Multiple Sports Or Not (times have changed)

Son has D2 football offers on the table, but two D3s have told him he's welcome to play football and baseball. One was in national playoffs. The other just missed. He loves both sports. If he can keep playing (and get his grades!!) I'm all for it. It's his decision. He's the one who has to do it, not me.

Does that mean he'll never be the best football or baseball player he could possibly be? Who knows.

quote:

Originally posted by Prime9:
If you chose the multi-sport route in high school, did you also play a college sport? If not, would you trade any of those high school letters or experiences to have had the opportunity to play college baseball? How would your son answer that now? How will he answer it 30 years from now?

While it appears to be a fair question, IMHO, the cliche of "hindsight is 20/20" and the statement "what if" seems to apply. We all could go through our lives and present alternatives for many situations, but "what it is, is what it is" and while we could change things mentally after the fact, reality always gets in the way.

There are two types of dreams, one is dreaming of the future and the other is dreaming about the past. One, you have some control of, the other are events that can't be un-done.

To give my conclusion - for what it's worth - there are only so many hours in a day. A person's body can only expend so much energy, and the intensity it takes to stay focused and give 110% can only last so long. Some people are wired to withstand the demands of playing multiple sports and be successful at it (attend school all day, practice basketball until 5:30 then go down to the ballfield until 8:00, homework until 10:00, etc), and still keep up their grades. If they can and want do that, if NOTHING else, it keeps these kids off the streets and involved in something worthwhile.

But I would guess that MOST teenagers are not up to that rigorous a schedule. For them, picking one sport might be the answer. And if so, they shouldn't be ridiculed or harassed about that decision. It may actually lead to a rewarding college career in sports while earning their degree, which should in turn give them a great start to a bright future.

I know two doctors who played professional baseball. One for the Rangers and the other for the Orioles. For most athletes, there is another life that begins after sports - even pros retire. What then?

So, for me and mine, we'll explain to him his options then let him decide whether he plays multiple sports or decides to focus on one. As long as that decision includes completing his education, we can support it.

gamedayrocks - very nice post. Welcome to the hsbbweb!

gamedayrocks:



Good post.And that is very true.

ClevelandDad and fanofgame,

Thank you very much...It's nice to be here!