quote:

Not all of them - just a few who obviously stick out like a sore thumb. Makes you wonder why? Ok.. We get it, your kids got scholarships! THEY earned it. Now a new crop is coming here and for whatever reason, it seems some of the old timers feel that their "space" is being violated. Geez, you helped your kid get a scholarship - It's been done thousands of times.. But he did the important stuff. Cure cancer and then I will be impressed!

OUCH!

I will repeat my prior post:

Personally - I rarely thought about "how good he was".

I usually just thought about whether he was good enough to hit the next pitch - or catch the next one hit to him.

Sometimes - he was - and sometimes he wasnt.

Then I went home.



Heres the other truth - noone that matters in this game really cares about what YOU think about your kid's ability.
It is useless information.

And they are right to feel that way. The only thing that matters is what he/she does on the field - whereever that might be. IMO.

quote:

Heres the other truth - noone that matters in this game really cares about what YOU think about your kid's ability.
It is useless information

itsinthegame,

If that's directed towards me, that wasn't the intent of my post. I thought I summarized in the last paragraph or two.

It is directed towards everyone.

Its called "My opinion".

They can agree - or disagree - at their will.

batdad25,

" Geez, you helped your kid get a scholarship - It's been done thousands of times.. But he did the important stuff. "

I'm not sure if I will express this right, but I wanted to reply to your comment which was directed to some of the "Old Timers".

Actually, a surprising number of the Old Timers posting here have sons whose baseball careers have continued into professional baseball. You may not be aware of which posters fit in that category (Fungo is one), because they tend not to shout "Hey, listen to me, my son plays pro ball!" But I do listen to them, and think that their advice and experiences are especially valuable.

The questions asked by "newbie" members and parents of pre-high schoolers and high schoolers are important and welcome here. But the answers that come from parents whose sons have made it to the level that is only a dream for most, are very, very valuable. I sure hate to see someone being so rude to them for their willingness to help!

Julie

Sorry to ruffle your feathers itsinthegame. wow!!
I guess what I think is a positive post might be offensive to others!

My intent-

I guess the message I'm trying convey here is not that my son has or lacks talent because obviously I'm not a very good judge of that, but that no matter what kind of parent category you fall into, we all want what's best for our child. Whether it's rose colored glasses, middle of the pack, or a child you may underestimate, in the end, their talent and a little luck are going to take them as far as it's meant to take them. Sit back and enjoy, if your child is having fun and is happy, nothing else matters!

You arent ruffling anything. (All my feathers fell out many years ago - LOL)

I am just giving you my opinion - in cyberspace.
You seem to be interpreting that in an unusual way.

And this topic is now - officially - boring the hell out of me.
LOL

quote:

Originally posted by MN-Mom:
batdad25,

" Geez, you helped your kid get a scholarship - It's been done thousands of times.. But he did the important stuff. "

I'm not sure if I will express this right, but I wanted to reply to your comment which was directed to some of the "Old Timers".

Actually, a surprising number of the Old Timers posting here have sons whose baseball careers have continued into professional baseball. You may not be aware of which posters fit in that category (Fungo is one), because they tend not to shout "Hey, listen to me, my son plays pro ball!" But I do listen to them, and think that their advice and experiences are especially valuable.

The questions asked by "newbie" members and parents of pre-high schoolers and high schoolers are important and welcome here. But the answers that come from parents whose sons have made it to the level that is only a dream for most, are very, very valuable. I sure hate to see someone being so rude to them for their willingness to help!

Julie

I agree.. but I stand behind my original post. I don't think I was being rude, Just honest. Sometimes people need to hear what they need to hear, not what they want to hear. Sugar coating the truth accomplishes nothing.

This is not meant to be rude, but I agree the only thing that matters is a players performance on the field and what others think who want him to play for them.

As parents our opinions of our players mean nothing to anyone but ourselves.

But that doesn't mean that you should not be your players biggest fan and supposrt him on his journey.

I care about how good I think my Son is. It is how I am able to enjoy watching him play. I believe that he will catch the ball, or hit the ball, whether he does or not...I believe in my Son's ability, together we share the dream, it brings us together and gives me an excuse to spend time with him as we travel to a game or practice.

This however has absolutely no bearing on whether or not he will play in the next game, or for that matter at the next level. That is out of my control or ability to influence. What I believe about my Son's skills and ability is irrelevent. It is fun for me and perhaps helpful to encourage my Son, but has no bearing on what opportunities present themselves or do not present themselves to my Son.

I believe that this is all that itsinthegame was trying to say. How we see ourselves is interesting and probably good to be aware of, mainly so we do not embarass our sons, which is somthing that I know I have been guilty of.

floridafan,
I also believe that was what itsinthegame was saying and what I was trying to agree with.

We all care about each others son's and support each other through the good times and bad. But in the scheme of things, generally, parents, family and friends have little to do with a players success.
Thanks.

