Open Letter to Indy85

Thanks for sharing Gloveside. That was a good story.

It's not really about a coach. It's about how a dad and son handle a tough situation. There are two paths to take and one path is covered with the blame game.

 

Keep it in perspective...

I always told my boys to work hard, and do all that they can do, but even still sometimes "life" just isn't fair, and that will never change.

The good news about sports to remember, is its just a game. Look at people with medical handicaps, or personal problems, or wars,,, theres certainly a lot of bigger things in life to worry about. Baseball can and often does help prepare young men for life. Always tried to remind my sons too that while they were concerned with making sports teams as kids, being one of that 18 man roster,,,,,,,, that one day they will go into a job interview where 40-50 people are all going after ONE job. So theres obviously a lot of bigger issues awaiting down the road that both dad and little johnny can share together.

And then theres always grandkids, where I can then start all over and do it again...

 

TJ21

You should write a book on parenting athletes. The last thing a player should have to worry about is thier parents. The only time a parent should get on the player is if they show a bad attitude or they don't hustle. The only thing I tell my sons after a game is that I love them and I'm proud of them. I've watched my sons sit the bench and I've seen them get frustrated. I tell them to work harder and keep a good attitude. The only thing I've said to my sons coaches is thanks for working with my kids. They work countless hours for very little pay.

 

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Some of the brightest, best parents I've seen are father's of pitchers. As smart as they are, try telling them to keep things in perspective (wars, famine, aids) when their son is on the mound. If you believe they will keep those things in mind (that it's only a game) and that is going to make them relax and not have an emotional investment every pitch....wow, show me one of those guys.

The point of this thread is not to attack a father for his feelings. But to acknowledge it and help him/them to get back on track. For those that don't care, then don't reply and move on to another thread.

 

Braves- I truly appreciate your insight. I hope you aren’t charging me for this. I think you have missed your calling if you aren’t already a counselor. I really felt like I had something to offer when I posted about the sophomores on varsity. I have given it a lot of thought while trying to make since of this season. I can’t deny that I am ashamed of the way I have handled my son’s situation. Early on, I did play the blame game. I had to stop that because my name kept moving to the top of the list. Speaking of list, I have a laundry list of conspiracy theories. Regardless, we have grown a lot through this. I have learned to channel my expectations and he has learned that he has to be ready to contribute in anyway. Despite my poor example, he has managed to handle this with a maturity way beyond his years and I am very proud of that. My son knows that I am his biggest fan and there is nothing he can do to disappoint me. Thanks for the advice. As for being my last post, most of them are self-serving with a personal agenda. I don’t see how that can be beneficial for anyone. I am out….forever (starting now)

 

My last post was in no way an attempt to attack any father, I apologize if it was taken that way.

 

MO

The old adage that baseball is life is a little right and a little wrong.There is certainly more to life than baseball. I just don't know what it is yet. hahahah.

With that said baseball is alot like life. (Sorry I hate cliches also.)I know that for he and I, there will be many times in his adult life that I won't be there to help him. He has to stand on his own two feet. Baseball mirrors life in this regard. As a player you have to stand, on your OWN feet, in YOUR cleats, on the field. You have to be personally responsible for what you do on the field. And off the field!! Of Course. (This is where I come in.) I know this has been said a million times over. Maybe the same way and most likely its been said differently.

These are just opinions. Everyone has them.

The comments that Ive received from folks on here have helped me personally and our family. I have NEVER been disrespected on here. NOT ONCE. I don't think thats the way we do things here.

Indy. I urge you to stick around. You have a lot to offer.

What you have to offer is INSIGHT. Your personal insights are valuable to others. Insight allows us comparison. We compare our decision making processes.

In the end the bottom line is that BASEBALL PEOPLE ONLY HAVE BASEBALL PEOPLE. You don't see very many fans at baseball games. Its just not that popular. Say as football.

ITs hard. Its nearly impossible to play. Bat and ball are same size. Equipment is expensive. Fields are expensive. Heck you can play football on a soccer field. Not much to change. Not Baseball. 60/90!!

So baseball people only have baseball people. I doubt anyone outside this fraternity can understand the passion we ALL share for this game. Only baseball people can IMO. We passed it to our kids and they will pass it to theirs. Now the only thing we have left is to watch our kids play and help them get to the next level so they can play for 4 more years. If they don't get to the next level then thats ok. They got to experience this passionate game and will pass it on.

For me Im going to have fun watching my little guy. Or Im going to try. But I will always be his dad.

 

I should have qualified my statement by saying I was not speaking to anybody that has posted so far. I believe you and 29er brought some great insight. I respect both of your opinions. I was referring to future posters that might say the problem is "the family genes"...and that was not the point.

There are many parents that have shared the same feelings as Indy and I hate to see that. The one's that I know are very good people and they have great sons. But if my post helps just one person then it was worth it.

 

Gloveside- this may be your best post ever!