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28 replies

Son's final college game

hokieonehokieone5,000+ posts
I can now join the ranks of those whose sons have finished their baseball career. Very tough words to type as counting both sons, I've been involved with them and their baseball for the past 19 years, since the oldest started T ball. I didn't think it would be too hard but did find during his last game my throat somewhat constricted as it went on and I found my self remembering moments past, and trying to savor every second..while also snapping 200+ pictures (aren't digital cameras great?). My son told us later that night it was oddly sort of a relief-they'd played 11 pressurized games in 9 days, needed to win the last 5 to get a NCAA bid but fell short-but yesterday as he cleaned out his locker, it hit him a bit harder. I can relate to that.

Baseball is a great game and watching your son, from T ball through college, is simply a wonderful ride. All good things end sometime, and his last game wasn't as traumatic as dropping him off at college...but it wasn't too far behind. My wife and I have enjoyed every second, and through all those years, we figure we missed a total of 4 games since he entered high school, making 256 out of 260. (Self employment does have its advantages after all.) All that proves is that I have patient assistants, understanding clients, and a wonderful wife.

I've literally watched him grow from t-baller to a 4 year college starter, and at the same time, from a little boy into a man, soon to graduate, engaged to his 6 year high school sweetheart, and hopefully a nice job on the horizon.

The many wonderful friends made along the way alone make the journey worth the taking. I still get choked up thinking about Jeff Taylor. What a great guy he was. I still have text messages from him congratulating my son on a big day on my cell phone.

The next stage will have baseball in it as he will serve as director of player personnel for our new summer collegiate team. I look forward to making pleasant summers for other parents' "little boys", and to watching my guy learn the ropes on the administrative side. I recently recruited a local former player, now with a Masters in Sports Training, to be our first trainer. He was tickled to accept, saying "Great-it'll be a way to stay close to the game!"

Once hooked, I'm convinced we're always close to the game. It resides within our hearts, and as a part of every memory, beginning with T ball in Ninja Turtle shorts and staying there all the way through the end when our college guys, needing a shave and eye black a little moistened, exit the dugout for the last time.

Enjoy the ride folks! Smile
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G gotwood4sale10,000+ posts
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You got me to thinking hokieone. Our oldest son has one more year of eligibility remaining...although I'm really not sure on that.

He has not had a smooth ride through his collegiate career. He started out in an absolutely lousy program and followed that with Tommy John surgery. He is currently rehabbing after ACL reconstruction. His time on the field has been sporadic and cobbled together. I've only had the opportunity to see him play a few innings total. Sad.

Our younger son hung up his cleats after redshirting his freshman year in college. He just couldn't make college ball work following labrum surgery to correct an old baseball injury and the two wrist surgeries that were needed after being hit by a pitch on the inside of his wrist when he was in high school. Sad.

I guess we both need that tissue hokieone.

Congratulations to your son on a great career. Like us, you're looking forward to the next
portion of the trip. We're hoping the bus that our sons' are traveling on to their next destination doesn't breakdown so often or make all of those unscheduled stops.





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Last edited by gotwood4sale
jemazjemaz1,000+ posts
Congratulations, Jay, on a journey well-traveled with both of your sons. I can understand what you are feeling.

My youngest of three sons will play his last high school game in a few weeks and then see what he can do in college. It is indeed a time of reflection -- and counting the days until I can start over with my three-and-a-half year old grandson.

But what it really means is that we are all getting a lot older a lot faster than I would prefer.
Last edited by jemaz
rz1rz15,000+ posts
Great post hokieone

Many of us have watched the pages turn in the our kids baseball lives and while the level or involvement changes with each chapter the heros continue to grow and take on greater challenges.

After reading posts like hokieones I am even more convinced that baseball is a great catalyst that builds the souls of great and successful kids.

Hokieone- Congrats to your sons and also you and your wife for a job well done.
Last edited by rz1
floridafanfloridafan5,000+ posts
Thank you for sharing that Hokie,

I am fortunate that I have a few more years left, and I remember when I first found this site years ago I was told to "enjoy the ride". As each year passes and the opportunities to play at "the next level" grow smaller and smaller, I am reminded of the incredible wisdom contained in that simple phrase.

I am hopeful that my 2010 can find a home next fall, and I will savor each moment I can as my older son continues his journey.

L lafmom5,000+ posts
Hokie - That was a beautiful post and I can relate to your thoughts and feelings as many around here can. When my son chose to give up ball, it was certainly bittersweet and few are aware of the struggles and adjustments that I had to make emotionally. When something is a huge part of your life and that changes.... there is going to be a feeling of loss. At the same time it has afforded me (and him) opportunities that were never available before. That's the blessings.

I agree with you wholeheartedly. I think most of the young men that post here or that are kids of posters are much better off in every way because of their time on the baseball field.... regardless of when that ended.

Blessings to your son!! Smile
igballigball500+ posts
TR-

I bet you're a great guy and I know you do a lot for the kids in your program but I never read so many posts by one person who goes out his way so much to be disliked by so many.

