Second Son Experience

How many of you have/had a second son come thru the baseball world? Can you share how your experience is/was with the second son compared to the first son. I don't/won't have a second son but I am curious since I gave my only son such a hard time. I am wondering if it is different the second time around? Share whatever you like.

 

Pair of Baseball Boys

We have only two boys, and they both play baseball. Both of our boys began playing many sports such as baseball, football, soccer, basketball and swimming. As the years passed, they both settled into making the choice to only play baseball. It's a big time commitment, but we've always felt it's such a positive experience. We feel strongly it's been good for both boys to spend this much time with families with similar interests. Over the years, they've been exposed to many wonderful adults that look out for all the boys on their teams.

I'm glad that all on their own, both of our boys chose their sport, and it happened to be the same one. They've learned alot from each other, each other's teammates, and each other's coaches. They also share a special bond over a sport they're both passionate about. As parents, we've learned alot about the process from our older son's experiences that greatly benefit our younger son.

As parents, when we watch our older son move on to another level, we feel fortunate to be able to share things a second time with our younger son. It's truly been an awesome experience for all of us, and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

 

I really think it depends how much different in age between the two. In my case there is an 11 year difference, so the 2nd time around is much different...much, much different. You will find the little things don't bother you, but you tend to laugh more at some of the antics of the younger coaches. You really have a better understanding what is important and what is not; you don't take things nearly as serious.

But there is one thing that does upset me. Although the mothers tend to be much younger, they do tend to piss me off with this comment, "Ohhhh
Braves...your grandson is soooo cute!"...talking about deflating my balloon!

 

Braves, you hit the nail on the head with that one. Having a better understanding of what's important is a huge plus the second time around. I would also add that you do take some things as seriously, but having gone through the experience before you know which issues are most important, and which one's just aren't.

 

7 Year- old

I have a 7 year-old that just started playing this year. It is very different. For one thing I am alot older, and wiser, and slower. There is a 12 year difference in my sons ages. When my older son started out I was still playing "old man softball" and it was very competitive so when I coached I was very competitive and I was very hard on my son. About everything. I harped on every mistake and when he pitched I lived and died with every pitch. He is playing college ball now and he knows that some of the reasons that he is such a good ball player is from me and his other coaches staying on him.

I know I went too far sometimes, well alot, but it was for his own good. At least that is what I thought. Hopefully he isn't too messed up. I laugh about some of the times we had and so does my son. He has always been a great kid and has turned into a wonderful young man.

The younger one is just starting to play and really is starting late for today's standards at 7. He is opposite from his older brother. He is very serious when the game is going on and gets mad when he gets out, even when he gets out on the bases on force plays when it's not his fault he stomps of the field. He started the year off as one of the weakest in the league and ended the fall as one of our best hitters. He loves the game.

These 2 boys are so different. I am different with the younger one in the fact that when he goofs up I can't help but laugh. I wish I could go back and enjoy the days when my older one would goof up and instead of yelling "what were you thinking" or "where is your head" or " what in the @$%%^ are you doing". I could just sit there a tke it all in.

Only time will tell how well I behave when the games start to count. But that's where I hope to do better is knowing that the early games are not important as to wins, losses, hits, strike-outs, etc. What is important is being able to watch your kids have fun and grow up way too fast right before your eyes.

I have truly been blessed by God to have my 2 boys.

 

Hey son let me give you a hug

 

Good point. Work ethic, team playing, hustling, coachable, etc...are qualities that never change, but I find myself, emotionally, much more laid back. I have learned that the most important thing for me is his "effort and attitude"; anything else doesn't concern me too much.

He is 10 yo. He is naturally very competitive, but I don't care what team he is on or what league he plays in or what their team record is. All I really care about is: Is he getting better? Is he learning the basics and having fun?

I'll give him the advice and direction later on in his life, but for now...I'll just sit near the OF away from those obviously blind young mothers and wait for one of them to come up to me asking for a check for something!!!

I swear every time I attend one of his games, I'm always having to write a check for "I don't know". When I see them approaching I just ask, "How much?"

 

niknat- you have said honestly what many have experienced. The part about laughing at the goofy things is a great example of the differences. In fact, it pisses off my older one with my behavior towards the young one. I just laugh and tell him to "quit hatin'...your younger brother is better and doesn't need my direction like you did"...Wow...that really gets him going

 

The other HUGE thing I've learned is that the experiences and time pass much too quickly. With the first one, we've enjoyed each step, but also get excited about what comes next. With our youngest, we're enjoying every step and know what comes next will be here much too fast.

We've had other non-baseball friends ask us if it drives us crazy how busy we are, year round, with baseball. My answer is always "no, because one day we'll long to be back watching all these games and being busy with our boys." We cherish the journey and feel very fortunate.

 

Winter drives me crazy

My standard answer: is there really something better to do?