Well, beat the drum and hold the phone - the sun came out today!
We're born again, there's new grass on the field.
A-roundin' third, and headed for home, it's a brown-eyed handsome man;
anyone can understand the way I feel.
(Centerfield. John Fogerty, 1985)
(Centerfield. John Fogerty, 1985)
The 2007 summer baseball season is over.
Can you say it with me please?
A-friggin-men!!!
I’m just not cut out for being a “Bleacher Mom”.
Holy crap, I’m a nervous wreck when Nick goes up to bat.
“Load up Nick, good eye Nick, hit the ball Nick” I plead.
God I would hate to be my own mother, I’d shoot me!
And when he heads out onto the field… oh boy,
My stomach literally turns.
“Please don’t hit him the ball, pleeeez!!!
In all fairness to the kid, we’ve done little to help his ability thus far.
Other than dropping him off at practice and bringing him to the batting cages occasionally, Mike and I have rarely worked with him on his skill set this summer.
He’s lucky to have Mr. Don across the street though.
Don will notice Nicky out there throwing the ball up against the house and ask him to play a game of catch.
He thinks nothing of taking the time and hauling Nick up to the high school for some batting instruction.
Don praises Nick and encourages him to practice hard and believe in himself.
We’re all lucky to have Mr. Don!
Unfortunately in today’s world of sports, that’s just not enough.
Youth sports are big business.
I cringe at the thought of what we spent on Jordie’s volleyball habit last year; this year promises to be worse.
But Jordan made a commitment to the sport and to us and she’s “Charlie Hustle” out on that court.
For that, we’ve made a commitment to her: our time and money.
Nick is now (with baseball) where Jordan was with volleyball 2 years ago.
To compete, he’ll need to bring his game to the next level.
And to do so it will take some jack.
Camps, hitting instructors, strength training…
Some of his little buddies take “baseball lessons” year round!
Who knew?!?
Time and money can be managed.
You get up earlier, go to bed later.
You rob Peter to pay Paul.
Although not easy, they are manageable.
Heart is the real commodity here.
Jordan is hungry when she’s on the court.
She wants to play hard and win.
You can’t teach that and you can’t buy that.
Nick’s just not the competitive type.
He’s humble and still thinks baseball is a game.
And games are supposed to be fun.
"Got a beat-up glove, a homemade bat, and brand-new pair of shoes;
You know I think it's time to give this game a ride."
This season was a ride alright.
We had a great (and patient) coach, a successful season (making it to the championship game), and Nicky did improve his skills.
Just like the pro’s I guess…
We’ll rest for the winter and re-evaluate the situation come spring.
In the meantime…
I think I’ll buy him a guitar.
Oh Lord, kumbaya!
