Well, just got the call today. Upon preparing to return for his sophomore college year, my son has decided to hang 'em up. Can't explain it, but the old "feeling" just isn't there anymore for him.

I can't thank him enough for all the good times and all the memories.

quote:

Originally posted by HeyBatter:
Well, just got the call today. Upon preparing to return for his sophomore college year, my son has decided to hang 'em up. Can't explain it, but the old "feeling" just isn't there anymore for him.

I can't thank him enough for all the good times and all the memories.

That must hurt you some. Was your son a very good ballplayer?

Sorry to hear that HeyBatter, but as we all know everyone hangs them up someday.

All the more reason we all need to enjoy it while we can.

Thanks for sharing, all will be fine...even for Mom and Dad with alittle time.

Heybatter,

We will ALL get that call at some point with our boys and their baseball. All I can say is I hope I handle it with the same calm and sensibility that you seem to possess. Congrats to your son for making it to the collegiate playing field...and congrats to you for being such a supportive dad! Thanks for giving us a reminder to enjoy each and every minute.

HeyBatter:

I'm sorry to hear about your son's decision...I admire you for starting this thread...it could not have been easy.

As usual, on this site, you are receiving good advice...luvbb has said it much better than I could have and I agree with her completely.

This is a situation that occurs often...but probably isn't discussed much...again, thanks for sharing.

At some point do you think your son would read this thread and respond with his thoughts? There was a thread similar to this one last summer or early fall.

There was alot of discussion concerning burnout...and there was certainly no consensus regarding the topic.

I found the topic to be quite interesting.

Please keep us posted HeyBatter.

I wish my son would go fishing with me. He doesn't because he devotes most of his time to baseball. I think back of the many good times we had fishing together when he was younger. We also spent a lot of time together chasing his dream of baseball. While both are great activities for bringing parents and sons together, we both know baseballs and boats are not necessary for happiness.
Fungo

HeyBatter:

I'm sorry to hear about your son's decision...I admire you for sharing this...it could not have been easy. It may help to sit back and just respect his decision. My son quit summer ball last year after the first two weeks and took a job at Best Buy in town here. My wife and I were besides ourselves at his decision to throw this opportunity away!!! He had a good summer with his friends then three weeks before school started dusted off his equipment and started back up. School started and he feels he needed the time off as it was just too demanding with school, practice, friends, community work, training, on and on... Now he is back 24/7 Hang in there he may just need a break.
Steve

Fungo you've reminded me of something. I don't know how many times I've said it... even on here... THERE ARE MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THINGS THAN BASEBALL! The most important of those things is HAPPINESS.

HeyBatter,

I sincerely hope your son ends up with much happiness and many fond memories about baseball. Some day he might have a son and that's when he will most appreciate good old Dad, more than ever.

Hope you don't hang it up here because you can help many people by sticking around. You are now part of the majority! Everyone will be joining you at some point.

Congratulation to you and your son for having all those good times and memories. Sounds like a big success to me!

Hey Batter,

I am going to speak from the heart. I will be devastated when I get that call, but understand the "life goes on philosophy" as I am sure you do. Right now it hurts however. For what its worth, I feel bad for you but if I were to get the call today - I would be thinking about all those memories with some sorrow yet with a smile in my heart as well

I also love the idea of thanking him for the memories. These are treasures - provided by your son - that only baseball parents can enjoy.

When he was 91 years old, the great Bob Hope returned to Cleveland to sing the classic "Thanks for the Memories" when they closed old Cleveland Stadium. It is times like these that remind of that song.

Thanks to you all for your kind words and thoughts. I thought this site was the greatest when I first stumbled upon it many years ago when my son was just starting high school. I always found just amazing advice when I came here and it helped me help my son follow his dream to play college ball and he reached that dream.

Whether he'll have a change of heart or this really is it, well the end comes some day in every endeavor. Sooooooo much positive has come from his baseball experience and before it were take a negative turn, if that is where his heart was headin, it is best to put on the brakes here and with nothing but great memories.

