Today I sat among the Israeli players that make up the only team that plays baseball in Israel.
These players (mostly US born whose families relocated to Israel when they were young) love the game just like our boys do. Some have played college ball in the US, they play limited international games. They have no internal competition. There is one field in Israel. Roger Dean Stadium is baseball heaven. They have no pitching coaches or hitting coaches to help them improve their game. One pitcher throws well over 150 in games because they have no depth. He is either 30 or over.
They are in awe of the US professional players, these guys are their heros. There are three Israelis on Team Israel (team trying to qualify for the WB Classic in March). One player is the bullpen catcher and when he found out he made the team he was more excited than a kid in a candy store.
Very humbling for me as a parent whose son has been really lucky to get as far as he has.
I don't know, maybe it's all the whining and complaining here lately that's gotten to me.
I do know how it is when your son has to sit, it s*cks, I agree. But next time your son goes to play and not in the game as much as you like or think that he should be, think about these guys that would give anything just to sit on the bench.
Our kids are very lucky for what they have here, they should appreciate every moment, good or or not so good, and we should as well.
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