What A Difference A Year Makes

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.

1st Coast Twirling Competition

This weekend A competed in her second twirling competition.  We traveled to Jacksonville Friday afternoon and spent the night since we had to report to the competition venue by 8:15 AM.  My mom and dad accompanied us with hubby staying behind due to work.  The boys stayed home as well though they will be attending the state competition in May.  A loves staying in hotels and she was very excited to get to do so with her team.  Everyone went out to dinner together Friday evening, then the girls got in some practice and hung out in the pool.  If A could have had her way, we would have had the entire team for a big sleepover in our room! Staying with the baton team really wasn't much different than staying with TP.  Kids having a good time together, sometimes being a little too loud, and building team memories.  Instead of wiffle ball being played behind the hotel there was twirling practice.

Early yesterday morning, we got up, enjoyed the breakfast provided by the hotel, and got A ready.  For those  wondering if baton competition is anything like a Toddlers and Tiaras beauty pageant, let me assure you, it isn't.  (Aunt K this is for you!) I'm not into baby beauty pageants, no offense to anyone who is, and would never have A participate in anything I felt was not in her best interest.  Baton competition consists of group numbers, solos, marching, and modeling.  The modeling is very low key and entirely optional.  The girls do wear makeup, but I have yet to see anything  over the top or not age appropriate.  A's makeup consists of a little neutral eye shadow, mascara, and neutral lipstick.  She loves getting to dress up in her various costumes and outfits.

For this competition, A was in two group numbers.  She was in a group pom pom routine with several other girls, all of various ages.  They took first place for their routine, as they did at the last competition.  She was also in a twirl routine trio with her friends H and E.  They began working on Boot Scootin Baby about 6 weeks ago and this was their first time performing it.  They also took first place.  Several of the other group routines our team performed also took first place.

A was entered into three title events for this competition.  Strut Queen, for which she modeled a baseball dress costume, and performed both basic and military marching  She took second place for that.  For Queen she modeled an aqua and white tea length gown, and won first place.  For Diva she modeled a  sportswear outfit and also took first place.  In each of these categories she was competing against one other contestant.  She got a crown and sash for Queen and Diva and spent the remainder of the afternoon wearing two crowns on her head.

In May, the state twirling competition is coming up.  In fact, I need to sit down this week and figure out A's entries and get the form turned in.  I imagine she'll enter pretty much the same things she did this time.  She loves baton.  Her coaches, S and her daughter J, are wonderful.  So are the other girls on the team  They range in age from 6 on up to 17.  The older girls are terrific with the younger girls and there's a real sense of team camaraderie.  A can't wait til the next competition when her daddy and brothers will come to see her twirl.  I've included some photos from yesterday below.

Her costume for Boot Scootin Baby

                                 She loves this dress and thinks it would be perfect for a prom.

                                                   She's got the sassy modeling pose down.

                                           My little twirler after receiving her Queen and Diva awards.

Still Crushing

Several months ago, I wrote a post about A having her first crush on Coach C, Her First Big Crush.  In the months since then, A has continued to crush on Coach C, providing us with a lot of laughs along the way.  In her usual sassy style, A has decided Coach C is the one for her.  She writes him letters at school, has me deliver messages via text and Facebook, has a framed snapshot of the two of them in her room, and enjoys every opportunity she gets to see him.  We're never quite sure what she might say or do.  The last time Coach C was  at the house, she went into her room and came out dressed in a fancy dress and shoes, wearing jewelry, and carrying a purse.  She then went outside, knocked on the door, and when hubby answered, announced she was there to pick Coach C  up for a date.  The two of them ate apple dumplings at the kitchen table along with N, hubby, and I.  It's a wonder none of us choked trying not to laugh.  She accompanied hubby and I to UF when J attended camp in December, and was thrilled to spend nearly the entire day with Coach C after not seeing him for several  months.  She often claims the two of them will be getting married, and has planned the wedding down to the last detail.  In case you're wondering, the wedding cake will be yellow with vanilla frosting, the TP boys will serve as groomsmen, Coach K will be best man, and two of my friends will be bridesmaids.  The color scheme will be blue and orange since Coach C is a Gator fan. I manage to listen to all of these plans with a straight face, but once out of her sight, I admit to laughing til I cry.  She's just so innocent and cute and I get a kick out of watching her in the throes of her first crush.

