Second Son Experience

Money talks Checks bounce

Gee...I thought grandfather's always carried cash!!!!

 

not sure, I'll ask Southy

 

Time Has Flown By

Yes, the time has flown by. It doesn't seem right that my oldest is 19. It seems like just last year he was 7 like the younger one. The oldest has this year and then 2 more years of college ball. I'm sure that is where his playing days will end. If the younger keeps playing I will keep right on going but I will miss watching the oldest play. It has been a true blessing. If the younger does keep going it will be a double blessing for me as far as baseball. I don't know what our lives would have been like without it. One thing I do know is that I would have alot more money, but I would not trade it all for a million dollars. We have made so many friends that I call my baseball family. They have all watched the little one grow up and some have told us they are jealous we get to keep going with "Baby Nate" as he is known by hundreds of our baseball family.

Maybe about the time the younger stops playing I can start to watch the grandkids play. Braves, I feel your pain. A couple of weeks ago at my Grandmama's funeral people would come thru the family line and if I didn't introduce the boys fast as my boys they thought Nate was my Grandson. It wasn't funny.

 

we all learn...

With two boys there is always the learning curve..
Oldest boy has to learn from scratch while the younger is a little sponge getting the benifit to learn with out criticism and just trying to prove he is a big boy.
Dad has to learn how to coach.. not play... not relate to how he played.. but that young kids are blank slates and it is our job to make the game into something they want to play and stick with.
My first coaching experience was very frustrating on my son due to unrealistic expectations from his coach( me).
If the realationship survives the first few years it is one of the best things a father and a son can experience. The second son is easier because dad learned that it's all about Teaching and having fun.
My oldest son Played through Legion and recieved a soccer Scholarship and walked on the baseball team in College.. I can only hope my second son who is a JR in HS is as fortunate if that is what he wants.

 

Two sons: Oldest obssessed with baseball, driven, and very succesful. Youngest (three years younger) more athletic but also very layed back and unconcerned about winning or being very good at it. Here is what I learned. All the credit I took for developing the perfect baseball son had very little to do with me and everything to do with the makeup of the kid. And here is he really important thing I learned: BOTH WAYS OF PLAYING THE GAME ARE OK at the early ages. Both got what they wanted out of the game.
My oldest is playing college ball now. The youngest stopped playing sports at about age 14 and never discovered other ways to spend his time. He is a very good student, popular, and outgoing.
Here is the good part: my oldest who would kill to be an great athlete is 5-10 and about 160 and can't run a lick. My younger son who doesn't play is 6-5, 185, and runs like a gazelle. God's little practical joke on me, huh?

 

Man made offspring

Sounds like you are proud of both of them so all is well. My daughter got all the speed in my house and uses it to run away from the boys while my son could have used it on the basepaths. I blame my darling wife!!

 

One Son - One Chance

I only get one chance at this. We hug a lot and I've learned to do my baseball teaching one-on-one when it is just the two of us.

On the other hand I don't regret the practice makes perfect approach we use together. He understands that after talent comes dedication and commitment.

I have really enjoyed this thread and hope to gain some valuable insight from it because (with only one son) I won't get a second chance.

 

Other Hobbies

If you have a good relationship with your son and you love being around him you also need to make sure you have some other common hobbies. When the baseball ends will you be hanging out with your son like you are now? Not if you don't have some other common interests because he will take off on his own adventures and leave you behind. Not that he doesn't need to have these adventures but you don't want him to take off and only come to see you once or twice a year.

Over the years there have not been enough hunting or fishing trips because there was always baseball games or practice. I think my son is going to try to take this summer off from ball to just have some fun. He might change his mind when the time comes though because he is missing baseball after about a week when each season ends. When I say the summer that only means he won't play summer wood bat.

I am facing the day pretty soon when my oldest will be through with baseball and getting on with his life. I still want to be a part of it. If you can take your son fishing, hunting or any other activity that you can do together, do it! Don't worry about how much it costs or the time it takes just do it or the next thing you know he will be grown and gone. That goes for your daughters too.

I can't imagine my life without my boys playing ball but that day is coming. I will not take to the empty nest very well. And my poor wife! She will have to talk to me then.

 

Where did my son go?

WOW....this is for sure great advice and very thought provoking.