I liked cball story. Because I like to think that there's a mythical place where there are kids playing an unorganized pick-up bb game
This is such a sad thread, on many levels. So many of us have watched our sons' baseball dreams fade.......
My son's dream changed, too, the summer before his senior year in high school. He was rehabbing his shoulder and his doctor thought he was doing a nice thing by allowing my son to play ball that summer-- hitting only, no throwing. Oops--he got hit in the wrist----which not only broke both of his bones, but as it turned out, as he was rehabbing after the inevitable labrum surgery, he discovered that the cartilage in his wrist had torn----and he had surgery to repair it on the day of his high school try-outs of his senior year. I have posted this story before, and also that although he had played for the prior 3 years, his hs coach did not allow him to be on the team. Perhaps because a teammate was the one who hit him and took him out of the game.
He went to one high academic school---deans list, transferred because he was supposed to play ball there, but the pain in his wrist was too great---and therefore the pain being at the school was too great. Transferred to another school, again, dean's list, but that darned injury seemed to zap him of purpose.
A few weeks ago, to celebrate his 21st birthday, he did something that I'm sure he wouldn't have done if he was still playing baseball---he went sky-diving... And had a blast. He had a genuine smile on his face for the first time in a really long time. He now plans to get certified in sky-diving so he only has to pay like $15.00 to go up....but who knows where this certification will lead? All I know is that successful careers follow when you are happy doing something.....
My other son is still chasing the dream----2 1/2 years after he had Tommy John surgery in college, he was back at a different college---and then 2 weeks into last season, he tore his ACL and meniscus---had surgery to reconstruct it in March. Rehabbed all summer---but he had unusual pain; somewhere along the line, he had torn his meniscus AGAIN, only in a different spot---and had surgery to repair that just last month. This is his last season. Will he be able to live out the new dream---to actually PLAY in college and not be hurt? Who knows?
There are so many dreams that change and shift and fade and then you roll over and then you start dreaming something else.....Hands, everyone, who has never known pain or heart-ache in your life? That's what makes us strong..... What is that saying---You only know the beauty of a sunrise if you live in darkness? Or something like that.....
RJM, I don't need to wish your son success or good luck or anything....he already has it. But I do wish him a speedy recovery and all the best--with hopes that he finds a new dream that he can follow.
My son's dream changed, too, the summer before his senior year in high school. He was rehabbing his shoulder and his doctor thought he was doing a nice thing by allowing my son to play ball that summer-- hitting only, no throwing. Oops--he got hit in the wrist----which not only broke both of his bones, but as it turned out, as he was rehabbing after the inevitable labrum surgery, he discovered that the cartilage in his wrist had torn----and he had surgery to repair it on the day of his high school try-outs of his senior year. I have posted this story before, and also that although he had played for the prior 3 years, his hs coach did not allow him to be on the team. Perhaps because a teammate was the one who hit him and took him out of the game.
He went to one high academic school---deans list, transferred because he was supposed to play ball there, but the pain in his wrist was too great---and therefore the pain being at the school was too great. Transferred to another school, again, dean's list, but that darned injury seemed to zap him of purpose.
A few weeks ago, to celebrate his 21st birthday, he did something that I'm sure he wouldn't have done if he was still playing baseball---he went sky-diving... And had a blast. He had a genuine smile on his face for the first time in a really long time. He now plans to get certified in sky-diving so he only has to pay like $15.00 to go up....but who knows where this certification will lead? All I know is that successful careers follow when you are happy doing something.....
My other son is still chasing the dream----2 1/2 years after he had Tommy John surgery in college, he was back at a different college---and then 2 weeks into last season, he tore his ACL and meniscus---had surgery to reconstruct it in March. Rehabbed all summer---but he had unusual pain; somewhere along the line, he had torn his meniscus AGAIN, only in a different spot---and had surgery to repair that just last month. This is his last season. Will he be able to live out the new dream---to actually PLAY in college and not be hurt? Who knows?
There are so many dreams that change and shift and fade and then you roll over and then you start dreaming something else.....Hands, everyone, who has never known pain or heart-ache in your life? That's what makes us strong..... What is that saying---You only know the beauty of a sunrise if you live in darkness? Or something like that.....
RJM, I don't need to wish your son success or good luck or anything....he already has it. But I do wish him a speedy recovery and all the best--with hopes that he finds a new dream that he can follow.
deldad, That devotional is very nice. I have printed out for my own use. I do want you to know that I think about you and your family often... And Nick too.
I am glad you posted and I dont think you are pushing anything. It was a very appropriate reminder about perspective. I picked it up immediately.
My son will be taking the 6 hour drive home from school this week. Today I was telling him "slow, safe, distance, if you get tired... blah blah blah" I was met with a "REALLY? Mom, Seriously.. REALLY? " Because all I can think about is how quickly things can change, and have for many families.
We all just have to keep perspective.
PG - I am with you. I dont care if the stories are true or not. I love the message. Keep em' coming.
playbaseball - you have the most amazing avatar... I love Charlie Brown.