I believe "its" and fungo really have it right.
While it is "your" or "my" or "our" son, their ability to play the game is,likely in travel ball, college and beyond, for the first time, truly being evaluated objectively.
No matter how hard any parent might try, they cannot impact a college coach and especially cannot impact those making decisions in Milb,or those scouting whether the player can play Milb.
To turn this around, every one of our sons, as they play baseball, open their skill level to evaluation by others. The higher they progress, the more and better the scrutiny and analysis.
How many of us ever are judged in our work in an open forum in the way we do our job. How many would ever care/risk such a judgment. If my son ever watched me do my job, I expect he would be my biggest fan and think I am great.
But my clients and co-workers actually know better than he does. They will make, hopefully, impartial judgments as to whether I can do the job, whether I can do it well,and whether the expense is justified.
The same is true in baseball. Eventually, it is all talent and it really doesn't matter whether Mom and Dad "know."
The sooner Mom and Dad realize that we are so lucky to get to watch our son's "work," and the fact it is an opportunity very few parents ever get, the happier I think we might be.
It actually is such fun when you can watch and enjoy their talents as a player rather than "worrying" or "judging" the extent of that talent. When you recognize very few of us would ever risk having "fans' or relatives "judge how well we do our job, we should accept our son's don't need such worry or scrutiny in their pursuit of being a baseball player.
From the father of a son who likely will never have another AB, or make a diving play on a screaming line drive, I sure hope each Mother and Father can learn to treasure what their son's risk when they play each and every game and trust that, no matter what Mom/Dad want or believe, their son's talent will take them as far as baseball, or their health, will permit.
We, as parents, are truly blessed we get a chance to "enjoy" the process. Why ruin it with worry about whether we "really know" when we never do?

While it may be self-gratifying to know how good my son really is it is far less important than him knowing how good he can become.

quote:

I believe "its" and fungo really have it right.
While it is "your" or "my" or "our" son, their ability to play the game is,likely in travel ball, college and beyond, for the first time, truly being evaluated objectively.
No matter how hard any parent might try, they cannot impact a college coach and especially cannot impact those making decisions in Milb,or those scouting whether the player can play Milb.
To turn this around, every one of our sons, as they play baseball, open their skill level to evaluation by others. The higher they progress, the more and better the scrutiny and analysis.
How many of us ever are judged in our work in an open forum in the way we do our job. How many would ever care/risk such a judgment. If my son ever watched me do my job, I expect he would be my biggest fan and think I am great.
But my clients and co-workers actually know better than he does. They will make, hopefully, impartial judgments as to whether I can do the job, whether I can do it well,and whether the expense is justified.
The same is true in baseball. Eventually, it is all talent and it really doesn't matter whether Mom and Dad "know."
The sooner Mom and Dad realize that we are so lucky to get to watch our son's "work," and the fact it is an opportunity very few parents ever get, the happier I think we might be.
It actually is such fun when you can watch and enjoy their talents as a player rather than "worrying" or "judging" the extent of that talent. When you recognize very few of us would ever risk having "fans' or relatives "judge how well we do our job, we should accept our son's don't need such worry or scrutiny in their pursuit of being a baseball player.
From the father of a son who likely will never have another AB, or make a diving play on a screaming line drive, I sure hope each Mother and Father can learn to treasure what their son's risk when they play each and every game and trust that, no matter what Mom/Dad want or believe, their son's talent will take them as far as baseball, or their health, will permit.
We, as parents, are truly blessed we get a chance to "enjoy" the process. Why ruin it with worry about whether we "really know" when we never do?

A classic commentary!

With no apologies for burning the bandwidth.

quote:

Originally posted by Bum:
While it may be self-gratifying to know how good my son really is it is far less important than him knowing how good he can become.

Bum, thank you! I think you hit the real key here.

I would add that it can be important for me to know how good my son is (or can become) if only in the context of assisting him in finding that out for himself.

My son hung up the cleats after community ball. Normally, we let our kids make their own choices. But, something inside made me delve into his reasons. Turns out he did not think he was good enough for HS baseball and did not even try out. I asked if he still loves the game. He replied "yes". So, I made a deal that I'd send him to a college camp and let him experience a higher level of baseball (and away from "Daddy Ball"). If he didn't like it or think that he could do it, that would be fine. Well, to make a long story short, he went to the camp, learned a ton, played well and he came back with a passion that continues to "fire" to this day. My only regret was that I was not a little more proactive earlier in his career... then again, he probably wasn't ready for the choice before that.

Sorry for the ramble. But, I definitely see it more a matter of how our sons see themselves. Thanks, Bum.

If you really want to know how good your son is, go to some of the D1 college websites. Pick some random players on the roster, read their bio's, see what they've accomplished in high school(grades, awards, etc.)If your son can compare with some of the players, then I'd say they are pretty good in my book.
I showed my son the North Carolina roster when he was a freshman. He read some of the bio's of the players, and what they did in high school. A real eye opener, but I'm proud to say since then, he's been an honor student,student of the month, made the varsity team as a sophmore, he's been really bustin his butt.
I don't think most of the kids or parents for that matter, realize how good 'GOOD' is.

infielddad great post,but i'm afraid most won't get it right away.


my question would be, why do you want to know how good your son is? if it's just for you, you already know. if it's for any other reason YOU don't need to know. other people do, take him to them and let them decide. showcase's ,college camps, etc.

enjoy the journey it goes by quicker than you think. teach them to appreciate every day on the baseball field.


my favorite quote. play every game as if it's your last one, some day you'll be right.

quote:

I don't think most of the kids or parents for that matter, realize how good 'GOOD' is.

Get them to go watch games live at each level of college ball to see for themselves.

Agreed that you really need to look up a notch if you want to know how your own player stacks up. In high school, my brother was the best pitcher in the league (this is Michigan)....thought he was wonderful. We had never seen a college game, though.

He went to Yavapai JC in Arizona, and was very low in the rotation and ended up being cut his soph year. I saw guys play at Yavapai that were SOOOOO much better than anyone in our high school league, bar none. Amazing players....and get this -- in the end not one of them went pro. One guy played MiLB for a year or two, but that was it for all of them. THAT's how good you have to be. There are eye-openers waiting to be reserached which will help temper a parent's evaluation of their own ikid's abilities -- but only if the parent is willing to remove the RCG's before looking.