I have to admit to being quite sad and a bit surprised by the timing, but he's a great kid and I trust his judgment and he feels he needs to do this and I am so very happy for him for the career he has had and the point he reached in baseball and where his baseball talents helped him go (travel teams, club teams, high school playoffs, showcases, all league etc. etc.-so many wonderful people we've met and admittance to a wonderful college).

As someone posted above, my hope is that you'll all enjoy every moment you get and as someone else pointed out, we all get this call someday, at some point.

It is a sad day, but hopefully a great beginning and new adventures and I sure plan to stick around here. Heck, we still love baseball and I hope I can share a thought or information here so others can have the same amazing experience we've had.

From t-ball, through little league, travel teams, scout teams, winter ball, summer ball, high school, the recruiting process and to college, wow, what a ride.
I wouldn't trade anything for the memory I'll always have of his first college at bat, a double off the centerfield fence. But hey, still a long way in life to go and hoping for lots of good stuff still ahead.

thanks again for all your good thoughts and best wishes and happy new year (and you'll still have me to kick around here )

Thank you HeyBatter for the thread and the reminder to always enjoy the moment. I wish you & your son the very best.

Hey Batter:

It's a tough call for your son to make, baseball has been a major part of his life for so long. But I'm sure you are proud of the fact he was able to recognize that he wanted to do something else it takes a man to look into himself and know what he wants.

I am sure I speak for you as well as others on this site, we love our sons and baseball is part of their lives not life itself. Our sons are more important to us as our sons rather than ball players. Good luck.

HeyBatter...your post reminded me.....that if it were to end tomorrow.....we have had a wonderful time....

Best wishes to you and your son....

HeyBatter,

When I found this site, you were one of the first posters to welcome me (doubt you even remember that). I think we also probably sat at the same ballpark in Palo Alto a couple of summers ago...not knowing each other was there. Kind of weird how I've never met you...but always felt a kind of warmth from your posts.

So since we kind of grew up together on this site...your wonderful and open post hits a little deeper with me than previous others reaching the same point. I know it must be a bit tough today...probably was even tougher for your son to call you. But you, as always, have things in a very good perspective. I really admire that. And I know your son has and will continue to benefit greatly from your mentorship and the role model you are.

Thank you for welcoming me to this site...and thank you for being so open at this time. I hope you continue to post...and I hope next time we're in the same ballpark, we somehow run into each other.

All the best!

He went out on his own terms. I don't know if that's as bad as still wanting to play and everyone else telling you you're done

Heybatter,

Thank you for your honesty all these years. I wish the best for your son and hope you stick around this place.

I am sure your son will take the many great lessons he learned through baseball and apply them in his new endeavors successfully.

HeyBatter,

ya raise 'em up to think on their own, then when they do ya wonder "what are they thinking"?


seriously tho, I (and others) should remember your additude when our call comes -

Thanks


btw, your HSweb membership is a lifetime one
.

heybatter -

Others have said it much more eloquently than I, but thanks from me for your continued insights during a tough time. You are a classy guy. How is your son doing?

HeyBatter,

Once I get past the surprize and sadness associated with your son's decision, I'm taken straight to the opportunities it presents for him. This came to me like a "ton of bricks" last year when a long-time playing partner of my son's (back to the 8th grade) came to the same conclusion and left UNC's team to concentrate more on college and his future beyond it.

As I sat there and thought about the young man at the time, I found myself increasingly excited for him. He's smart, personable, and...through baseball...shown that he has the energy and fortitude to succeed. What he'd come to realize was that, if he could re-direct the energy that he'd been applying to baseball toward other pursuits, he'd greatly enhance his opportunity to succeed past baseball. Meanwhile, he'll always love and appreciate baseball; only in a different way.

So, I find myself similarly excited for your son and his prospects. "Hats off to him" for for coming to what had to have been a tough decision, and all the best to him...and you...in the future!

Hey Batter, I too, appreciate your sharing your and son's story with us. I will remember to soak in every minute I can this spring when I think of your post.

However, like has been said - may he make the most out of his decision and the other opportunities that are in his future. Best of luck to him!