I am glad you posted and I dont think you are pushing anything. It was a very appropriate reminder about perspective. I picked it up immediately.
My son will be taking the 6 hour drive home from school this week. Today I was telling him "slow, safe, distance, if you get tired... blah blah blah" I was met with a "REALLY? Mom, Seriously.. REALLY? " Because all I can think about is how quickly things can change, and have for many families.
We all just have to keep perspective.
PG - I am with you. I dont care if the stories are true or not. I love the message. Keep em' coming.
playbaseball - you have the most amazing avatar... I love Charlie Brown.
Playbaseball has certainly put things into perspective for me.
I don't know anyone here whose kids (besides Woodie
) have suffered more injuries than yours have.
I don't know anyone here whose kids (besides Woodie
) have suffered more injuries than yours have.
Very emotional stuff on this last page 
jemaz - it's all good. Thanks for the clarification.
jemaz - it's all good. Thanks for the clarification.
A dream is not a thing or an object that can be destroyed. It can’t even be possessed. It may be borrowed for a time but then passed on……shared. That’s why the original post title feels somewhat offensive. The dream does not die, infatuations die. My father dreamed of playing professional baseball, he worked in a steel mill. I dreamed of playing professional baseball, I was a criminal investigator. My son dreams of playing professional baseball, he studies sports management because he will probably be seeking employment in a few years to pay the bills. The dream lives on. It is not however encased in a human body. Dreams are the fuel by which the improbable occurs. Nurture it, enjoy its company, share it and pass it on.
My nephew at age fourteen was visiting a friend’s house. They were both on the high school football team, one a freshman, the other a senior. The friend was recruited to play offensive line at Penn State University. His father, who was dying of cancer, was resting on the couch downstairs while they were in an upstairs bedroom admiring a shotgun grandpa had passed down. Neither my nephew nor his friend realized the gun was loaded. The gun went off. In an instant, my nephew was gone. His dream was to play high school football and share a sports moment with his idol. His friend’s dream was to have his father live long enough to see him play at Penn State. Neither of these happened. Dreams are not divine work orders. Nurture it, enjoy its company, share it and pass it on.
My nephew at age fourteen was visiting a friend’s house. They were both on the high school football team, one a freshman, the other a senior. The friend was recruited to play offensive line at Penn State University. His father, who was dying of cancer, was resting on the couch downstairs while they were in an upstairs bedroom admiring a shotgun grandpa had passed down. Neither my nephew nor his friend realized the gun was loaded. The gun went off. In an instant, my nephew was gone. His dream was to play high school football and share a sports moment with his idol. His friend’s dream was to have his father live long enough to see him play at Penn State. Neither of these happened. Dreams are not divine work orders. Nurture it, enjoy its company, share it and pass it on.
quote:Originally posted by play baseball:
This is such a sad thread, on many levels. So many of us have watched our sons baseball dreams fade.......
In 2006 my son had tj surgery. I was devastated as I thought that "dream" hit a fork in the road and was very concerned about how Ryan would deal with his unknown future. As parents we think we know it all when it comes to our kids but a month after surgery I found out PG may have had an insight into the minds players that a parent may not see. They could have interviewed a prospect, a coach, or any "feel good" story, but instead they spoke to an injured player and imho knowing full well that the baseball experience is part of the "steps of life" which happens in real time.
Mind Over Matter
Five minutes of reading eased a 10 years of worries. My point is that sometimes as parents we over think our kids lives and dreams which is our god given right but in the end we find out baseball may not be the end of the dream only a part of it.
Found out about a week ago that a travel teammate of son's killed himself.
Ambitions can always move forward - dreams never die.
Ambitions can always move forward - dreams never die.
quote:Originally posted by playfair:
deldad, That devotional is very nice. I have printed out for my own use. I do want you to know that I think about you and your family often... And Nick too.
I am glad you posted and I dont think you are pushing anything. It was a very appropriate reminder about perspective. I picked it up immediately.
Absolutley.
44
.
The kids handle this stuff a lot better than the parents. As long as your kid is happy and doing something he loves to do consider yourself one luck individual.
The “dream” has just begun for your son. From the prospective of two parents of a college pitcher who both work at two different colleges- one as a registrar (former academic advisor) and the other as a full professor known all over the U.S.(former athlete)
My son too could not play (pitch) the summer of his junior year nor his senior year. He had TJ surgery and a very long rehab. He threw 87 mph the summer of his sophomore year. He is a great student. D-1 written all over it or wherever he really wanted to go. He was now a “ghost” in the baseball world for over a year. I watched him spiral down in depression. I told him: It is not what I want for you, but what you want out of life and your career. I cut him a deal.
I will work as hard as I can to get you interest from colleges by being your recruiter if you will do all you can do to come back to the point God has planned for you in baseball; if you want to do that. DEAL. He could not try out for anyone. In 8 months there were 77 colleges in 11 states interested. He busted his butt in rehab because I was there to support HIS DREAM- not mine.
