Today My Son...

Well done ktparstufan

 

O - it has been a a pleasure

We have been fortunate enough to play with Olen for 3 summers in a row and it has been great fun. Olen is an excellent young man and Billy and Eck should be proud. Wherever his path leads, those around him will be better off for having him be a part of their lives. Great teammate, great young man, great baseball player (and punter ! )

Now if his left handed pitching little brother would hurry up and get to high school, East Meck will have a better year !!

Seriously - congratulations to a great young man and family.

 

A very proud day.....

Today was one of my most proudest days of my son's high school baseball career. To know my son is to know a kid that plays the game hard and leaves it on the field every game. It doesn't matter if he plays well or has a bad day, its always the same. He picks his team up and stays emotionally in check. He plays for his team. He may not be the most talented or fastest kid on the team, but he plays with heart.

Today, his team won the 3A NCISAA State Championship. He wanted it more than any individual award. He had been struggling a bit at the plate over the last week or so. His coach was concerned and was trying to help him work through it. He was having a fantastic series defensively with 2 plays at the plate that stopped runs from scoring in a very close first game with a 4-3 win. But today, being down 3-1 in the 5th inning, this game was slowly slipping away. He had not had a hit today. He was up to bat with 2 runners on base. He took the first pitch and hit a line drive over the left field fence at the 350 sign for a 3 run shot. They took the lead 4-3. I was so proud of him and knew it must have been a great feeling for him to hit that home run in a close game.

They had to hang on....In the bottom of the 7th with a runner on third for the opposing team and fast as lightning, I knew what was coming next. I watched it happen yesterday with this player in the semi final game. A straight steal was coming to try attempt to tie the game. The player took off, our pitcher threw the ball to the plate and when the dust settled, my son showed the ball to the umpire for the out and his third put out at the plate for the series (21 innings behind the plate in 24 hours). One out later, our boys had won the title, 4-3. What a great day! And my son truly had the satisfaction of knowing he made a difference on the field today. He was emotionally spent as he hugged his mother after the game.

 

...and watched his dad wipe tears from his eyes. I'm thrilled for you Tony. What a great accomplishment. You should be proud.

 

Yesterday, my son played his last high school baseball game, after four extraordinary years with the Providence baseball team. He's not a headliner, but he's a rock solid kid, with a great heart and a strong belief in his role on the team. Although he had, perhaps, the greatest game of his life with a 3-run home run that brought the team within one run, he would trade it all in for a W. I guess it just wasn't meant to be.

When it was all over, I was stunned, and watched my son's baseball life since age 6 at MARA flash before my eyes. Where did all the time go? It passed so quickly! Parents, cherish every moment because you never know when you will watch your son's last at-bat. This was a top-notch group of boys, extraordinary coaching staff, and fabulous group of baseball families. It was an incredibly wonderful ride, and we are grateful for every moment. Thanks, Coach Hignight, for being such a great teacher and role model. These senior boys will NEVER forget their TEAM and all the great memories associated with it! With much gratitude, from a grateful Mom!

 

What a beautiful post! I love Providence Mom's

 

Great post ktparstfan, as I was leaving home Thursday for work, I noticed a neighbor and his son (dressed in his Dixie Youth uniform) just playing catch in the front yard. Where did the time go, it seems that was us just yesterday. But hey, we had some really good times and we will always remember those memories. Funny thing is while I was posting this, JK walks in with his "Fender Stratocaster" hanging from his neck and I ask what he remembers about playing Dixie Youth Baseball. Without thinking he starts playing a "No Doubt" song we used to listen to on the way to games. Thats when I realized, our kids remember things we tend to forget, but they will always appreciate the time they spent with DAD! While I remember having to stop pitching to him in the backyard, because he was hitting the ball into the neighbors yard, he remembers getting a cherry lemon sundrop after a game, win or lose. I remember JK and J.J. in a fierce battle for Minor Leagues "Highest Batting Avg.", he remembers that every player on his team getting a hit . Your son has been a role model and a leader, trust me, as I talk to JK his eyes light up when J.J.'s name comes up and he talks about his calmness under pressure. You have raised one terrific kid and he will succeed in whatever path he wishes to follow. Thanks for the memories!!!

 

Graduated from Davidson College

with Honors in Physics. First Davidson physics major in four years to earn the Honors distinction. All while enjoying four great years on the school's baseball team. To say he has done things the right way is quite an understatement. His baseball career is over, but he will be headed off to South Carolina's Nuclear Engineering program in the fall.

 

Last evening I watched my son walk across the stage to receive his award for receiving a College Scholarship to play baseball this coming fall. With the injuries he has had during his High School career and all the hard work it took for him to come back from his injuries, well, it just (IMO) says a a lot about this young mans character and drive. It has been a dream of his since he played little league baseball at MARA to some day play College Baseball and to witness his achievement was a very special evening for his Mom and I.

 

Wow...way to go Mac! I can't even spelt Nukleer much less going to school for it. He's an amazing young man that has fought through some tough times which prepared him for life.

Dang...a Nukleer Scientist!!!!!!!!