OK, the high school season is over, so I'll report on my son Jeff's season.
His team lost in the 2nd round of the playoffs to the #1 ranked team in the state, who plays Saturday for the title.
He had a good year. He was the only sophomore to start, and caught every game this season except for one when he was sick. At the plate, he started a bit slowly, but batted exactly .500 in the last half of the season to finish the year at .348.
One of his best attributes is how disciplined he is at the plate. He knows the zone and doesn't swing at much outside of it. On the year, in 61 plate appearences in league and playoff games, he had 15 walks and struck out twice.
That made his on base percentage .508.
Now onto summer ball!
Coach May,
Fantastic - again!
My congratulations to Jeff and you for yet another great season!!!
I hope to see you some time this summer!
Regards
Fantastic - again!
My congratulations to Jeff and you for yet another great season!!!
I hope to see you some time this summer!
Regards
Plate discipline is a beautiful thing! ...and it ain't so much how you start, its how you finish that counts. Congrats Jeff!
Thanks gamer and congrats to you and your son as well. I really hope we finally get the chance to meet this summer. I can not wait to see your younger son play again. Rob congrats on Jeffs season. Plate discipline is critical and it sounds like he has it. I hope you guys have a great summer.
Congrats to all.... Coach may, 100/100 and he's only a junior!! That's some dynamite numbers. Enjoy every minute...
Hey guys,
Just an update on Nathaniel's first season playing on his school district's team. There team didn't do that well, going only 3 and 12 for the season. Two of their three wins came with him on the mound and pitching complete games (he only made two starts). His teammates took a real liking to him and he really enjoyed being on the team. He was made to feel so comfortable socially that he even decided to ride the bus home from an away game (something he'd never been able to do before due to his social apprehensiveness). He had a good time on the bus trip home. His mom and I are very proud. Things are really looking up right now.
Check out Nathaniel's latest article at the following link if you're intersted in learning more about our special player. Thanks.
http://specialkidstoday.com/articles/4824.php?wcat=297
Kind Regards to all,
Strike
Just an update on Nathaniel's first season playing on his school district's team. There team didn't do that well, going only 3 and 12 for the season. Two of their three wins came with him on the mound and pitching complete games (he only made two starts). His teammates took a real liking to him and he really enjoyed being on the team. He was made to feel so comfortable socially that he even decided to ride the bus home from an away game (something he'd never been able to do before due to his social apprehensiveness). He had a good time on the bus trip home. His mom and I are very proud. Things are really looking up right now.
Check out Nathaniel's latest article at the following link if you're intersted in learning more about our special player. Thanks.
http://specialkidstoday.com/articles/4824.php?wcat=297
Kind Regards to all,
Strike
strike123,
That is the best story I have read in this thread. Thanks for the post and the link. It brightened my day.
Bravo, Nathaniel!
That is the best story I have read in this thread. Thanks for the post and the link. It brightened my day.
Bravo, Nathaniel!
I agree with infidel_08--Bravo!!!!!
What a truly uplifting story. Thanks so much for sharing it with all of us strike123.
Judging by the behavior of Nathaniel's teammates it is reasonable to assume that Nathaniel has been a good influence on all of them.
It is an important lesson in life to learn how to be accepting and even compassionate towards others who may not outwardly seem as fortunate as yourself.
That this lesson is being learned by Nathaniel's teammates at a young and formative time in their lives is testimony to Nathaniel's positive influence on each of them. And let's thank the game of baseball for providing the forum and climate for this valuable lesson to be learned.
As Nathaniel's parents you should be very proud of your son...he is providing to others far more than you could even imagine. And that is the result of some very good parenting along with loving and caring siblings.
Please keep us informed of Nathaniel's progress along with the progress of his very supportive brothers and sisters.
The Donchs are clearly winners.
Judging by the behavior of Nathaniel's teammates it is reasonable to assume that Nathaniel has been a good influence on all of them.
It is an important lesson in life to learn how to be accepting and even compassionate towards others who may not outwardly seem as fortunate as yourself.
That this lesson is being learned by Nathaniel's teammates at a young and formative time in their lives is testimony to Nathaniel's positive influence on each of them. And let's thank the game of baseball for providing the forum and climate for this valuable lesson to be learned.
