OFF TO SCHOOL

CoachM,

Once the sting of him being gone lessens - I am sure you will have a great time following his experiences this fall and spring.

Please wish Joe my best - and tell him to rock it!!!

Dear Coach Merc,...LOTS of that going on over at the Ladies Only Lounge,....its definately THAT time of year again! Kleenex? We spend so much time hoping our kids get over every first hurdle,..potty training, riding a bike, first day of highschool,..and then poof,..there they go,..and it all seemed to happen in a flash didnt it?
The ladies have chicken dumplings,..mood music, smoothies, chocolate cake and much more over there if ya wanna sneak in!

quote:

I've spoke to him 3x today I had to find out about that first team meeting...

Coach Merc - I know where you are coming from. Everything is exciting and I still find myself looking forward to hearing about meetings and any baseball stuff for that matter. Soon you will be hearing about pro day, running, lifting, individual workouts, and intrasquad scrimmages. Exciting times indeed and all the best to your son this year

We'll look for Merc when he gets to Cajun country in March, I think. IU is on the scheule. Best of luck!

Merc - congrats - we're in the same phase - daughter has first field hockey practice today at Susquehanna U and Junior checks in on Thursday - the Nest is now empty. Good luck

PS - missed you in Cooperstown this weekend - the World Yacht Clippers can still hit the ball aton!!!

WI websters officially welcome Lil' Merc to the Midwest.

Thanks all.... I got the call last night about the first meeting and getting fitted for hats, helmets, gear, uniforms, etc. etc. Now the first full team meeting later today....

Windmill, I missed the trip as we were in Champaign but my younger son was there and he played SS for both teams the 18's and 16's. he's a true 15. 09'. He said it was a great time and as usual, very good games with a lot of runs scored.

Dad 04, I believe the opening weekend for the Illini will be at the Cajun's home Feb 24.... I'm going to have to try and make that one.

Rz1, thanks for the welcome and continued good luck with the rehab....

Coach Merc,

Great to see Joe's out there and ready to go with the team. Our family sends its best to him and to your family. Michael's negotiating with one of the assistants on the staff to try and get number 15 before the meeting tonight. We'll be watching Joe and fully expect him to have nothing but success.

Take Care,

MJMSr.

Hi Mike,
tell Michael I'll be following closely.
Joe was going through the number thing last night....His number will not be available for 2 years and his second choice for another. 3rd choice is a retired so I just laughed with him....Stay in touch

Three times in one day?

I guess it must be harder for the dads in a way than moms, as many have coached their sons and now watch them go off to school, now know they will most likely have others try to break down and analyze everything you have taught him and now having new mentors. No more hanging out at the field, no more catch, etc.

So, I ask the dads, how do you deal with that?

Us moms are just dealing with the thoughts of dirty laundry and them starving to death because they can't cook and meeting girls at the local walmart.

It's obvious we all will worry, but worry in different ways. Mom ways and dad ways.

Best of luck to Joe and to all of everyone's college aged children off for the first time or just off again!

TPM,

One of my son's challenges after getting a number will be having to face your son in the spring. I'm also concerned with that more than if he wears a shirt on consecutive days...LOL

From time to time members will post "Let's Chat" messages - I think we might have to schedule a few "Let's Cry" sessions in the next couple of weeks!

I thought I was ready for this - 04 returning for his 3rd year of college in one week, not too big of a deal, 06 leaving a week later for freshman year, making our nest empty. But then I learned that our almost-third-child (not ours, but older son's long time girlfriend who has become a part of our family) will also head off to an out of town college in about a week. Now I am really starting to feel lonely!

quote:

Originally posted by Baseballdad1228:
TPM,

One of my son's challenges after getting a number will be having to face your son in the spring. I'm also concerned with that more than if he wears a shirt on consecutive days...LOL

LOL...but Wake will want sweet revenge after last year!
Funny number story, son got to school, wanted 23, no way, wanted 8 no way had to settle for 47 (pitchers get higher numbers). This year he was thinking of asking for a change, no way, Dad has spent a fortune putting #47 on everything!

Merc,
He is a good kid and will do great there. I am glad that I got to meet him and see him play. He plays the game the right way and I wish him luck. I have already bookmarked his school's website so I can follow his progress.

TPM,

I wore 15, Michael wears 15, my daughter wears 15, My 13 year old wears 15, my eight year old wears 15, I had a dog named 15, I play 15 as a number in the lottery. We are a Thurman Munson family.

Now he'll get No. 53 or something. Then I'll start playing that in the lottery and name a dog Fifty Three!

Baseballdad1228,
I was in a similar situation. I wore #23 from hs through college playing abseball and football. Son took it from there in baseball and basketball. When he made the HS varsity and was playing for me, I handed him #23 and began wearing #32.

Well it became official today, he will be wearing #32 for the ILLINI.

TPM, as soon as I got word I started ordering some of the #32 items that I could ....

Coach Trombly,
Thank You and hopefully we'll cross paths again.

Bbd1228,
53 or 5X3=15
It's a streach, but if it work's for you?? EH

Well, you all will soon learn they lose their identity to a number! Go 1 5, woo hoo 3 2!

Mine wore 23 from 8-14, then 8 in HS. He got excited when he heard 23 was available.

No way how can you think of switching when your dad has a closetful of shirts and hats with 47 on them! Our players get to keep their home jerseys with the CWS patch for life with their name number on it, plus at CU, pitchers get higher numbers. So #47 it stays!

Isn't it funny how the little things (getting their numbers) makes our day! I miss the freshman days, daily reports on everything, we don't get them anymore.

quote:

LOL...but Wake will want sweet revenge after last year!

How True TPM....
Have you heard anyting about the 07 schedule yet??? and what weekend Clemson comes to Winston Salem???

BBD 1228
I'm sure you checked the roster before signing the NLI and knew 15 was available.

I didn't even consider that, because Allan's favorite number growing up was 8... but both HS and college coach has that number so 10 became the choice.... But its been treating him well... LOL

SDBB,
I'll let you know if I see the schedule soon.

The day DK pitched to Chatham we had to leave, missing the game. I was sorry didn't get a chance to see your player.
He had a great season and next year will be even better! Hope he enjoyed his experience!

Allan enjoyed the Cape. Learned a few things and played against most of the best amatuers in the country. He even has a few new friends from UNC... (just don't tell the wake coaches and fans... )

Marshall's got 15. Mike needs to make a deal or find another number.

I won't tell on Allan with the UNC friend thing...

MJM

Baseballdad or SDBB,
what's the word with the assistant coach leaving at the last minute? Where's he heading?Chris was a good guy during the early process..

Coach Merc... I'll PM you....

BBD

I forgot about checking that... but Marshall, should be ecstatic to keep Mike happy... He is the Catching coach after all. You should of had the number as part of the schollie offer..... LOL