Today My Son...

This week our son received 3 senior class superlative academic awards at his high school awards assembly. HIS work ethic, both in the classroom and on the field has been an inspiration to ME. I thought it was supposed to be the other way around!

 

My Son

Today my son played his last high school baseball game. Ardrey Kell lost 3-0 to East Forsyth. He came in and got the last 3 outs, but it came to end. He finished this season 7-1 and 13-3 with 4-5 saves over his HS career. His last 3 outings were in relief, a total of 6 innings with no hits and 12 Strikeouts. There are a lot of stats, pressure games, and great memories.


I am very proud of his accomplishments on the field, of the way he competes, but it all fails in comparison to how proud I am of him being a great son, a great young man, and as exciting as the past was, I can’t wait for the future. Love you son.

 

Ashville - Great Young Man

Ashton is a great young man, a super teammate a bulldog competitor.

Francis Marion is lucky to be getting him.

 

Bulldog

I wish every kid had the mentality of Ashton. When the game is on the line, he wants the ball. Francis Marion is getting a "ballplayer".

 

That is so cool! Congrats Stang on having an extremely gifted young man.

 

You can't ask for anything better than this quote.

 

Ashton

This kid's reputation and "balls of steel" mentality was established at 10 years old when he was pitching in a rec league game. He took a shot up the middle right in the family jewels and if he were a basketball player or soccer player he would have folded like a lawn chair. Instead he picked up the ball and threw the kid out at first and came off the field pumping his fists and screaming at the dugout (some of us have seen a little of that over the last few years as well). He led off that inning with a hit. His dad was out of town for that game and when I told him about it all he said was "no brain no pain". Ashville....Ashton is the man and love him like a son! Thanks for the great memories as well.

 

There is nothing new I can add. However, I have enjoyed watching him pitch the last two years. Simply one of the most underrated pitchers in our area.

The part about "no Brain, No Pain" is classic!

Congratulations Paul and Ashton and look forward to following your future at Francis Marion.

 

Having had two son's have the incredible opportunity to play this great, but humbling game, with great teammates who will be friends for a lifetime, walking off the field for the last time is crushing. It doesn't matter if the game is in Omaha or Walkertown the reality of the moment is harsh, especially when it seemed to come far too soon.
But what has been so well stated before, the quality of the young men, their work toward a common goal and the life lessons learned are priceless. You see your young man / men grow in ability, confidence and maturity hoping they realize how proud you are and how much you love "them", not their stats or even their performance.
We have been blessed with two great sons who happen to play baseball. We have been blessed along the way to be associated with great teammates , their great families / friends, and great coaching, and along the way have experienced many great moments and successes many would envy. When you know "they" love the game, and they know we love them ...baseball is a great game that affords all of us a lifetime of unforgetable memories.

 

Well said, Terry. The best summation I've heard in regards to a family's experience.

I'd like to add my personal feelings to this reply. You have two sons that share many traits, yet they are quite different in their nature. Kyle, in my opinion, next to Bobby Valentine of NY Mets fame was the best HS shortstop I have ever seen. His athletic skills are a gift and the game comes easily to him. Cody came into the game late because of his diverse interest, including hockey. Where Kyle expected success because of his unique gifts, Cody never allowed himself to think like that. He is the ultimate competitor that will always believe he has to outwork you. The ironic thing is because of that mindset he continues to elevate his game each year to the point he may become better than his brother--his brother is playing professional baseball.

I've always enjoyed our friendship. It's one I've always cherished.