College Ball 2014

Cabbagedad,

 

Your post has made my day!!! So glad it went so well for all of you!!

 

That's just awesome 13LHPdad, just awesome!

That was well worth the trip Cabbagedad. Well done by your son!

Congrats 13, that's awesome news!!!

Bballson got his first action today. Came in in relief. Losing 4-1 in the 4th. 1 out, runner on 2nd. Got 2 GB outs to end the inning. Next inning gave up a single, but got thru the inning with no runs. We hit, then the rains came and the game got called. So, starting off good, hoping for a good spring!!

Cabbagedad, it was great to hear your son got in there and had a great and memorable day! Hope there are many more!

 

Congrats 13LHPdad!  Sounds like a great start to the season!

 

Cabbagedad,  I am so glad to hear of your son's success yesterday and I understand how you must have held your breath on that full wrist extension!

 

 

Congrats 13LHPdad! Congrats to your son and you!

Thanks gents/cabbagedad.  Great to hear about your boy and enjoyed the pix. 

Thomas made his first NAIA start Saturday, 5 innings, 4 hits, 6 K's and no runs. Congrats to all on their open weekend successes.

bballman and Tom Dorminy, congratulations! Seems like a lot of the posters sons had a great first weekend on the mound. Always great to get that first solid appearance on the board.

Congrats on all your son's successes this early in the season.  Freshman gametimer called Friday night to say his elbow is sore and they are shutting him down for a few days to see how it responds.  He was scheduled to start game 2 of the season next Saturday behind the dish.  Praying that elbow is just a little sore and bounces back with no serious injury.  Said he still had plenty of velocity on throws, just hurts a lot.  Seems to happen in January every year for the past few years.  I hope that is all it is.  Trainers seem to be taking good care of him. This is when I wish he were a little closer to home so I could check it out myself.  We are going Saturday anyway. 

...if you only knew!

Special anxiety- how very true.

The good news is that you get to watch a lot of baseball. As the parents of a freshman pitcher, you don't really know when he going to pitch, at least this early on. So the aniextty is shortened. As they move up to starters, the aniextty is longer knowing well in advance of the start. 

Its all good, alumni game Saturday & season opener 2/14!

My son is in his first year of D3 ball. He missed the entire fall program because of mono.

 

First practice stories are hard to come by, but he did report that he puked at AM workouts. I couldn't be more proud! And I mean it...

 

Cab, got chills with your story and pics. Great news.

My son was a freshman pitcher last year Picked Off, so I feel your pain!!  However, Not all pitchers wind up starters, so the not knowing when your son is going to pitch can go on much longer than freshman year.    My hope is also that my son becomes a regular starter.  Even then, you have to hope he does well consistently or someone else will be given a chance.  Last year, as a freshman, my son had 4 starts and he didn't know he was going to start till pretty close to the game.  At most, the day before.  Starting off the same this year.  He'd like to be a starter and was told at the end of the fall they were looking at him to be a starter.  He didn't start the opening series, so who knows what will happen.  They were told Friday before they left to their away games who would be starting over the weekend.  Next game is Wednesday, so I'm hoping I'll know something in enough time before I make a 3 hour drive to the game.  Ahhh... The life of a pitcher's parent...

Thanks bballman, good info. Just hopeful he gets some innings. I know it will be tough getting advanced notice of play time. We just have to be ready and do our best to get to see him play. His school is a 3 hour drive away and we have some plans already made for some away games.

Good luck to your son, I hope it all works out!

Thanks TBDdad!  (loved that story). 

And thanks also to oldmanmoses, 3bagger, 2014, 2013LHP, twotex and others for kind comments. 

 

I did leave out my favorite part of the trip.. after the game as we met up with son for a few quick hugs, both the HC and OF coach made a point to come over and introduce themselves to my wife and I and compliment son on what kind of young man he is off the field.

 

OK, time to get back to where I'm more comfortable... enjoying the stories of others.

Sounds like some classy coaches.  Thanks for sharing your story cabbagedad.

Cabbagedad, I've been away on work a bit and missed your post. What a great story! I loved reading it, please keep sharing away. 

My younger son's season starts 2/14 in Arizona. Can't wait to finally give him a hug! 

My older son started last weekend...was having an incredible game,and bam, was hit by 93 mph inside pitch on wrist. (prayers needed) He's a tough kid and finished game, but couldn't play second game, he said it was like he had dead arm. It's not fractured, thankfully, just swollen and very sore. Doing RICE and trying "new" remedies, chinese herbs and acupuncture. 

I have found from experience...we never know what the beginning of the season will bring,

but hopefully, before the end, it's all we dreamed it would be.

