletes thrive on a competitive challenge.

Son:
1. Sitting in a tree stand bowhunting
2. Playing football (this could be 1)
3. Letting me know he is getting his drivers license (7 months away-Wow)-when he was 10 he drove my wife's car through the back of the garage

Daughter:
1. Beating her brother at anything (especially grades)
2. Keeping me on my toes

rz1 - I am sure he would love to hook up with Ryan One thing I have started to notice is that the baseball universe begins to shrink and it is not unusual at all to cross paths. Will be seeing you this summer

The game of baseball should not define who you are as a person, but the lessons learned from the game of baseball will help to make you the person you want to be.

Just like most athletes my son's "extra curricular activities" include many that involve competition.