As Nathaniel's parents you should be very proud of your son...he is providing to others far more than you could even imagine. And that is the result of some very good parenting along with loving and caring siblings.
Please keep us informed of Nathaniel's progress along with the progress of his very supportive brothers and sisters.
The Donchs are clearly winners.
quote:Originally posted by gotwood4sale:
That this lesson is being learned by Nathaniel's teammates at a young and formative time in their lives is testimony to Nathaniel's positive influence on each of them. And let's thank the game of baseball for providing the forum and climate for this valuable lesson to be learned.
Yes, gotwood4sale, I agree that its been an important experience for everyone involved. Nate's mom mentioned to me that one of his teammates, a certain kid who used to pick on him quite a bit in school, even approached Nate and apologized for the way he'd acted toward him, stating that he never would've done it if he knew about his autism. Just being made aware makes a big difference in how kids, and people in general, think and feel.
With regard to the game of baseball, I don't know where he would be without it. It's been the the stage for most of his positive social experiences and made him an integral part of the community, giving him many opportunities to learn how to be around others. It's been very, very good to him and I can only hope this trend continues.
I appreciate all of your comments. Thanks.
Strike
Strike,
That was a great read. Thanks so much for sharing the good news about Nathaniel, and I'm going to share that piece with folks in the ABQ autism community. I'll keep hope and pray for continued success for Nathaniel and his family too- it sounds like he has a great one. Keep the updates coming!
That was a great read. Thanks so much for sharing the good news about Nathaniel, and I'm going to share that piece with folks in the ABQ autism community. I'll keep hope and pray for continued success for Nathaniel and his family too- it sounds like he has a great one. Keep the updates coming!
It’s been awhile since Spizzle raised his left arm in anger, but after a long redshirt campaign I can finally say that he has climbed back up on the hill and thrown for the first time in a real summer league game. It was mostly a nasty mix of anxiety and rust; the results definitely reflect that. In 5 IP he allowed 1ER on 2 hits, with 8Ks and 6 (!!!) walks. Three of the walks came in the first and the run scored on a walk. He’ll be the first one to credit the Hawai’i coaches for helping him discover an extra 5mph, but it’s up to him to figure out how to use it. Next time out he should let some of the batters get themselves out maybe? 
Hey spizzlepop - That sounds like a pretty good 1st outing to me. Plenty to build upon from that!
That's excellent news! Congratulations on getting right back in there.
Oh those Hawaiian guys with their Windward and Leeward rigamarole. The wind is always blowing on the islands so it's really no mystery to find an extra 5 mph...just pitch with the wind at your back! Maybe you can eke out a bit more than 5 mph up on the Nuuanu Pali pass!
quote:Originally posted by spizzlepop:
He’ll be the first one to credit the Hawai’i coaches for helping him discover an extra 5mph...
Oh those Hawaiian guys with their Windward and Leeward rigamarole. The wind is always blowing on the islands so it's really no mystery to find an extra 5 mph...just pitch with the wind at your back! Maybe you can eke out a bit more than 5 mph up on the Nuuanu Pali pass!
I'm going to brag a little bit on a young man that I've had the pleasure of meeting and am wishing great things for him as he starts college this fall.
The son of Playbaseball (and another certain poster) had to miss his senior HS season being out for almost a year with surgery had his first at bat recently after coming back from rehab. C. went 2/3 including a pop out the third time. That's pretty good for any batter... but especially one that hasn't touched a bat in a year!
Best of luck to the young man who will go play college ball in the fall!!
The son of Playbaseball (and another certain poster) had to miss his senior HS season being out for almost a year with surgery had his first at bat recently after coming back from rehab. C. went 2/3 including a pop out the third time. That's pretty good for any batter... but especially one that hasn't touched a bat in a year!
Best of luck to the young man who will go play college ball in the fall!!
Thanks for the update lafmom. I hope he used his protective batting gloves.
Welcome back to Playbaseball's son (and of course another certain poster's son too!).
Woody,
We certainly can't blame you for going a little batty yourself this past year.
Welcome back to Playbaseball's son (and of course another certain poster's son too!).
Woody,
We certainly can't blame you for going a little batty yourself this past year.
Whadya' think spizzlepop...should I go with this grout...it sets quick and firm, but does nothing for my split ends?
