The End Game.............

HaverDad...

Congrats to your son and to you. I enjoyed your post and I have experienced similar events. I will say, though, that your title "The End Game" seems pointed in the wrong direction. I like to look at it as a beginning made far easier by the journey that just concluded.

Haverdad,

Enjoy the memories he gave you and be proud you are the parent of a college graduate ready build his life after baseball.

Just remember that every player takes off the uniform for the last time at some point and it is almost inevitably with reluctance. Just ask Jeff Bagwell.

What an interesting time to see this topic. Last night my son played his last high school baseball game. We are (were) in a tough program that is almost always nationally ranked. It was a tough 4 years and my son played, I cannot even imagine how hard it was on parents that their sons were talented but got very little playing time. Back to the point, as Justin walked off the filed after the last out he came over and called me to the fence. He actually gave me a kiss through the fence and thanked his dad and I for letting him do it his way. He also said lets get ready for college ball now. I turned around and saw a sea of players and parents that were crying and realize that so many of the players were done playing baseball. I realize that at that moment one day my son would hang up the cleats and hope that I he is prepared for life after baseball

AllAboutBaseball,

First, congradulations to you, your husband and your son.

This is why it is so so important to emphasize to young players that the priorities in life are

1. Family
2. School
3. Athletics or other extra-curricular activities

The day comes for all where playing baseball at a highly competitive level stops. We want them to go as far as they possibly can on that journey. They must also realize that like all journeys, it does one day end and a new one begins.

It sounds like your son is one of those good enough to continue on with the game in college.
Hopefully his skills will land him some scholarship money to help him (and you) out.

Best of Luck to him and you !

.
Nicely done HaverDad...

Good work on this post and for the last couple decades!

44
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HaverDad.....well said.....

....son looked at Haverford, visited the team and campus.....liked it a lot, but ultimately chose another D3 (winters too cold for my desert brat).....now, after one year we have come to realize what an accomplishment it is to play ball and complete studies at an academically challenging D3......Congratulations to your son, you must be very proud.

Haver:

A day that must come for all -
A sad day in many ways -
But also a day for celebrating the journey that you have been on

Congrats to you and your son...

Haverdad - Thanks for sharing those thoughts and congratulations and best of luck to your son.

Your post reminds me that eventually baseball will end, but oh, what blessings it has brought into our lives!

Again, the best to your son in his future!

Exhaled now..........

Thanx for these notes. There has certainly been plenty of time to "prepare", so there's no angst here.
While we now live in France, we were able to stay in the US from late March and see at least 85% of this year's games and, while playing the toughest schedule ever, Haverford ran off a nine-game win streak including two playoff games to reach the conference finals for the first time.

In the time-well-spent-department: His monster (on-field) senior year was payback for 15 years of work and play. Most importantly those disciplines and memories will last a lifetime.

regards, HaverDad

....from Philly waiting for graduation on Mother's Day

quote:

Most importantly those disciplines and memories will last a lifetime.

HaverDad - I have waited to post in here because I get emotional when I read these stories. Your story is very positive and it is a tribute to your son and your family. Best wishes for the future

nod....

That was not imply that all eyes stayed dry all the time....

<s>

HaverDad:

Excellent post...very well stated.

I think jemaz made a good point also...your son is just beginning on a new adventure...an adventure that will be more rewarding and satisfying as the result of his collegiate baseball experience.

Much success to your son.

Wow... Well put. All too often the player does not understand the love affair he has with the game will someday end. As much as I dread the "last game" I look forward to my son starting the next chapter. It is my hope that the intensity, love and faith that he developed with baseball will serve him well in life.

Good luck to your son.