Then he had to red shirt late in his freshman year because he broke his ankle in a required PE class- here we go again. Life happens; he rehabbed again and got back on the mound, because he wanted to.
He turned down a D1 team and many more in search of a coach with his approach to life and baseball. He signed with a nationally ranked D-II but is now at a NAIA after the D II coach penalized him for being a pall bearer at his 20 year old friend’s funeral. Needless to say that is when the NAIA college came into focus. He played in the Prospect League last summer and has several options this summer.
It’s HIS LIFE and HIS DREAM and as a parent and college administrator, it’s the right thing to let your children grow up and make choices- right or wrong. College is all about the student, not the parents (and yes between the 2 sons we have paid well over $120,000). If our son and family got over two injuries then your son can too. But the one thing I know is … My son is happy and his dream is lived everyday- HIS WAY.
My son too could not play (pitch) the summer of his junior year nor his senior year. He had TJ surgery and a very long rehab. He threw 87 mph the summer of his sophomore year. He is a great student. D-1 written all over it or wherever he really wanted to go. He was now a “ghost” in the baseball world for over a year. I watched him spiral down in depression. I told him: It is not what I want for you, but what you want out of life and your career. I cut him a deal.
I will work as hard as I can to get you interest from colleges by being your recruiter if you will do all you can do to come back to the point God has planned for you in baseball; if you want to do that. DEAL. He could not try out for anyone. In 8 months there were 77 colleges in 11 states interested. He busted his butt in rehab because I was there to support HIS DREAM- not mine.
Then he had to red shirt late in his freshman year because he broke his ankle in a required PE class- here we go again. Life happens; he rehabbed again and got back on the mound, because he wanted to.
He turned down a D1 team and many more in search of a coach with his approach to life and baseball. He signed with a nationally ranked D-II but is now at a NAIA after the D II coach penalized him for being a pall bearer at his 20 year old friend’s funeral. Needless to say that is when the NAIA college came into focus. He played in the Prospect League last summer and has several options this summer.
It’s HIS LIFE and HIS DREAM and as a parent and college administrator, it’s the right thing to let your children grow up and make choices- right or wrong. College is all about the student, not the parents (and yes between the 2 sons we have paid well over $120,000). If our son and family got over two injuries then your son can too. But the one thing I know is … My son is happy and his dream is lived everyday- HIS WAY.
MSgrits - Great story! Congrats on raising an independent, motivated and talented young man.
quote:Originally posted by coach2709:
cball I'm glad you posted that because I love that story and I don't care if it's true or not. It's a story that shows people doing good things and we need more of it.
Now since you're obviously not a fan of these type of stories tell me the difference in the one you just posted and this link.
http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=991712
Maybe it's just me but I don't see a difference in them other than one's made up and the other is true. Both show that people can be kind and inspired to do good things for those who need it.
I don't know if that story about Shay is true or not.
Coach_May:
"I had big plans for my oldest sons life. I had it all planned out for him. He was going to go to this school and he was going to do this and that. It all ended when he showed up on my door step at 1am with all his belongings and said "It was your dream not mine."
You know Coach May that statement got me to thinking it's time I have talk with my son about his dreams. Thank you
"I had big plans for my oldest sons life. I had it all planned out for him. He was going to go to this school and he was going to do this and that. It all ended when he showed up on my door step at 1am with all his belongings and said "It was your dream not mine."
You know Coach May that statement got me to thinking it's time I have talk with my son about his dreams. Thank you
quote:Originally posted by cball:
Coach_May:
"I had big plans for my oldest sons life. I had it all planned out for him. He was going to go to this school and he was going to do this and that. It all ended when he showed up on my door step at 1am with all his belongings and said "It was your dream not mine."
You know Coach May that statement got me to thinking it's time I have talk with my son about his dreams. Thank you
That is a talk I had with my son before his Junior year in HS. I felt the same way when I saw a lack of motivation. He assured me that his dream was what I had hoped it was, made some changes on how he approached the game (ie, grew up a bit) and we worked on getting him to where he wanted to go, both in baseball and the type of school he wanted to attend. It has to be "his" dream, or it won't get accomplished.
When I first saw this post I followed it for a couple of days and I was really impressed with the empathy and show of support for RJM. I thought to myself how fortunate that he has this "baseball family" who understand what he's going through and want to help him. And now I've come back and see that the posts have taken a new direction. I understand where RJM is coming from and maybe he could have chosen his words a little more carefully. From the first day of high school, my son's wish was for baseball to open doors to academics that would most likely not be possible otherwise. He knew that the chance of MLB was slim as much as that still is the ultimate dream for him. Fortunately, my son was never injured and now as a college freshman he is fulfilling that wish. We will never know for sure if he would have gotten the opportunity he now has to attend an incredible school without baseball, but my guess is not. The key is getting through admissions with the baseball push. RJM's son could very well walk on once he's rehabbed as some posters have suggested, but he has to get admitted first. His plight is much more difficult now. Yes, there are plenty of good schools to choose from but in my son's case, being able to attend the school he's at now is like "winning the lottery." We never would have imagined four years ago that he would be there or even have considered the school. It was baseball that allowed it to happen. I understand RJM's dissapointment. His dream (and hopefully his son's) was for baseball to open up doors to an even greater education that would not have been possible,otherwise. I truly believe things happen for a reason and that another dream for RJM and his son will surface if they open up their minds to it.