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.
.
.
.
Or shall I go with this one...it doesn't set as quick, but it does wonders with my split personality?
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Or shall I go with this one...it doesn't set as quick, but it does wonders with my split personality?
I'd go with a whole new shower Woody.
and finish it off with a new shower curtain, certain to keep even the most devilish of plumbers entertained.
and finish it off with a new shower curtain, certain to keep even the most devilish of plumbers entertained.
Oh those devilish plumbers!
That reminds me of this picture I snapped at the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters annual Pull the Plug parade in Chicago's loop last year. I asked this toddler sitting on his dad's shoulders watching the parade what he wanted to be when he grows up? Of course you can see that he is amply suited to be a plumber, but the kid said he wanted to be an Event Organizer and be a part of making wonderful parades happen. I told him.."Good choice, being a plumber isn't all it is cracked up to be."
That reminds me of this picture I snapped at the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters annual Pull the Plug parade in Chicago's loop last year. I asked this toddler sitting on his dad's shoulders watching the parade what he wanted to be when he grows up? Of course you can see that he is amply suited to be a plumber, but the kid said he wanted to be an Event Organizer and be a part of making wonderful parades happen. I told him.."Good choice, being a plumber isn't all it is cracked up to be."
You always crack me up, Woody.
After 4 tournaments this summer, my son has an even .500 BA and is .943 fielding at short.
Son just back from tournament in Omaha Nebraska. He hit .571 with one double 4 rbi's and scored 4 runs. Pitched 5 scoreless innings for a win. Team won the 16U under division. He went to 5 college word series games with me his dad. We both had a great time. A week with son that I will never forget.
Well! After my seventeen-year-old son spent one year and two months in physical therapy before and after two surgeries, one to repair a torn labrum and the other to repair cartilage in the wrist after being hit by a pitch which also broke two bones, I thought I was done with orthopedic doctors and physical therapists.
Nope. Just got the word that my almost twenty-year-old son will need to have Tommy John surgery. I am wondering if I should ask for a volume discount.
And the beat goes on and on and on and on...............
Nope. Just got the word that my almost twenty-year-old son will need to have Tommy John surgery. I am wondering if I should ask for a volume discount.
And the beat goes on and on and on and on...............
quote:Originally posted by play baseball:
Well! After my seventeen-year-old son spent one year and two months in physical therapy before and after two surgeries, one to repair a torn labrum and the other to repair cartilage in the wrist after being hit by a pitch which also broke two bones, I thought I was done with orthopedic doctors and physical therapists.
Nope. Just got the word that my almost twenty-year-old son will need to have Tommy John surgery. I am wondering if I should ask for a volume discount.
And the beat goes on and on and on and on...............
Darn the luck. I am really distressed by the news.
I can only pray that he will come out better, stronger, faster.
Thanks very much.
Thanks, too, for the update and info. Will respond soon...
Thanks, too, for the update and info. Will respond soon...
play baseball, I am truly sorry to read about your older son. While it can sometimes be a struggle to find a point of optimism, it certainly does appear that UCL repairs have a better and more predictable response than shoulder issues.
I am wishing the best for both of your sons to return 100%...and for you to be able to enjoy some peace of mind, including watching them play baseball again.
I am wishing the best for both of your sons to return 100%...and for you to be able to enjoy some peace of mind, including watching them play baseball again.
Play Baseball,
Sad to hear news of the setback.
It must seem at times like an endless process, but you know otherwise. Rehab is all about progress. When they stop progressing, they're usually much better.
The beat goes on, but it should get better too. Hopefully more danceable anyway.
As for those PTs, it seems like the only reason to see them is when something's broke. (except in my case, I married one ) I think a two-for-one deal is in order.
Best of luck to all of your children, and keep us posted.
Sad to hear news of the setback.
It must seem at times like an endless process, but you know otherwise. Rehab is all about progress. When they stop progressing, they're usually much better.
The beat goes on, but it should get better too. Hopefully more danceable anyway.
