Son says I will have to cut the cord

CD, I can totally understand your desire to see him as much as possible in college. My son and I went to a college this past weekend, we had to be there early to see the coach during BP. There were a handful of dads there enjoying watching their sons for 3 hours before the game.

I would do the same thing.

My wife and I (sometimes one and sometimes both) attended most every winter workout up until this year when he was able to drive himself. It was just short enough and far enough away that it wasn't worth going home again. Almost every parent of non-drivers (and even some parents who's kids could drive) did the same, so I wasn't worried about it.

But, never tryouts or practices. He's a junior this year and we've attended only one practice. It was in April of last year when my brother-in-law was able to get away from work for a day to visit the family, but had to head out before son would be done with practice. Worked out well as he got to see some of his nephew on the field and they got a couple of minutes to chat before he had to head out. Coach didn't have a problem with it - he and my brother-in-law spent about 5-10 minutes while the boys were running talking baseball.

CD - BTW, bro-in-law said he's looking forward to meeting your son! Kinda his job, but he knew immediately who I was talking about when I mentioned your son's name...

I understand not attending tryouts, but help out here trying to understand not attending practice.

Of course, you should keep your mouth shut and not make signals to little Johnny.

The only coach, out of all my flock of children, in all their sports, said parents couldn't watch his practice. He was/is a nutcase.

I watched a few random practices over the years, usually pre-season, or early in the season.

#22's dad,

Based upon the time of your posting and the number of replies, I would say that you hit a HUGE nerve across all of HSB. You got some great advice from people who've been there, and had to cut the cord themselves. Definitely easier said than done! ;-)

fenwaysouth

quote:

Originally posted by fillsfan:
CD, I can totally understand your desire to see him as much as possible in college. My son and I went to a college this past weekend, we had to be there early to see the coach during BP. There were a handful of dads there enjoying watching their sons for 3 hours before the game.

I would do the same thing.

Had my son played college ball, I would watch too. By this time, they're off on their own as adults and going there don't mean you're watching junior's every move and how the coach is treating him. I would see attending college practice the same way as going to a MLB game early to watch BP.

Everyday practice is not the same as pregame warm-ups

Fenway South

Yeah we as parents want to hold on as long as we can I guess...because one day the ride will be over. Like I tell the wife " Hey I got a lot of time and money invested in this kid".

quote:

Yeah we as parents want to hold on as long as we can I guess

That may be your problem. I watched the games and practices because I enjoyed them. I also go to watch other kids as well not just my son. I still do even though my son graduated and hung up his spikes.

quote:

That may be your problem. I watched the games and practices because I enjoyed them. I also go to watch other kids as well not just my son. I still do even though my son graduated and hung up his spikes.

I agree. I like to watch my son's games, and a rare practice or two, because I know some of the kids and it interests me. It's the same reason I went to watch 2 HS games this week (son was out of town) of schools I had no rooting interest in. Just like the ball park, a good baseball game, and watching kids show their skills.

I don't see a problem with parents attending practices as long as they don't interfere in the coach's teaching...I never cared who was there watching...it shouldn't make a hill of beans who is there watching a practice...

.

Would it matter if this guy...




...is watching from atop here?






.

quote:

Originally posted by Coach Waltrip:
I don't see a problem with parents attending practices as long as they don't interfere in the coach's teaching...I never cared who was there watching...it shouldn't make a hill of beans who is there watching a practice...

Totally agree. They will grow up fast enough and be gone. I guess if my son asked me not to go then I probably wouldn't, but he never has. His mom and I very rarely get to see him play in games so when we had a chance to go to a practice we did. Enjoy it while you can.

I'm with woody, a grassy knoll might work.

.

we're a couple of...






.

#22's Dad,

I hear ya. I just like to watch baseball too. It is like an addition. I've been watching my kids play for so long now that it has become a part of everyday life. The last two weekends, I've gone to college games to see a neighbors son (UVA) play and a family friend (Univ of Richmond) play against teams in the conference that my son will play in next year. I guess I'm looking forward to that time when my oldest son plays his first college game next year.

As part of the 12 step program, I guess you have to recognize you have a problem and admit it....yes, i have a baseball problem. I like to watch baseball games, especially college baseball games. ;-)

Forgive me Father Baseball for I have sinned. After all I've stated about staying away from practice I watched for two hours from the car through the trees. I couldn't stand it anymore! I need a fix bad, man! It was the first live baseball I've seen this year. They were rained out/poor field conditions of a scrimmage against another high school Tuesday.

My son was glad I was there for a ride after practice. He never knew I was there. He said he doesn't care as long as I don't walk through to the other side of the trees.

RJM,

I'll try to give you some more perspective. You're not nearly as bad as my former neighbor who is an avid hunter. He put a hunting tree stand in the woods (in full camoflague) with binoculors to watch his oldest son's HS tryouts. This is my favorite baseball story of all time, and shows the total desire of one man to go way beyond normalcy. This is by far the worst case of not being able to cut the cord that I've seen. I don't care who you are....that there is funny!

quote:

I very rarely get to see him play in games so when we had a chance to go to a practice we did. Enjoy it while you can.

Yea..I can definitely understand that. Not being able to catch a lot of my son's games, I would've liked to sat and watch practice if I was off because I didn't get to see enough baseball but I also understood that my son along with the other players
typically didn't have parents hanging at practices.

Fortunately, for me, other than freshman year, when he platooned, as many freshman did, paid his dues, he was a full time starter and was in the lineup most of the time so when I did make the games, he was playing.

It can be tougher for parents, who just enjoy watching baseball, who's kid don't play and practice is the only time these players see any kind of action.

Maybe a perspective from some parents here who's sons are bench players could shed some light on the subject but I don't think there's too many who post here who's kids weren't high school starters or key contributors at minimum.

quote:

Maybe a perspective from some parents here who's sons are bench players could shed some light on the subject

My daughter was a bench player the second half of freshman year on varsity. She was used as a courtesy runner for the pitcher or catcher. She was on base at least a couple of times a game. I was just happy she was on varsity. Watching JV ball was more brutal than watching her not play on varsity. She started the next three years. Also, freshman year I knew summer travel was on the horizon.