I wish him and his son all the best.
I wish him and his son all the best.
If a kid has the ability to play in college and he really wants it he will play in college. If this injury is career ending then thats a shame. If it is not and he loves the game and wants to play in college then he will.
The fact is I have seen what kids have overcome to play in college. Injuries , academic issues , family issues , financial issues , the list goes on and on. The fact is it takes someone who wants it bad enough to do what he has to do to get it.
You play the game because you love the game. You dont play the game to open doors. You dont play the game to better your academic situation. What kind of player goes to a showcase and says "Boy I hope I impress the college coaches today because I really want to do good so I can get a scholley at _______ Univ because that will really open doors for me down the road."
First of all thats the last kid I want in my dugout. You play the game because you love the game. Everything else you get from the game is gravy. And if you never get that gravy so be it. You played the game you love to play and you went as far in the game as your ability would allow you to go.
Baseball is a passion. It is something that kids do because they love to do it. And the longer you play it the more passion for it you better have. Because its not eating out , theme parks , swimming pools and tourneys anymore. Its a freaking grind. Its tough hard work. And if you dont love it you won't be around very long at the college level. And if your only there to use the game you wont be using it very long it will use you up.
I played JUCO ball. I rode 12 hours one way to play games on a bus in the middle of nowhere with 20 people in the stands. On fields most of your kids would laugh at today. But everyone of us loved it. We loved the game. We had a passion for the game. And we never one minute thought that we were going to USE the game for anything other than to compete and play ball.
If education is your #1 priority and baseball is just something your going to use to better your education opportunity make sure you tell the coach that when your on your visit. Be up front with him. Let me know how that goes. Dont skin your knees when you slide. Dont lay out for anything. What a freaking joke. Baseball is a big deal to some people one day and then the next its not. I guess it just depends on how things are going.
Academics and getting a good education are very important. Why do some people want us to think you cant do both regardless of the college you attend? Networking through baseball! Wow. Love the concept. Give me a break. I resent this idea that JUCO's are for dummies that only care about playing ball and dont care about academics. I also resent this idea that those that choose a school because its the best baseball situation somehow dont care about academics. You can get a great degree at a D2 power house if you appy yourself in the classroom and actually learn. And you can walk away from a big time academic school with a degree and still be dumb as a rock. Its not where you are its what you do where you are.
There are some kids who have a passion for the game and nothing is going to stop them from chasing their dream. And that does not mean they have their priorities messed up. It means they know what is important to them and they are going to go for it. And they dont apologize for it. So be honest and just say its not important enough to overcome what you have to overcome to do it. Its ok its not for everyone. The dream didnt die. The conditions for the dream were not met. Those that have a dream to play in college a real dream to play in college have no conditions to meet. Any place , any time , any where.
Now this is just me. This is how I feel. And I understand others will feel differently. But thats ok. For those hard core baseball folks out there I didnt want you to think you were alone. I want ballers. Guys that eat it, sleep it, dream about it, then go out and leave skin on the field. And we aint tryin to use nothin. We are simply doing what we were born to do.
The fact is I have seen what kids have overcome to play in college. Injuries , academic issues , family issues , financial issues , the list goes on and on. The fact is it takes someone who wants it bad enough to do what he has to do to get it.
You play the game because you love the game. You dont play the game to open doors. You dont play the game to better your academic situation. What kind of player goes to a showcase and says "Boy I hope I impress the college coaches today because I really want to do good so I can get a scholley at _______ Univ because that will really open doors for me down the road."
First of all thats the last kid I want in my dugout. You play the game because you love the game. Everything else you get from the game is gravy. And if you never get that gravy so be it. You played the game you love to play and you went as far in the game as your ability would allow you to go.
Baseball is a passion. It is something that kids do because they love to do it. And the longer you play it the more passion for it you better have. Because its not eating out , theme parks , swimming pools and tourneys anymore. Its a freaking grind. Its tough hard work. And if you dont love it you won't be around very long at the college level. And if your only there to use the game you wont be using it very long it will use you up.
I played JUCO ball. I rode 12 hours one way to play games on a bus in the middle of nowhere with 20 people in the stands. On fields most of your kids would laugh at today. But everyone of us loved it. We loved the game. We had a passion for the game. And we never one minute thought that we were going to USE the game for anything other than to compete and play ball.
If education is your #1 priority and baseball is just something your going to use to better your education opportunity make sure you tell the coach that when your on your visit. Be up front with him. Let me know how that goes. Dont skin your knees when you slide. Dont lay out for anything. What a freaking joke. Baseball is a big deal to some people one day and then the next its not. I guess it just depends on how things are going.