As for those PTs, it seems like the only reason to see them is when something's broke. (except in my case, I married one
) I think a two-for-one deal is in order. Best of luck to all of your children, and keep us posted.
play baseball, good luck to your older son on his tommy john surgery and recovery. Also, best wishes to your younger son to stay healthy after his year and a half of PT.
play baseball,
God Speed to your sons on their full recovery. You and Woody have been through a lot in the past year or so with this injury stuff. I hope this is the end of the setbacks and the beginning of something better. Please, please tell your sons to perservere and let them know they have friends here at HSBBW. I wish I could reach out over cyberspace and give them both a hug. Do it for me.
Please, kids, get well soon.
God Speed to your sons on their full recovery. You and Woody have been through a lot in the past year or so with this injury stuff. I hope this is the end of the setbacks and the beginning of something better. Please, please tell your sons to perservere and let them know they have friends here at HSBBW.
I wish I could reach out over cyberspace and give them both a hug. Do it for me.Please, kids, get well soon.
Great weekend for the MERC boys...
Mike was playing for the South Troy Dodgers in the Mickey Mantle WS. He finished the tournament 6-11 and accounted for 6 or his teams 12 hits as well as hitting a 3 run homer to put them up by 3 in the eighth inning of a tie game.
Joe has spent the summer catching for Glens Falls in the NYCBL. Last night they beat defending Champion Saratoga to advance to the NYCBL Chmapionship Series vs the Elmira Pioneers. He's had an awesome summer. Glens Fall is 38-8 going into today.
Great experiences for both boys.
For those interested, yes he has transfered to the Black Bears of U Maine.
Mike was playing for the South Troy Dodgers in the Mickey Mantle WS. He finished the tournament 6-11 and accounted for 6 or his teams 12 hits as well as hitting a 3 run homer to put them up by 3 in the eighth inning of a tie game.
Joe has spent the summer catching for Glens Falls in the NYCBL. Last night they beat defending Champion Saratoga to advance to the NYCBL Chmapionship Series vs the Elmira Pioneers. He's had an awesome summer. Glens Fall is 38-8 going into today.
Great experiences for both boys.
For those interested, yes he has transfered to the Black Bears of U Maine.
Sounds like a great summer for Joe. Best of luck in Maine!
Danny Menedez, my son's roommate this summer in N. Adams (NECBL)goes to Maine. He is a very nice young man
Ok, my bragging here. My son has been voted Most Outstanding Pro Prospect for the Cape Cod League this summer. He was also a first team All Big XII pitcher. My other son, a year and a half younger, threw a bullpen last week under the gun, and hit 95 mph 6 times!! I am very proud of these guys, they have been blessed with a lot of talent and have worked Extremely hard. (Along with Mom and Dad)! Hard work and determination through much hardship and disappointment has paid off for these guys.
baasenut
I saw your son throw on the cape this summer... very impressive... nice All-star inning...
Congrats....
I saw your son throw on the cape this summer... very impressive... nice All-star inning...
Congrats....
quote:Originally posted by basenut:
Ok, my bragging here. My son has been voted Most Outstanding Pro Prospect for the Cape Cod League this summer. He was also a first team All Big XII pitcher. My other son, a year and a half younger, threw a bullpen last week under the gun, and hit 95 mph 6 times!! I am very proud of these guys, they have been blessed with a lot of talent and have worked Extremely hard. (Along with Mom and Dad)! Hard work and determination through much hardship and disappointment has paid off for these guys.
I've read about your son, way to go!
MY son, this is his screen name, hard hitter, just started his freshman year college on a Baseball scholly. In his first offical practice he hit one over the top of the left field light pole. If I remember correctly the Left fiel foul pole is 335'. I know it is just batiing practice, but that was quite a shot.
My son had a pretty nice first year of high school ball. He played on both the freshman and JV team. He was voted best pitcher by his freshman team. During the summer JV high school league he averaged over 2 strike outs per inning. There were a couple of small school varsity teams there too. In his last game of the summer high school league he had 9 K's in 4 innings, walking only 1 batter.
My son is Alex Wood and he plays for the South Charlotee Panthers and Ardrey Kell HS in Charlotte NC. He just threw a great game in Jupiter on opening day of the WWBA and we're very proud of him! Good luck to all!
Congrats on your sons performance at Jupiter. Now people know who he is outside of NC. Good luck this weekend and I look forward to seeing him pitch at the Impact Futures game at High Point College in a couple of weeks. You should be very proud of your son. He is a fine young man who competes.