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A dreaded subject but one that should be re-visited from time to time.

My son is 2 1/2 years removed from tj surgery and is now throwing in the Yankee organization and holding his own. In the last two weeks I've learned from a fellow poster that his son just had some shoulder work done, a friends son who pitches HS broke his hand playing football, and another player I know blew out his knee during college fall practice.

This isn't intended to be the words of a wise man, just a parent who has "walked the walk" and came up with an opinion after reflecting on our experience and thinking about the kids and the parents in their present predicament.

From a first hand point of view, sometimes an injury makes a player stronger from within. Intestinal fortitude is a tool that is not taught, nor is it realized until you have to search for it. When a player starts to feel better after the injury he is going to have those down days where he thinks his dream has hit the wall. Mom/Dad may not be there to pick him up, he's going to see teammates passing him on the depth chart and feeling like a team outsider, he's going to be sore, some days not seeing any improvement maybe digression, and those are the times he's going to have to reach deep inside and kick himself in the rear, pick himself up and work even harder. This is easier said than done. To this day my son said his tj not only made him a "smarter" player, but also a better student and more "complete" individual. Not only did he come to grips that life was more than baseball, but he understood that baseball is a game of luck, good/bad breaks, and hard work. With an injury the luck and good breaks will temporarily be taken away and the hard work is what is left to work with. Those who dig deep and work hard will find that the game will return and if not, they will know that they did not cheat themselves with their effort. That in itself is a life lesson that will pay off in the future.

As rz1 falls off the soapbox
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Good post rz and a comment here coming from one whose son has had a setback since he has been drafted. Minor, but none the less a setback.
All that you say is true, injury recovery shows a players fortitude and forces him life lessons we cannot teach and a realization that there is more to life than baseball. You have to learn that there will be good and bad days, recovery for even minor stuff is slow, be patient.
My son's biggest realization was waking up one morning, looking in the mirror and realizing that this uncomfortable feeling was bigger than he could handle and that he wasn't going to make it if he didn't take care of business, which was his health. When you know something is wrong, whatever it is, speak up, make everyone listen to you, parents, coaches, trainers. Do what is best for YOU. That goes for everyone, no matter what level you play.
This is on a much smaller scale than previously mentioned here.

My son is a catcher (former 2nd baseman) and broke his wrist playing in a tournament his HS coach did not want him playing in this summer (he is now a Soph)

One of his tragic flaws was his 2nd baseman's release from behind the plate, that little shortarmer! He had a good percentage of throwouts but the varsity coach reminded him time and again, to get his arm slot right. (he was right)

Well after 8 weeks of "hanging out" he has seen the light and is working relentlessly at improving his throwing motion.

I am thinking (hoping) his injury may have given him the chance to rework his mechanics.

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