Academics and getting a good education are very important. Why do some people want us to think you cant do both regardless of the college you attend? Networking through baseball! Wow. Love the concept. Give me a break. I resent this idea that JUCO's are for dummies that only care about playing ball and dont care about academics. I also resent this idea that those that choose a school because its the best baseball situation somehow dont care about academics. You can get a great degree at a D2 power house if you appy yourself in the classroom and actually learn. And you can walk away from a big time academic school with a degree and still be dumb as a rock. Its not where you are its what you do where you are.
There are some kids who have a passion for the game and nothing is going to stop them from chasing their dream. And that does not mean they have their priorities messed up. It means they know what is important to them and they are going to go for it. And they dont apologize for it. So be honest and just say its not important enough to overcome what you have to overcome to do it. Its ok its not for everyone. The dream didnt die. The conditions for the dream were not met. Those that have a dream to play in college a real dream to play in college have no conditions to meet. Any place , any time , any where.
Now this is just me. This is how I feel. And I understand others will feel differently. But thats ok. For those hard core baseball folks out there I didnt want you to think you were alone. I want ballers. Guys that eat it, sleep it, dream about it, then go out and leave skin on the field. And we aint tryin to use nothin. We are simply doing what we were born to do.
I would like to vote to end this thread on Coach May's exceptional post above. As usual, he has cut to the quick on this issue and it would make for the penultimate closing post for a thread that has run its course.
No one asked for a vote, but I cast one anyway.
No one asked for a vote, but I cast one anyway.
Krak - I understand where you are coming from, but with over 7,000 views on this thread, if we close it now, many people will be upset.
I agree with Coach May. I wish people would quit trying to convince us it's all about the academics. No one needs the hsbbweb for academics. The academic card always seems to get pulled out when the baseball does not turn out to people's liking.
Here is a thread for those who need inspiration to keep their "dreams" alive:
http://hsbaseballweb.com/eve/f...=356103323#356103323
I agree with Coach May. I wish people would quit trying to convince us it's all about the academics. No one needs the hsbbweb for academics. The academic card always seems to get pulled out when the baseball does not turn out to people's liking.
Here is a thread for those who need inspiration to keep their "dreams" alive:
http://hsbaseballweb.com/eve/f...=356103323#356103323
Good luck to RJM's son in his recovery and future endeavors. Glad to hear the surgery went successfully.
If there was an all hsbaseballweb team I would want deldad on the mound and coach May behind the plate and we would have a pretty solid start to a great team.
quote:would like to vote to end this thread on Coach May's exceptional post above. As usual, he has cut to the quick on this issue and it would make for the penultimate closing post for a thread that has run its course.
No one asked for a vote, but I cast one anyway.
OMG I think Coach Mays post was the best darn post I ever read on here.Right freaking on.I loved that.Made my day.
Coach May, where are you? I really want to know. I think you and my son need to play together. I think you two would really get along....
quote:If there was an all hsbaseballweb team I would want deldad on the mound and coach May behind the plate and we would have a pretty solid start to a great team.
We would be in the world series every year.
And gotwood4sale would surely be defending the Green Monster...
...cause he's out in left field!!!!!
...cause he's out in left field!!!!!
quote:And gotwood4sale would surely be defending the Green Monster...
...cause he's out in left field!!!!!
I totally agree with what Coach May wrote, wish I could articulate things and cut right to the chase like he does. There have been a lot of well thought out posts on this thread.
.
And at least one post not too well thought out. You'd vote for this one, isn't that right papi?
I'm out here in left field papi. Where everyone else thinks I belong. Quarantined against my fading will. The TSA controversy is nothing compared to what I have to endure at the hands of the clamoring crowd from the HSBBW.
Back to the story. I'm out here searching for an air vent. Someone told me the MBTA's Green Line runs right under the Green Monster, thus it's name.
Why do I do this? Why the quest for a vent? Well papi I not only defend green monsters, but I also build them. "Build" isn't quite the right word to describe my craft. I fashion green monsters. How did I ever learn to do this? Take a look see at my instructor.
He's the son of The Man From Glad©. Surprised?
And Coach May...your post was wonderful!
.
And at least one post not too well thought out. You'd vote for this one, isn't that right papi?
I'm out here in left field papi. Where everyone else thinks I belong. Quarantined against my fading will. The TSA controversy is nothing compared to what I have to endure at the hands of the clamoring crowd from the HSBBW.
Back to the story. I'm out here searching for an air vent. Someone told me the MBTA's Green Line runs right under the Green Monster, thus it's name.
Why do I do this? Why the quest for a vent? Well papi I not only defend green monsters, but I also build them. "Build" isn't quite the right word to describe my craft. I fashion green monsters. How did I ever learn to do this? Take a look see at my instructor.
He's the son of The Man From Glad©. Surprised?
And Coach May...your post was wonderful!