You might be wondering how Coach C feels at finding himself the object of A's affections.  At first he was shocked, especially after hubby revealed A's crush by asking him if his intentions were honorable.  That's a story for another post! Once the shock wore off, Coach C has been a terrific sport, humoring A by playing along and always being conscientious of her tender little heart.  He's a wonderful friend to her, and I'm glad her first crush is on someone as terrific as Coach C.  He takes all of hubby's razzing about the situation with good humor, and treats A like a little queen.  The day before her birthday, she announced to me that she couldn't wait to talk to Coach C the next day.  She was sure he'd be calling since it  was her birthday.  After a quick text from me giving him a heads up, he did exactly that, making my baby girl's birthday extra special.  J has gotten past his initial embarrassment over A's crush and laughs along with the  rest of us.  He also helps keep her crush a closely guarded secret from the team.  If it were to become common knowledge, Coach C would never have any peace.  The boys  would razz him unmercifully, so we keep it on the down low with the team.

A is currently disappointed because Coach C is unable to come over for  dinner while he's home on Spring Break.  Between his schedule and ours, it just didn't work out and she spent a short time being pouty and sad.  But in true A style, she perked up quickly and started making plans for the next time Coach C is home. She can also accompany me to the parent meeting for TP this weekend and give Coach C the hug hubby refused to deliver at work. I've included a few photos of A and Coach C below.

    

One Heck of A Game

As everyone knows by now, J plays for the JV team at his high school.  Unfortunately, J's high school does not have the strongest baseball program around, either JV or varsity.  So far this season, both teams have only one win apiece.  However, J is determined to make the best of things and approaches each game with the attitude that this game will be different.  The JV team is young, has a new new coach, and to be honest, is a little rough around the edges.  They've been working extremely hard though and last night their efforts paid off with their first win.  They beat their cross town rivals 4-3 in a nail biter of a game. J's team led the opposing team for the first four innings, not allowing them to score any runs.  In the fifth inning the opposing team fought back and managed to score three runs, leaving J's team with only a one run lead.  Things were tense going into the 7th inning, but J's team managed to shut down the opponent and win the game, not even needing to take their final at bat as home team.  Every player really stepped up their game and gave their all, earning the victory as a team.

J personally had an outstanding game, scoring two of the four runs, including the first of the game, going 1 for 2 with a walk hitting, and making a couple of great plays.  My favorite was the diving catch he made of a foul ball while playing first base.  He caught the ball as he hit the ground and came up grinning from ear to ear as he displayed the ball in his glove.  He came off the field sweaty, covered in red dirt and grass stains, exuberant about the win.   The coach presented him with one of the two game balls he gave out, citing J's strength at the plate and the excellent way he played two field positions, third base and first base.  The other game ball went to the pitcher, who pitched an excellent game, with a high number of strikeouts.

I love when J has a game like this.  I love seeing the pure, unfiltered joy on his face as he plays this game he loves so much.  He was especially happy to get to play first base last night.  He's a versatile player who can usually deliver wherever the coach needs him  But first base is truly where his heart is and it's where he shines.  He had added reason to play well last night.  J loves a cheering section and he had a huge one for this game.  Not only were hubby, N, A, and I there, but so were my parents and brother, which is usually the case.  His girlfriend A was also in attendance, along with her mom, sister, and brother.  My two friends, G and C came with their kids, and our friend D, who was in town from North Carolina, was also there.  J was especially excited to have D there, since it was the first time he'd ever gotten to see him play.  The only one missing was Coach C, who J had hoped could come since he's on Spring Break this week.  However, Coach C's JV team that he coaches also had a game last night, so he wasn't able to head home until it was over.  We'll be seeing Coach C this weekend at the TP parent/player meeting though, so I'm sure J will tell him all about the game then.  All right, I confess to texting him the highlights last night, and hubby is probably blabbing as we speak since Coach C is now working at hubby's store on a part time basis over school breaks.  But he'll still be glad to hear all the details from J and will be just as proud of him as we are.

J's school team has five games left on their schedule.  After that, he'll be returning to the pool to swim for the club team for the rest of the spring and summer.  And he'll be getting ready for the TP tournament season, which is right around the corner.  First meeting this weekend, with practices likely to start in May once Coach C is home from college for the summer.   If you live close enough or happen to be visiting this summer, plan on joining us for a game or two.   

Dream Birthday Celebration

J's birthday was at the beginning of the month.  Originally he wanted to have a big blowout party to celebrate turning 16.  Hubby and I were okay with that plan, but then we came up with an alternative that appealed to J far more than a big party.  A trip to UF to see a college baseball game.  We let him invite a few friends; he chose his girlfriend A, his best friend R, and of course, Coach C.  N and A stayed home with my mom while my dad joined us.  We made the drive to UF and met Coach C for lunch prior to the game.  J has been to several pro games to see his beloved Yankees play, but it was the first time he'd attended a college game.  Actually, it was the first time any of us, with the exception of Coach C, had been to a college game.  The day was beautiful weather wise, the game was excellent, and everyone had a good time.  Following that game, we attended a game at the high school where Coach C is a coach.  Our friends K and K were able to join us with their three kids, and again, we all had a good time.  Oh, both the Gators and Coach C's team won their games!

