What is your routine at games?

After posting both starting lineups in my scorebook I go to the concession stand and get 2 hot dogs with chili and mustard, a bag of popcorn, and a Mountain Dew. Then head back to the pressbox.

 

Now to clarify. I don't have a son. Had daughters. I am sure my response would mirror some of those mentioned if the circumstance was different. I would probably be setting in the stands eating through the whole game to calm my nerves. Hats off to the parents of baseball players.

 

Experience and a Smirk

You certainly have more experience with this than I do. And I can see you smirking from here.

 

We would get out of the car and would not even look at each other or speak. It is time to go to work! I would give him a fist pound, and tell him " Have Fun, Reek HAVOC!" SON reponds "OK" Most of the time he responded with a good day at the plate and the field.

It seems that when I stopped sweating & worrying over the game, he would just relax and play. There comes a time when we have to let go and know that we have taught them well. I finally told him that I would no longer be his coach, or technical advisor, unless he asked. That really has worked out well for us. I guess we will find out with our first real scrimage tomorrow.

 

They learn and we learn

Its a learning process that we all go through. As they get older and more mature I believe the best thing we can do is just leave them alone and let them play the game. Its their gig not ours anyway. I remember my son as a freshman playing varsity. Early in his first season in hs I would offer advice after every ab "Stay back , dont worry about the fastball sit on the off speed stuff." I bet he hit 50 bombs over the 3rd base dugout that year. But I soon learned that the only way he was ever going to really learn was to back out of the way and let him go through the learning process. Year by year he continued to make adjustments and of course grow up and mature in the game. I dont say anything I just let him play the game. I have learned if he wants some advice he will ask for it. If he doesnt ask for it I figure he's fine so leave him alone. If he does I give it.

Kids put enough pressure on themselves to succeed. I dont believe they need anyone especially their dad putting anymore on top of what they already put on themselves. Let it be fun. Lose yourself in the game and you will have fun as well. jmho

 

The man they call, "blue"? Shoot, I thought you were going to say,( and you should have said ) "the man upstairs"........cause brotha, you need his help....almost as much as me.

 

wellllllllll

frankly before I retired ah hm I made sure to take a dump!
(at least I ll admit to it!)

 

Now that I can catch only a few starts during the season I try to get to the ball field early to talk to Ryan a little before he gets ready for his warm ups.

During the game I am a wreck...the ones of you that know me understand what I mean.....I can't sit still, I can't talk, and I have to be up walking around on every pitch....once he comes off the mound I am able to sit and enjoy the game.

On regular games I try to hang out with Braves hoping to "scarf" one of his hotdogs during the game.

 

Rich Park

I imagine alot of you have been to Rich Park in Mocksville at one time or another. Since I sit on my rear end behind a computer all day, my "lucky" spot is standing at the wall in front of the concession stand. First thing ofcourse is a Cheerwine in a cup of ice. If he is pitching, none of those good ole hot dogs are allowed until either game over or he comes out, but I prefer game over, lol. Also, if he is pitching, I stand in the middle of the wall, right behind the plate, for a better look at those "balls" that always seem to be on the outside corners If he is playing short or third, I stand to the right of the wall. Maybe I should invest in a lawn chair and sit out on the hill instead of looking thru the fencing

 

I talked to the "man upstairs" when i was at east cobb with you and that crazy man from WH standing beside me, my reputation has not recovered yet.