.
wanting baseball to open doors to a great education and future and having a passion for baseball are not mutually exclusive. I was just commenting on the academic benefits of playing college ball. My son has loved baseball since he began playing teeball, is super competitive and is fortunate he can play another four years after high school. Playing college baseball has always been my son's dream. Getting a great education on top of it is icing on the cake. He took advantage of a skill that allowed him to get a benefit he wouldn't have had otherwise. That doesn't negate the way he has always played the game and will continue to play the game... skinned knees and all. Knowing that there was a slim chance to make it in the big leagues, his ultimate dream, he chose to focus his recruiting efforts on getting the best education possible. Trust me, if he was told today that tomorrow he could play professional ball.. he'd pack his bags in a heartbeat. Being pragmatic and realistic doesn't mean he is any less of a ballplayer.
Great post Coach May. You keep coming up with these profound posts. You might be the Confuscius of HSBBW.
What I've taken from this thread is that we all have to look in the mirror and determine if the dream is ours or our child's. Regardless if there is a sport involved or not. It's easy to get them confused.
Best of luck to RJM's son in his recovery and in chasing his dreams.
What I've taken from this thread is that we all have to look in the mirror and determine if the dream is ours or our child's. Regardless if there is a sport involved or not. It's easy to get them confused.
Best of luck to RJM's son in his recovery and in chasing his dreams.
hsbbwebfan, I for one totally agree with you and sorry but I don't agree with Coach May's post. Just because a player looks at his education first does not mean he will not play the game with the same intestity as anyone else. I have had plenty of players that have a pasion for the game and also get after that better education.
Yes they laid out and had plenty of skinned knees and were covered in dirt after an inning of play.
Yes they laid out and had plenty of skinned knees and were covered in dirt after an inning of play.
hsbbwebfan,
My son used his baseball skills to get into a program that he might not have otherwise. His baseball skills helped pay for his education. Because of that, he was able to attend a fine out of state program and school and it cost us less then if there were no baseball involved. Simply put, I do beleive that is the goal for most here.
Can you play with the same intensity when education is your priority, absolutely. BTW, you can't stay and play if you don't make the grade.
For many of my son's college teammates who did not play beyond the college game, baseball opened lots of doors for them when gaining employment.
I am not too sure exactly what CM was trying to say other than you don't let anything stand in your way of your dream (whatever that is) if you truely love the game and you don't look down at other's choices.
My son used his baseball skills to get into a program that he might not have otherwise. His baseball skills helped pay for his education. Because of that, he was able to attend a fine out of state program and school and it cost us less then if there were no baseball involved. Simply put, I do beleive that is the goal for most here.
Can you play with the same intensity when education is your priority, absolutely. BTW, you can't stay and play if you don't make the grade.
For many of my son's college teammates who did not play beyond the college game, baseball opened lots of doors for them when gaining employment.
I am not too sure exactly what CM was trying to say other than you don't let anything stand in your way of your dream (whatever that is) if you truely love the game and you don't look down at other's choices.
2bagger - I respectfully disagree with your take. Coach May was not talking about playing the game with "intensity." He was talking about preparing to play the game. He mentioned that it was a "grind." The easy part is playing the game. The hard part is preparing to play it.
You tell a coach that your priorities are 80/20 academics/baseball, and imho you don't get recruited. You withhold that information from the coach and wind up recruited yet secretly apply the 80/20 rule, you never get on the playing field. It takes a tremendous committment to the "grind" or the "playing with intensity part" never materializes.
The thing is, I believe RJM knows that and is now playing the woe-is-me card to take advantage of your sympathies. For years, we have had to withstand the inuendo about the superior athletic genes that were in his family. Now that some adversity has been encountered, we're getting the holier-than-thou academics card played on us. That seems highly disingenuous at best. No one needs the hsbbweb to select a suitable academic school so baseball must have been lots more important than he is now making it appear. What we often get here is that people play the academics card as sour grapes for baseball disappointment. I am sure you and I will disagree on all that but for years here we have had to endure the drama-queen stuff and it gets old.
True adversity is not dealing with a physical setback that will heal and also does not prevent high-end academics or baseball from becoming a reality.
True adversity and the "death of dreams" is about life and death as mentioned previously in the following link...
http://hsbaseballweb.com/eve/f...=356103323#356103323
You tell a coach that your priorities are 80/20 academics/baseball, and imho you don't get recruited. You withhold that information from the coach and wind up recruited yet secretly apply the 80/20 rule, you never get on the playing field. It takes a tremendous committment to the "grind" or the "playing with intensity part" never materializes.
The thing is, I believe RJM knows that and is now playing the woe-is-me card to take advantage of your sympathies. For years, we have had to withstand the inuendo about the superior athletic genes that were in his family. Now that some adversity has been encountered, we're getting the holier-than-thou academics card played on us. That seems highly disingenuous at best. No one needs the hsbbweb to select a suitable academic school so baseball must have been lots more important than he is now making it appear. What we often get here is that people play the academics card as sour grapes for baseball disappointment. I am sure you and I will disagree on all that but for years here we have had to endure the drama-queen stuff and it gets old.
