A year ago, J was just finishing up his freshman season with the school team. He was also just a couple weeks away from the tryout that would forever change the course of his baseball career. At the end of the school season last year, J came to hubby and I and said he wanted to find a travel team to play on. We decided to contact Top Prospects to see about their travel teams and well, the rest is history. J tried out for Coach C on a sunny Saturday at the beginning of April. I don't think any of us imagined back then where we'd be a year later. J has grown so much as a player under Coach C's guidance. He's stronger, more confident, and has more clearly defined goals in terms of what he hopes to achieve in baseball.
Tonight J has his final JV game for his sophomore season. It's been a season with a lot of ups and downs. As I've stated before, J's school does not have a strong baseball program. The JV team has a record of 3 wins and 4 losses, with two games being called off due to rain in the second inning. The team alternates between playing well and giving their all, to practically forgetting how to play the game. Tonight they face their toughest opponent yet, one of the top school teams in the county. Anything can happen of course, and for J's sake, I do hope they do well and at least give a good fight. He gets so frustrated when the team plays poorly. Individually, J has had a pretty decent season. He's played well more often than not, and has really stepped up and been a team leader. J is a champion when it comes to encouraging and supporting his teammates. In fact, it is one of his finest attributes as a player. Even at the lowest points, he's still out there encouraging the team to fight to the very end.
J has had some outstanding moments this season: two doubles hit in one game, great plays at first and third base, and a decent run at short stop, which is not a position he normally plays. He's also had some not so outstanding moments: strikeouts, bad throws, and missed balls. It's all part of the game, and it all contributes to making J the player he is and will become.
So what's next? Coach C will be home from college for the summer at the end of April. TP practices will start the first week in May with the first tournament being played the first weekend in June. J can't wait. He's missed Coach C and he's missed playing on a quality, competitive team, which TP is. The coming of the summer season also signals J's next step in the program Coach C has tailored for him. One of the biggest steps will be his attendance at a couple of showcases in the coming months. Coach C recently mentioned a couple he would like J to attend. I'm just waiting to receive the details from him so I can make the arrangements. For those that don't know, a showcase is an event where J will be just that, showcased for the college scouts. I can't tell you exactly what it entails since we've never gone to one, but that's the general idea. J will have the opportunity to showcase his talent and skill for the people who can make all the difference in his baseball future. It's a nerve wracking prospect for all of us. I know he'll give it his all and that everything that's meant to happen will happen.
A year ago I never could have imagined the strides J would make as a player. He's completed two seasons of his high school career, he's earned a spot on a highly competitive team that enables him to continue to develop and grow as a player, and he's developed a keen focus on achieving the dream that's been a part of him since he was four years old. Most importantly, he's been able to forge a true and lasting friendship with someone who believes in him and is dedicated to helping him achieve that dream. Once again, I have to thank Coach C for everything he's done and continues to do for J. I often think of J as a diamond in the rough with Coach C polishing him til he shines. Sometimes I picture what it will be like when J plays in his first college baseball game. (I think positively, when not if) I can picture the grin that will be on J's face as he takes the field. I can hear the cheers of the crowd. And I can picture the huge cheering section J will have. Hubby, N, A, Coach C and I. His grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Our nearest and dearest friends. I know without a doubt that I'll cry and that my heart will nearly burst with pride.
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