The first time

Danny,

I am hoping for that tomorrow. First game. I have a feeling the sophmores will start,so do not know if my son will get in but I will see tomorrow. I have my camera ready just in case.

We will all remember the college "first time" simply because of the anticipation that has been building for years. I remember it like it was yesterday (archives do help) . It was Feb 7, 2003 --- season opener --- Auburn vs VCU --- Auburn held a 15-1 record over VCU going into the game ---- Since 1996, Auburn is 64-6 (.914) in Plainsman Park during the month of February. I didn't care if he got a hit or not ---- I just wanted him to hit the ball hard. His first AB a double! His second AB another double! He continued on a 11 game hitting streak and was the first ever freshman at Auburn to be named SEC player of the week since they started the awards in 1985. After a month I uncrossed my fingers and allowed my unwavering confidence to emerge.
Fungo

Fungo and Fan, I think it's safe to say that as sad as that last high school game was, that first game takes away all that pain plus some.

My son's 1st game was against the #1 ranked Florida State in Tallahassee. He went in to pitch the ninth. I wasn't nervous and he told me he wasn't at all. He was ****ed. They were mocking his glove which had the Canadian flag embroidered on it. They were hooting and hollering at the edge of the dugout. He had 2 Ks and a ground out. He just grinned at them as he left the mound. Unfortunately we lost 10-0

Danny good point. I don't remember the actual game part of the last game in high school but I do remember the emotions shown and shared by the players and parents AFTER the game.

Bobblehead you would have been a big hit in section "B". They weren't mocking his glove ---- they were praising it!!!

Fungo do you think ?

Good thread. I remember vividly as he was scheduled as the Sunday starter for the third game of his freshman year. His mom and I sat at the top row of the bleachers on February 12, 2005, game 2 of a Saturday double header. He left the game in the second inning after surrendering his 5th run to Louisiana Tech. He went on to make two all conference teams the next two years.

His teammate Jon Lucroy was also a freshman and a former summer teammate. His first AB was a pinch hit 12 hopper to the mound. Jon went on to be drafted in the 3rd round by the Brewers his junior year.

The first game can be a little hairy.

I didn't realize FSU played the canadian National Anthem until we played them ------
BHD I'm sure you know this but for those that don't --- From the Animals of "Section B" website:

“O Canada” has become the rally song of the fifth inning, sung whenever Florida State bats in the fifth. There are many, many rumors as to how this tradition was started, so it just depends on whom you ask. A Canadian flag was added to the Animals in 1991, and is now raised whenever the anthem is sung. We even sing “O Canada” in French from time to time if the mood hits us just right. It’s become such a well-known tradition that even the organist at the ACC Tournament when it’s in Durham, NC plays the anthem whenever FSU bats in the 5th inning.

quote:

Originally posted by Fungo:
Danny good point. I don't remember the actual game part of the last game in high school but I do remember the emotions shown and shared by the players and parents AFTER the game.

Bobblehead you would have been a big hit in section "B". They weren't mocking his glove ---- they were praising it!!!

They provbably sang him the Canadian National anthem. Section B likes to have a good time.

quote:

5th run to Louisiana Tech

Dad04,

In 2005 there was a former teammate of my sons playing for Louisiana Tech by the name of Jericho Jones. He pitched, played OF and was a monster hitter. I think he was freshman all-American that year and was drafted this past year after his junior year. The kid could hit a ton. We played them in a doubleheader last year and I believe he homered in both games.

Jones is an awesome player with a really cool baseball name. He can mash real nice.

.
Spring of 04. Air Force opened up at New Mexico State. What a schlep from northern California. OfcrKID's god fathers came along with. AFA got cleaned that weekend, something like 45-4. A kid name Billy Baschum led the NCAA that year in HR's... we helped him get started. High elevation baseball in Las Cruces, NM. Those guys hit like pro softball players.

Game one, no game time. Game two, came in during the ninth with 2 outs, and doubled off the wall. Game 3, not listed as a starter... and of course being the proud Dad so many of us are, I'm torn up inside that we went all that way, and he wasn't given "much of a chance".

During infield, starting 3B catches a cleat, tears his ACL, and the "Doolie (AF for Plebe) from Norcal gets the nod. 4 for 5 that day, and did not come out of the lineup for 4 years.

I have always told both of my boys what Coach Leon Busboom (Wheaton Central HS, ILL) back in the 60's/70's used to say. "The guy that stays is the guy that plays... you are always a twisted ankle away from fame and fortune".


cadDAD


"If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there is a man on base."

You mean all this time my son had them all wrong ?

That funny I remember when my son warmed up in the fall WS his freshman year they played the Canadian National anthem

What i remember best about my son's freshman year was that it had more ups and downs in it than a toaster at a busy IHOP.
He'd battle to get his postion and then have an off game... then he'd get his chance and maybe come thru or make a mistake that he was sure was certain doom... by the end of the year he had a position secured and felt good about things so it was a positive year, but not without a lot of heartache.

trojan-

One thing he found out was (and justifiably so) that if you get an opportunity as a freshman, you had better take advantage of it. With the freshman, you're on a much shorter leash than the upperclassmen.

As a Freshman in Feb 2004 the kid made his first college start against Univ of Miami FL. With Ryan Braun and 4 other current minor leaguers in the Hurricane lineup he lasted 7 innings giving up 3 runs striking out 7 in his first collegiate loss. I remember when he called after the game I asked how things went. He said........

"I never thought anything that felt so bad could taste so good".

That phrase has stuck in my head since that night.

.

As a college freshman, playing in Miami, FL... are you sure he wasn't talking about something else?

cadDAD


"The problem with the designated driver program, is it's not a desirable job, but if you ever get sucked into doing it, have fun with it. At the end of the night, drop them off at the wrong house."