jimmy03,
Thank you for sharing the information about your son pursuing his umpiring career through Milb.
That is pretty darn neat to hear how he is pursuing his love of baseball and how the darn game can be so captivating.
That is a great post about your son. Thanks for bringing the perspective that is so important to the game, but one we rarely think about with our sons.
quote:Originally posted by infielddad:
jimmy03,
Thank you for sharing the information about your son pursuing his umpiring career through Milb.
That is pretty darn neat to hear how he is pursuing his love of baseball and how the darn game can be so captivating.
That is a great post about your son. Thanks for bringing the perspective that is so important to the game, but one we rarely think about with our sons.
Totally agree. Loved your post Jimmy! All the best to your son!
quote:Originally posted by PGStaff:
Lovethisgame,
I think "Football" is a great word!
Football is a great word as long as you don't say it with an English accent.
Jimmy that was a great post. I know you are so proud of your son and you should be. I have so much respect for the guys in blue. They truly love the game. Over the years I have developed some great relationships with many umpires. Several I consider to be some of my best friends. It takes a true love and passion for the game and those that play it to be good at it. My hats off to your son for choosing this path. I wish him nothing but success.
When did you know he had it? To me IT is a little different than for others. After coaching for so long I have learned that IT will fool you many times. When you believe IT is about talent IT smacks you in the face and teaches you otherwise. When you believe its about hard work , dedication , sometimes IT jumps back up and says no not this time. When you believe IT has finally arrived you see a slump come and it makes you realize IT really hasn't.
What I have come to know as IT is a little different. IT to me is getting back in the box after an 0-3 game with 3 k's and wanting to have another crack at it. It to me is making a critical error that cost your team and wanting the next ball hit to you so you can redeem yourself. IT to me is getting knocked flat on your back by the game and having the intestinal fortitude - the guts - the balls - the grit - the drive to get back in the fight with everything you have. IT to me is when everyone around does not believe in you you still believe in yourself. IT to me is never backing down , never giving up and never allowing anyone else determine your destiny in this game. IT to me is something that can not be measured with a radar gun a stop watch or a how far you make it in this game. IT to me is inside each player and makes him what he ultimately will become when he hangs up those spikes one day. And will determine if he can look in the mirror when his playing days are over and know he got all he could out of his ability.
IT will only be known by the one looking in that mirror.
What I have come to know as IT is a little different. IT to me is getting back in the box after an 0-3 game with 3 k's and wanting to have another crack at it. It to me is making a critical error that cost your team and wanting the next ball hit to you so you can redeem yourself. IT to me is getting knocked flat on your back by the game and having the intestinal fortitude - the guts - the balls - the grit - the drive to get back in the fight with everything you have. IT to me is when everyone around does not believe in you you still believe in yourself. IT to me is never backing down , never giving up and never allowing anyone else determine your destiny in this game. IT to me is something that can not be measured with a radar gun a stop watch or a how far you make it in this game. IT to me is inside each player and makes him what he ultimately will become when he hangs up those spikes one day. And will determine if he can look in the mirror when his playing days are over and know he got all he could out of his ability.
IT will only be known by the one looking in that mirror.
Coach May,
Have to agree with all you said, Nicely worded and oh so true! You can't Coach "Heart."
Have to agree with all you said, Nicely worded and oh so true! You can't Coach "Heart."
.
Way to go Coach!
Your post definitely has IT!
.
Way to go Coach!
Your post definitely has IT!
.
How did that Coach May guy get to be so darn smart? 
Really interesting replies, folks. Thanks. And thanks to some of you guys for the occasional comic relief. 
Just to be clear, as I originally stated, my boy is still pretty young (I should probably confine myself to the "Pre HS" forum). But I did not ask this question seeking a point of reference for him at all. I am just really interested in all the diverse ways families experience the athletic success of their children.
I would wager that to even well-informed baseball fans, the scouting and prospect identification process is pretty obscure. As such the light the discussions here shines on that process is extremely valuable to curious/interested guys like me and to families who will imminently go through that process. So thanks for being so forthcoming.
ClevelandDad, I sent you a PM.
Just to be clear, as I originally stated, my boy is still pretty young (I should probably confine myself to the "Pre HS" forum). But I did not ask this question seeking a point of reference for him at all. I am just really interested in all the diverse ways families experience the athletic success of their children.
I would wager that to even well-informed baseball fans, the scouting and prospect identification process is pretty obscure. As such the light the discussions here shines on that process is extremely valuable to curious/interested guys like me and to families who will imminently go through that process. So thanks for being so forthcoming.
ClevelandDad, I sent you a PM.