Baseball

[drillman88]

It's that time of year again.
My son started baseball last week. He and I have been really looking forward to the season.He loves playing baseball more than anything else. I have to admit it is a little selfish on my part, we spend more time together during the season than at any other time, I also help coach the team and get a lot of enjoyment from that as well.They are at a great age, 13-14 year olds, that are fairly competent.So a little fine tuning and practice are usually all that is needed.It makes for long days with 12 hour shifts the 2 1/2 hours of practice, so if I don't show any projects you know where my time is going.
Last year he made the Allstar team , the season ran from March to July. So we will be busy for a few months.

[JR]

When I was that age I played baseball in some form or other all day, every day. Until it just got too hot, and we'd go jump in the pool. Oh, how I long for those days.

Have fun.

JR

[Ed62]

You won't regret spending the time with him. My kids have kids of their own now, but I remember them playing Little League and Babe Ruth like it was yesterday. Yes, I was also one of the guys who spent a lot of time coaching and working on the field. Never regretted it.

Ed

[master53yoda]

the time you spend with your son at that age and until the fumes get him (perfume and gasoline) is the most important think you could do.


What would have as much or more value to him latter in his live would be getting him into woodworking, and the outdoors like hiking or fishing because they don't dwindle in later years as the baseball does.

One of my sons greatest memories was a 4 day spring break that we spent stuck on a lake fishing and dealing with a storm that prevented us from getting out in the canoes until a couple days latter then planned. That was when he was 13 and we still share it 20 years later, along with backpacking and snow camping.

[drillman88]

He enjoys deer hunting with me, however, he hasnt shown any interest in woodworking as of yet. I don't try to force anything on my children.That only leads to problems. When he is ready I will show him what little I know, but until then I am happy trying to do what he is interested in.

[Uncle Cracker]

Yup. When my kid was their age, I was taking him to Little League, and I even spent a couple days a week in umpire's gear. Now he has kids that age, and who do you think takes them to LL? That's right, me... while their lazy, unemployed lump of a father sits in front of the TV and scratches his jewels...

I sit in the stands this time around, though... I'm way to old to be puttin' on the blue again.

[Ed62]

What would have as much or more value to him latter in his live would be getting him into woodworking, and the outdoors like hiking or fishing because they don't dwindle in later years as the baseball does.

When our kids were very little, I used to take them to a small pond near the house. They would catch small bluegills and sunfish. My 2 oldest boys are now avid fishermen, and the older of them is the best fisherman I know. I like to think those little trips had something to do with it. The younger of the 2 is now involved with baseball with his kids.

Ed

[drillman88]

I think as long as they want to do anything thats keep them away from all of the negative and harmful things that are available to them I will support my children 100%.
We are very fortunate to have 2 wonderful, smart and caring children.My daughter will graduate valedictorian from a class of around 350 students this year and has been accepted into the honors program at a major state university.

[jcjrsmith]

In my son's case it was soccer. He was the Keeper, I was the coach. He just finished the indoor season, but he doesn't play outdoor anymore - he got tired of the other kids not showing up for games/practices/events/etc. Now he plays for fun, but I notice that he and I interract better than other kids his age do with their fathers. I'm glad I invested the time - definitely getting a good return on investment.

[Uncle Cracker]

- definitely getting a good return on investment.

Ya, me too... Mine returns anytime he wants me to make another investment...

[gsmittle]

Well, since we're all bragging on our kids:


Ahhh, I got nothin.'

Not really! But since this thread is about baseball, it's to baseball I'll stick. I did the coach thing, too, with my eldest while mom did the youngest. They were a little too close in age for me to do both. Both LOVE baseball, and my eldest can quote stats, players, and teams for both leagues for years in the past. (He's a bit nerdy.)

Two of my favorite memories are when my eldest was playing Tee ball and one of his friends was a left-handed hitter, the only one on the team. He watched everybody else in practice hit the ball and cross the plate to run toward first, so when it was his turn, he hit the ball, crossed the plate, and headed toward third!

My youngest was playing shortstop in a game (first grade) with the bases loaded and nobody out. Batter hits a soft liner tailing toward third. He calls it, catches the ball (all three runners took off on the hit) and since he's a couple steps from third, steps on third, doubling off the runner. Then he spins around and tags the runner from second for an unassisted triple play! Then he tossed the ball toward the mound, trotted off the field and sat down in the dugout before anybody else figured out what just happened. He got applause from the other team's parents, too.

Ahhh, the smell of baseball is in the air!

g.