True adversity is not dealing with a physical setback that will heal and also does not prevent high-end academics or baseball from becoming a reality.
True adversity and the "death of dreams" is about life and death as mentioned previously in the following link...
http://hsbaseballweb.com/eve/f...=356103323#356103323
I agree here. While Coach May is on the money on baseball, I disagree that a player can't be a gamer and don't have to eat, drink and sleep baseball to be a baller.
This would be an insult to my son who didn't eat, drink and sleep baseball but when he got between the lines, he was as much a gamer as anybody who is a baller. Any coach would've been proud to coach him.
I remember him telling me once a teammate knocked him for laying out to make a diving catch in the OF in practice. He turned to the player and just said to him "I practice how I play" and went back to his position. It was no accident that when he played, he was prepared and played the game smart and aggressively.
Just because he didn't have designes to pursue college baseball, he was smart enough to know that a well-rounded education that included athletics.
To him, baseball is a game that he enjoyed playing and hung it up when he decided it was time to move on.
Playing baseballl was just a part of who he is, not all he is about.
And yes, along with having the grades, while he had no designs of playing college, he was aware that being a ballplayer and 2-sport varsity athlete could only help him when he ws trying to get into the college of his choice.
This would be an insult to my son who didn't eat, drink and sleep baseball but when he got between the lines, he was as much a gamer as anybody who is a baller. Any coach would've been proud to coach him.
I remember him telling me once a teammate knocked him for laying out to make a diving catch in the OF in practice. He turned to the player and just said to him "I practice how I play" and went back to his position. It was no accident that when he played, he was prepared and played the game smart and aggressively.
Just because he didn't have designes to pursue college baseball, he was smart enough to know that a well-rounded education that included athletics.
To him, baseball is a game that he enjoyed playing and hung it up when he decided it was time to move on.
Playing baseballl was just a part of who he is, not all he is about.
And yes, along with having the grades, while he had no designs of playing college, he was aware that being a ballplayer and 2-sport varsity athlete could only help him when he ws trying to get into the college of his choice.
Cleveland, I guess agree to disagree. I have never coached a kid that would that would walk in and say that to a coach. But I have coached many that put a huge effort into academics and also baseball.
I have been around a long time and realize that the hard part is preparing for the game. However there is a tough part of college baseball and that is playing 6-8 games per week, missing classes and the travel all while still getting 12 hours of class time in. I have also always let my players know that you have to really enjoy the preperation part of the game or you will not go far.
Like I said just about every player I have had works hard on and off the field and many have had setbacks including my son that they have had to work through but many have had education in their sights as well.
By the way I love the word passion I also used to use players with an edge but one of the things I have seen missing in College baseball is this same passion from many of the coaching staffs. Many at all the different levels don't sem to have a realistic plan in place other than recruiting. Part their problem part limitation from the ncaa.
Sorry went off topic.
No drama queen here by the way but I do understand what you are saying.
If I did not mention it I usually in agreement with Coach May.
I have been around a long time and realize that the hard part is preparing for the game. However there is a tough part of college baseball and that is playing 6-8 games per week, missing classes and the travel all while still getting 12 hours of class time in. I have also always let my players know that you have to really enjoy the preperation part of the game or you will not go far.
Like I said just about every player I have had works hard on and off the field and many have had setbacks including my son that they have had to work through but many have had education in their sights as well.
By the way I love the word passion I also used to use players with an edge but one of the things I have seen missing in College baseball is this same passion from many of the coaching staffs. Many at all the different levels don't sem to have a realistic plan in place other than recruiting. Part their problem part limitation from the ncaa.
Sorry went off topic.
No drama queen here by the way but I do understand what you are saying.
If I did not mention it I usually in agreement with Coach May.
2bagger - I don't disagree at all with your last post and I certainly wasn't referring to you as a drama queen.
I agree that academics are vitally important. In my mind, the way the athlete makes them work is he has to rob from some of the fun experiences in college. Instead of staying out at the bar until midnight, the serious athlete is home and in bed at a more reasonable hour. Instead of playing computer games with his roommtes at night, he is catching up on his studies. Baseball and academics doesn't leave much time for goofing off.
I agree that academics are vitally important. In my mind, the way the athlete makes them work is he has to rob from some of the fun experiences in college. Instead of staying out at the bar until midnight, the serious athlete is home and in bed at a more reasonable hour. Instead of playing computer games with his roommtes at night, he is catching up on his studies. Baseball and academics doesn't leave much time for goofing off.
Cleveland, agree 100% and that should happen at the high school level as well, all of which will make these young men do well at all facets of their lives no matter which way direction they go after baseball comes to an end.
Discipline and dedication!
I know you were not calling me drama queen, np enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Discipline and dedication!