The best part of the day for me was watching J enjoy himself so much.  And seeing the dreams so clearly reflected in his eyes.  Sitting in the stadium I know J was picturing himself down on the field, living his dream.  He's worked hard for the past 27 weeks on his training program and hopefully yesterday inspired him to continue his efforts at achieving his goals.  Coach C did bust him for slacking some the past few weeks on his eating program, which made me laugh, and J vow to make a renewed commitment to not only his eating plan, but his entire program.  If he continues to work hard and stay focused, in a few short years we could all be attending another college baseball game.  Only this time, J will be down on the field, playing his heart out while all the people who love and support him cheer him on from the stands.

Differing Opinions

During J's years in baseball, we've encountered many different coaches, players, and parents.  Naturally, there have been some we've liked and some we haven't.  I'll go so far as to say there have been a few I absolutely could not stand.  One of the challenges of being a baseball parent is trying to find the right team and coach.  Not all players will be suited to every team or every coach.  This can be for a variety of reasons, personality differences, coaching styles, playing styles, etc.  The trick is to find the right balance for your son and help him make the best decisions he can for his future in baseball.  While trying to find that balance, many times we've run up against other players and parents with differing opinions on particular teams or coaches.  This first happened when J was still playing Little League, around age 10.  My dad was still his coach back then.  He and J loved it, and at the time, it was the best possible situation for J.  My dad was the type of coach whose main focus was teaching the fundamentals of the game and the kids having fun.  He truly didn't care if they won or lost as long as the kids came away with knowledge and love of the game of baseball.  Some parents didn't care for that philosophy and made their feelings known.  Loudly and often rudely.  There were times my mother and I would be sitting in the stands during games  having to listen to someone beside us say unkind things about my dad.  It hurt us, it hurt J, and it hurt my dad.  I had some people be so bold as to tell me to my face I was making a mistake letting J continue to be coached by my dad.  I learned to just ignore it and continue to do what I felt was best for my son.  Once J hit age 13, my dad stopped coaching.  He still helped out but he didn't want to have the responsibility of managing a team anymore.  The next few years were okay.  Then J got to high school and the coaches there were nice enough, but not tough enough in my opinion.  There were times it was very frustrating and we spent a lot of time discussing it in our own home.   I refrained from sharing my opinion with other parents at the field because I fully realized that many of them likely had a different viewpoint than I did.  This season, too, there have been many discussions between hubby and I about the less than savory aspects of high school baseball.   J also has  TP, and well, regular readers of this blog know how we feel about Coach C.  Yet a few times recently, hubby and I have found ourselves in the position of realizing that other parents don't  have the same respect and admiration for Coach C as we do.  And since I love Coach C like one of my own kids, I tend to get fired up, just like I used to when people put down my dad.  Hubby always stays calm and reasonable and never lets his irritation show.  He recently stood calmly listening to another dad tell him why he shouldn't think Coach C is a good coach, all the while thinking to himself, "This will be a funny story to share the next time Coach C is at the house for dinner."  I get a lot more upset when things like this occur, though I've managed to remain diplomatic and bite my tongue during these conversations, while at the same time making my position very clear.  Don't hate on my kid or his coach! I guess the point to this post is that it's normal and okay for us all to have different opinions.  We also all are trying to make the best choices for our son's baseball future.  While doing so, it's important not to put down the choices others are making.  I strive hard not to do that and would hope that all parents would extend the same courtesy.

Number Four

J, like many baseball players, tends to be very superstitious about his number.  I've written previously about the origin of his number, 27.  Unfortunately when school jerseys were handed out this week, there was no number 27.  J's usual back up plan if 27 is not available is to get either number 2 or number 7.  Well, 2 is retired at his school and there was no 7.  At this point he was looking a bit like a deer caught in headlights at the prospect of not having his number.  His next idea was to at least get the number of a Yankee player, past or present.  He tried on number 14 and still didn't seem happy.  Then the coach pulled out the number 4 and I suggested to J that he try that one.  4 was the number of a very famous Yankee, Lou Gehrig, whose story has significance to our family.  My grandmother had ALS, or Lou Gehrig's Disease as it is commonly known.  Gehrig's story is both sad and inspirational, and it's one that J has known from a young age.

Sadly, my grandmother passed away nearly 21 years ago, so J never knew her.  She and I were extremely close and it's always made me sad that my children never got to know her.  I know she would have loved them dearly.  I also believe that she watches over us all and is with us always in spirit.  So when J tried on the number 4 jersey and said he liked the way it fit and that he'd take that one, I took it as a sign.  A sign that the great grandmother he never knew is watching over him and will be with him every time he steps onto the field.   4 may not be his usual number, but it will do quite nicely for this season.  And even once he's back playing for TP with a 27 on his back, I know that my grandmother will still be watching over him as he continues on his journey.