We've tentatively planning on surprising our son by attending his team's first game (away), but now due to the weather forecast I'm not sure.  They have a doubleheader scheduled for this Saturday (2/8), but the forecast is now 70% chance of rain .  Wife has suggested we wait for the home opener which is what we'll probably end up doing. 

 

I was really looking forward to this weekend as the away game is much closer (only a 3 hour drive) than going to a home game (4.5 hour drive). 

 

I guess we'll give it another 24-36 hours before we make a final decision.  If we ultimately go to the home opening weekend we'll get to see 3 games - doubleheader on Saturday and a single game on Sunday.  Only we'll have to hustle back home after the Sunday game as my wife has to report to work late Sunday night (works nights). But at least we'd to spend the entire weekend with him.

Well Opening Day is finally here for my son's team! Not only that but the game is against another poster's son's team (oldmanmoses) and the game is going to be video streamed from the Jupiter Fla. spring home of the St Louis Cardinals. I am so ready!

 

Thanks for the heads up.  I am watching your son's game.  Looks like they are playing in a minor league ballpark (Palm Beach Cardinals perhaps?).  For those that may be unaware, Three Bagger's son has been an All-American for many years and played in the D2 college world series.  I hope the young man gets his shot at the next level.

 

Looks like we'll be going, but not tomorrow and I won't have to wait until next week either.  .  Due to the weather forecast (70% chance of rain) tomorrow, the games (doubleheader) have been moved to Sunday which has only 10% chance of rain and warmer weather (56 F vs 43 F for Saturday).  Can't wait!

Opening day a week from today for Abilene Christian....what it looks like today!! 

 

Fortunately,Texas weather changes on a dime..forecast for next Fri is for 65 degrees!.

Son had his first college game last weekend. He hit some milestones, first college HR first 2b and first K. It went downhill from there. The second game he got his first ever 3 K game. Quite the learning curve.  

Cabbage thanks for sharing that story about your son. There is no doubt with a story like that he loves this game. I know you are very proud of him. Heck I have never met him and I am. Good luck this season!

Thank you, Coach May,

Even though you don't know him, you have helped shape him.  Over the years, there have been quite a few times when I have printed off and shared with him one of your powerful posts that addressed a timely issue or otherwise provided motivation for doing things the right way...  very glad to see you here again, for myself and others.

It was great seeing our son.  He hadn't really expected to see us at an away game - especially the first games of the season.  He suspected we might show up but wasn't really sure.

 

Team lost both games but both were good, well fought games.  Jumped out to an early lead in the game 1, but gave up a three runs in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th innings. They closed to within one run in the 9th but couldn't get a tying run across and lost 3-2.  Son went 1 for 4.  Had a nice single between 1B/2B and drove one deep to CF at the warning track.

 

Game 2 was somewhat of a repeat with PHCC getting out to a 4-0 lead, but Louisburg tied it up by in the 3rd.  Louisburg went up by two in the 5th but PHCC fought back to tie it in the 6th.   Game 2 ended up going 11 innings with PHCC giving up a walk off run in the 11th.  Son was 0-3 with two walks in game 2.  He had two that he drove deep into the outfield - one of which looked like it might bounce of the CF wall.  Oh well.  Final was 7-6.  Just couldn't get the timely hit to close the game.

 

Next game (away) is Thursday, but snow is in the forecast so who knows.  Home opener is next weekend.

Here-here, I did the same for my son.  I'm sure most posters have echoed Coach May's wisdom.  I know the "grind" words by Coach Mays was very helpful this fall.  

Love this thread!
For many of us here, it wasn't so long ago, our son's biggest angst was whether or not they would make the cut for their H.S. teams, then everything one goes thru with the recruitment process & finding the right fit in a College selection. Well, if you are on this thread, it's likely that your son made it! Awesome! All the games, practices, lessons, injuries, rehab, pep talks, that lead them to this point! And they lived thru it all, to tell about their Collegiate Baseball experiences! I applaud each of them, their parents & coaches, that had a part in reaching that  privilege of playing ball, beyond HS.

Our 2013 - RS / RHP is rehabbing from T.J. surgery, last July. Rehabbing is going well, son had a little scare, when College Physician suspected a torn Labrum recently. Ortho Surgeon ordered an MRA, No Tear! Adjustments made to his rehab. It's been one of those character building times, being a Redshirt Freshman rehabbing & still trying to feel a part of the team. But, his Trainer & Teammates have been great! He's become close to many of his teammates & formed a family. Everyone roots for each other, singularly and collectively. The Team lost 12 Seniors, 9 Pitchers, and preseason hasn't been kind to their remaining and new Pitchers, many have been injured.

