Preparation

Braves: I copied this thread over here because it pertains to a subject that is applied to all. I hope you find it thought provoking


I don't know about you; but, conversations with friends occasionally create more than the usual amount of thought and reflection. Such was the case yesterday when one of our fellow TBR members told me a story about a friend and his son.

In this case, the son had devoted years of hard work through high school to become the best baseball player he could be; and, his father had supported him in every way he possibly could all along the way. When it came time to choose a college, the decision was made to attend an NAIA school with the hope/expectation that he'd win a spot on the baseball team's roster via the mandatory tryout process.

When the tryouts' results were posted, the player's name failed to appear on the list of those chosen; forcing him...and his Dad...to face the unwelcome news that his baseball career as a player was probably done.

As a player's father, it took me to a few related thoughts; ones that have come up for me every time something has reminded me of the inevitability of the conclusion of my son's (and every other player's) playing career:

(1) While playing careers may end at various stages for players, every playing career ends. Just as inevitably, a new chapter in the player's life begins at that moment.

(2) The hard work and determination that have taken the player to whatever point he's reached on the diamond can be applied productively and successively to whatever pursuit(s) he chooses after he hangs up his cleats. The same can be said of the valuable life lessons he's learned from his time as a player.

(3) Given the inevitability of the conclusion of a player's career, a great deal of care needs to be taken along the way to make sure that skills unrelated to baseball are developed. Successful life beyond baseball requires such diverse elements as knowledge, faith, and social skills (among quite a few others). Parents owe their sons the benefit of their consistent guidance in this area; to make sure that their children are receiving and devoting appropriate attention/effort to those dimensions outside of baseball that will help make them successful performers later in life.

(4) Finally, players and parents alike need to step back every once in awhile and ask if they're appropriately balancing the baseball part of their lives with the non-baseball portion.

For what it's worth, these thoughts have helped me prepare for that inevitable day when my son calls and tells me that it's "time to move on" to pursuits beyond the field. As I've told him, the day that occurs will be a positive day for us both. Despite the fact that I'll miss no longer having the opportunity to see him perform on the field, I'll be excited for him and his prospects for success in the chapter that begins unfolding at that time.

A minuscule percentage of players are chosen to play in the major leagues. Everyone, however, gets the opportunity to experience the "major league of life."

 

Thanks for a thoughtful post, and great guidance!

 

Prepster at his best!

 

Giving back

Former Carolina Panther, Mike Minter coaches the First assembly football team. He says "now is maybe the best time in my life. Being able to give back to others what has been given to me"........

 

This happens to all Dad's that have athletic children, went through the same, let me also say that those years spent with them on the fields and gyms were some of the most enjoyable years, at some time in life the games past us by, and this is followed by years that are just as enjoyable, as they grow into adults and have families of there own....

THEN THE CYCLE STARTS AGAIN

 

...and we are so much smarter

 

GRANDPAW

Wait till we are grandpaws and maws and we watch our kids jump up and down and act foolish when their kid does something great or very stupid.

 

lessons learned

One of the things I hoped when we got involved in softball was the life lessons my DD would learn. In a sad way you see how ugly people react (parents), how people organize, how selection is made, the politics and dynamics of conducting business, finding a fit, all things that transcend into adulthood. As harsh as many of our experiences have my DD has learned a skill set that will carry her outside of softball. The preparation she makes for the classroom, the preparation and conditioning of body and mind for the field of battle. The results of hard work.