The rough tough New England thing only goes so far. I'm from New York and when my high school senior finishes up his season this year I know I will be a mess (even though he will continue playing in college.) I don't think of that attitude as a weakness (that's the emotionally remote approach of our father's generation) or sentimental fluff but simply acknowledging an end of something important in our children's life.

No one is saying other things are not important too or that certainly way more other things are more important but it is what it is and there is no shame in it. I know when my youngest finishes up with his acting/ singing career in high school I will have a similar feeling.

I actually think TR you're better than this.
TRhitTRhit10,000+ posts
igball

I don't try to be dislike--I am what I am--I don't kiss a s s to be a friend or be liked--that is the trouble with this country today--nobody wants to be disliked and they are afraid of having feelings hurt

Did I ever ask anyone to like me ?--I do not think so !! I am not here to win a popularity contest--There are posters on here that I could say I don't like--you know why--because I do not know them and they have something to offer that helps my players---Amazing how you judge people --- you know nothing about most of the posters on here other than your interpretations of what they post-- hoe many have you spoken with personally, either in person or via phone--like or dislike them on your part you know nothing about the real person--too many of you have made the virtual world your real world and I think that is sad, very sad
hokieonehokieone5,000+ posts
TR, I paused and prayed for your friend. I will continue to do so.

A nice thing about this board is that we're not all alike so there are different perspectives given on all sorts of things. Your feelings are different on some subjects, and that's fine. But for me, and apparently a few others, the final game does put a lump in the throat. It doesn't make your stoic nature better or worse, just different. And that's fine.
itsrosyitsrosy1,000+ posts
hokieone, you're one of the very first posters to offer me support and suggestions as my son's career was just beginning. I thank you for reaching out to a new member.

Thank you also for sharing such a heartwarming glimpse into your family's baseball story and I, for one, wish you and your entire family good times.

As for the true humbug who thinks it's not manly to shed tears, even tears of joy, that's too bad.
Last edited by itsrosy
southpaw_dadsouthpaw_dad100+ posts
Hokieone -- Congratulations to your son on the great accomplishment of chasing his baseball dreams, and preparing for the next phase(s) of life. We're still a few laps behind you on the track. I know how proud we already are of what our guys has accomplished. I cannot imagine how proud you and the other members of our community whose sons are getting their launch in life must feel.

My most sincere wishes that your son will enjoy the best of success in all his eandeavors ... and that the lessons I am sure he has learned competing on the ball field will serve him well in his professional and personal life.

At our house, we're still in the looking forward phase ... but I find myself taking time to look back at the earlier years, reflecting fondly on the great times and shared experiences. Then -- like I believe TR was trying to say -- I go back to looking forward, and wondering what's waiting around the next corner.

Folks, I got to know TR last fall when SP_son played for him. I have had the opportunity t osit and chew the fat with TR many times. When I read his initial post, I understood what he was saying. I saw no reason to take offense. The way I read the post, TR was just saying that there is no need to mourn the ending of one chapter, because another chapter is about to begin ... and each chapter builds on the ones that have gone before.

In the next few weeks, a number of the members of our community, or your sons & daughters (we do have some softballers here) will be closing the chapter on their playing careers. Some will end with the end of their HS seasons, some will be ending as they "commence" from college into the real world. To all of you, I hope you have enjoyed the ride, that you will cherish the memories, and my most sincere best wishes that the next chapters are even more exciting and successful than those that have already been written.
G gotwood4sale10,000+ posts
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You are making TR's point southpaw_dad. And you made it very well. A personal relationship is quite different than a cyber relationship.

To know TR personally allows you to understand his posts. I've talked with TR recently and your assessment, in my opinion, is correct.

The little picture of a curmudgeon shown next to the dictionary definition does not show any tears, maybe a wry smile, but no tears.




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Last edited by gotwood4sale
Coach_MayCoach_May10,000+ posts
Hokie congrats to your son on a great baseball career. I know the last time I saw my oldest son play football I had a serious lump in my throat. In fact later that night I had to have some alone time to gather my thoughts. I thought back to the first time he ever played football. There were no football teams in our area outside of an inner city league. He wanted to play so bad. I took him to the first tryout. He was the only white guy on the team. We were the only white parents. It was a blast. He learned so much and had such a great time.

When I watched his last college game the entire game I was going back in time thinking about all the practices , all the games , all the good times and some of the bad. But in the end a tremendous amount of pride and love. Outwardly I am not a very emotional person. I tend to keep a lot of feelings inside and keep them to myself. And then I find some alone time and its all good. I dont know your son but I am proud of him. I am proud of him finishing the race he started so many years ago. And I know he will never have to look in that mirror and wonder what IF? He has the answer to the most important question an athlete can have. I KNOW!

Congrats man!
Coach WaltripCoach Waltrip100+ posts
Hokie,

That was a wonderful and touching post...

...regardless of those who may believe men should not show emotion....I think those who feel like this cheat themself out of being a human being...

And yes, I am not ashamed to say I have cried tears of joy...I treasure those memories that are genuine and come from the heart.

God bless...onward and upward!
Last edited by Coach Waltrip

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