On a bright note, Son received a request in coaching for an older class of travel baseball players, in the organization that he grew up playing in. He assumed that it would be as an Assistant Coach, but turned out to be as a Head Coach. He felt honored & excited about the opportunity. He is loving it, and having a ball! Guess he will even get College credit for it too! Kinda fills the void, by redshirting this year.

Love reading about everyone's son's experiences on here! Feel the emotions that you parent's must be feeling at times, the good and not so good ones! Best of luck to all of your boy's this season!  I'll be rooting for them!

I'd also like to take the opportunity to thank HSBW Posters for sharing, advising, directing, explaining, etc. to all the inexperienced newbies to these processes. Your patience & support are immeasurable to us! There will always be a few bad apples in any bunch, that's when you resort to the "block" button!  Seriously, you're the best!
Have a great season!!! Sit back & enjoy the ride!!!

Good luck to all the teams up here trying to fly south for their opening tournaments!  Yikes. Be safe.

In keeping with the Olympic spirit….Let the games begin!!!

Son’s D2 school is scheduled to have opening games this weekend in Winston – Salem N.C.

Looking at the weather for the next couple of days it doesn’t look very promising.  It’s “only” a 6 ½ hour ride so we will not make any decision to attend until the last possible minute.

 

Those “southern” states don’t have a great reputation for snow removal.  I hope for everyone’s sake that there isn’t loss of power for an extended time.

Saturday is supposed to have a high of 45 and to be sunny, my son is excited for that kind of weather,  the bullpen guys will be shirtless soaking up some sun!

 

I hope every ones son has a successful and healthy season!

Son's arm seems to be fine.  Got first action last Saturday when he came in to catch the 9th in a close game.  Threw runner out trying to steel 2nd with runners at 1st and 3rd.  Got first start Sunday in 7 inning affair.  No attempted steels.  Had a play at the plate that was close call, but went in other teams favor.  Could have blocked the plate better, but could have gone either way.  0 for 2 at the plate, and they weren't pretty.  All in all, good weekend for first college experience.  Hopefully he'll get a chance to play this weekend and can get his first collegiate hit under his belt.  All in all, we are just glad arm is healthy and he is getting a chance to prove himself.  Man was it cold though!!!

ClevelandDad,

 

I missed your post last weekend, thank you for the thoughts about the next level for my son.

 

Well our opening series down in Florida didn't go quite how we planned it as we lost two of three to oldmanmoses' son's team. His son Chris's team just flat outplayed us and Chris was a big part of that as he hit the ball hard all weekend and played a stellar third base. Multiple times we had two strikes on him and he would just fight the pitchers until he got a hit or a walk. Excellent Player!

 

My son kind of looked a little out of sync the first game on his AB's although he got one good hit but by the second game he hit the ball hard. The third game was a battle royal between him and oldmanmoses' son Chris as they each got three hits including two extra base hits each and were great in the field at their respective positions. Our two aces were limited to one inning total due to arm problems but the timely way Palm Beach Atlantic hit the ball I don't know if it would have made a difference. If we don't get those two guys who were 14-0 last year back soon this will be a long year.

 

Our game Wed. back in frigid Miss. was iced out so I will get to see the home opener when we travel up there this weekend.

 

Hope everyone gets to see some action soon and good luck!

 

 

Turns out it was a good decision to go see our son play this past weekend - wife had suggested we wait until this coming weekend.  Tomorrow's games and the upcoming weekend series have been postponed to later dates due to the oncoming weather.  Expecting 8"-12" of snow tonight into tomorrow.

 

Hopefully it'll melt by the following weekend.

 

For anybody in the south and along the eastern seaboard stay warm and safe. 

PO Jr called today letting me know he will be traveling with the team for this weekends 3 game opening season series in SoCal. He said he was calling to see if I wanted the new team camo hat, but I know it was to say he made the travel squad. Rumor has it, non conference games don't hav travel limit. Never the less, very happy I get to see him this weekend. Couple of innings on the bump would be a bonus.

$300 airfare, $300 hotel room, 80 degree weather, 3baseball games....one big hug priceless!

 

Freshman son called last night and said that they had posted the names for the first road series this weekend.And he was on the list!

Pretty darn cool.

He said that they plan to use him as a late inning reliever, 5th - 7th inning to start the season.

With the chance to get some some mid week starts as the season moves along

He was happy with the news, as was dad.

Right where he should be.

Play ball!

Threebagger and oldmanmoses, how cool is that .... two HSBBW regulars from different parts having sons do battle and both right in the middle of everything!

 

Picked Off - have you connected with baseball24/7?  Pretty sure he has one still at UCI.  Could be another HSBBW get-together.  And if you're looking to cut down on the $300 hotels, you do know about Air B'nB, right?

 

Wapak - very cool... had to love that call!