As the Season gets started, please keep this in mind

After this was first posted, I printed a copy of it and usually have it with me when I go to a ballgame. I'm not sure why I did this, but it has become a habit.

Anyway, I was attending a college game last week when I noticed a particular parent. His son was struggling a little bit while pitching and his father was agonizing about his performance. He would shout out "pointers" to his son and I had a feeling that no matter how focused his son was tryng to be, he heard every word his dad shouted.

After the game, the boys were getting ready for their 2nd game of the DH and his dad and I started drifting towards one another. We ended up talking about the game and his son's performance. He started mentioning the typical parents reasons for a tough performance- ump squeezing him, coach calling the wrong pitches, catcher wasn't setting up properly- then finally getting to the last reason: He just didn't have his best stuff.

Listen, I'm a parent of a pitcher, so I understood exactly how he felt. We're in an exclusive fraternity that no one else can understand, but a parent of a pitcher. But as we were watching the next game, I shared with him my copy of this post. He really didn't comment about it, other then expressing condolence to ECU's situation, but I could tell he was thinking about it.

After the 2nd game the players filed out to their parents and I watched this particular family. The son had his head down as he headed over to the dad- I suspected he was preparing himself for a verbal assault. The dad went up to him and gave him a big hug and whispered something in his ear--you could see a big smile on his son's face. I left thinking...cool...ECU78 affected another family

 

that means the world to me. thank you.

 

Times they are a changing.

Putt,

I here you bro. Ive had so many memories that could fill a life time. Im beginning to regret some things though. Wished I would have done this or that with mine. Can't do it all over again.

I thank God that I was able to spend the time with mine the way I did any way. I know that there are still many great times ahead and I look forward to those as much as I thank God for the times of the past.

GS

 

You know I have found with my kids who are grown, that they didn't even notice sometimes when I thought I could have done something different. We are hard on ourselves sometimes for things that no one knew about but us. We all just have to do the best we can and doesn't mean we are going to be perfect. Live each day to the fullest and love our families the most we can. And kiss our kids everyday!

 

When I read these stories it makes me so appreciative that I haven't had to deal with such a great loss as a child in my life.

But I agree with what was said that sometimes we agonize over the wrong things that our kids don't even notice.

At the end of the season last year, I asked my son what his highlight moment was for the year. Having played over 50 games and numerous tournaments I was expecting some ESPN highlight memory.

Instead his highlight was because of our bad pool play we ended up playing 3 games in one day in 90+ degree weather. Because of the heat and 3 back to back games the parents agreed to pack the players bags and carry them between fields between games. My son and his teammates thought that was the coolest thing(just like the pros) to not have to pack their bags and carry them after each game.

Every once in a while after a tough game I still carry his bag. He may never make it to the pros but at least he can feel like one courtesy of dad.

 

For the love of the kid

Awesome Dad. Hope he has a great year!