I know you were not calling me drama queen, np enjoy the rest of your weekend.
quote:Academics and getting a good education are very important. Why do some people want us to think you cant do both regardless of the college you attend? Networking through baseball! Wow. Love the concept. Give me a break. I resent this idea that JUCO's are for dummies that only care about playing ball and dont care about academics. I also resent this idea that those that choose a school because its the best baseball situation somehow dont care about academics. You can get a great degree at a D2 power house if you appy yourself in the classroom and actually learn. And you can walk away from a big time academic school with a degree and still be dumb as a rock. Its not where you are its what you do where you are.
There are some kids who have a passion for the game and nothing is going to stop them from chasing their dream. And that does not mean they have their priorities messed up. It means they know what is important to them and they are going to go for it. And they dont apologize for it. So be honest and just say its not important enough to overcome what you have to overcome to do it. Its ok its not for everyone. The dream didnt die. The conditions for the dream were not met. Those that have a dream to play in college a real dream to play in college have no conditions to meet. Any place , any time , any where.
Where in this post did Coach May say that academics were not important.The basis for this post as I interpret it goes back to the original poster who stated tha dream died, and the went on to say anything less that a IVY type education wasn't good enough for his son, thus the dream has died.Coach May is saying that if the kid wants to play baseball then NOTHING can stop him, unless as stated a career ending injury.
And it is true if you go to college and give baseball 30% you will not be on the field, and that is why it is such a freaking grind.
You cant play if your not elgible.I sat lasy night with several players from a prestigious academic school and had dinner with them.Every one of them is competitve, and works hard in the classroom and the field, everyone of them wants to play at the next level.These boys would never have got into this school without baseball, so they are getting both a great education and great baseball.
Coach May was trying to say that a player can go to a lesser school and still get a great education.
And if a player walks away from baseball after HS to pursue his education, and no longer wants to play, that is great. But many boys that I come in contact with,most I know that my son plays with, they would have to be dragged off the field, because they would never walk away from the game unless the game passed them on.
Now those same kids are getting their degrees.My own son is driven by the game.His eyes when he plays, his entire body speaks when he is playing.zfrom recovering from an injury that took him out for 6 months with 4 days of rehab a week, 16 units, baseball and team workouts there is no way he comes back and plays unless he is 100% committed to the game.
I think Cleveland dad is spot on.Everyone says they want their kids to go to a great academic school, and then once the baseball goes bad, they leave.If the academics were first place why would they leave when the baseball doent work out.
Just for those that arent afriad to say it, many of our boys have baseball as their life priority, yes they are going to college, yes they will get their degrees, but bottom line they want to play the game.
So the OP who has a son with a 2nd injury, he has ended the dream,not the injury.He has stated many times on this thread and others that his son will not go to a "lesser school so he can beat his chest that he played college baseball".
That is an insult to the kid who only has the chance to play maybe at a small college that maybe isnt a winning program, that is in the boonies, that is just not a dream school, but that kid can play there.Are his parents wrong for letting their son play there? Are a JC?So now kids that go there are just wanting to beat their chest that they played college baseball and academics arent important to them.
And if academics arent important to a kid, and all he cares about is baseball???? What is wrong with that.As long as he stays elgible and works towards a degree, does that make him less than the kid who goes on to be a doctor.
Remenber that it takes many different skills to run a world out there, some may do State, city or county jobs, some may be blue collar, not everyone is an elite student, nor is everyone an elite athlete.
Again the dream didnt end. Deldads sons dream ended, thats something to freaking cry about.How tragic,yet Deldad comes on here to offer prayer and praise for many of our sons.Deldad gets baseball, and his heart is tied to baseball and it always will be.He had a son that beat the odds and got to the highest level.
Many of our sons will never reach that level, but I know for one young man that I know well, he will play until the game makes him leave.
quote:This would be an insult to my son who didn't eat, drink and sleep baseball but when he got between the lines, he was as much a gamer as anybody who is a baller. Any coach would've been proud to coach him.
Totally agree. My guy enjoyed his whole college experience. 2 part time jobs, one teaching young pitchers and the other catering on campus. Graduated on the dean's list and has a great job with a large International marketing company.
Baseball was never the most important aspect for him. It was always about the experience !
Life is about experiences !
quote:Originally posted by zombywoof:
Playing baseballl was just a part of who he is, not all he is about.
Always remember that, very important.
Well, I got to admit, my son fully enjoyed his time at college, he found time to do what he had to, perhaps he did stay at the bar a few times too late, hit the dean's list for 5 out of 6 semesters he attended and was always ready for gametime.
This week, my son had the most frightful airplane ride of his life, and he's flown alot and had some pretty bad flights (the last really bad one being losing an engine in flight). But this one was really bad, really. He told us the other night, that this plane ride has been like his journey, very bumpy along the way but never once has it ever let it stop him from what he wants to achieve for himself.
There are a lot of parents here whose son's have had much worse injuries that could have been career ending, but it didn't stop them from being any less of a student or a player, and they found a way to get past the road block. They would have done what they needed to, to stay in the game, even if that meant not attending the best academic school.
I think that is what Coach May was talking about.