On another thread people were talking about freshman hitting the wall. I read the thread and there was alot of examples but I did not want to post there wanted to come home to the ladies forum. Last friday evening my son called me and he did not sound right. Asked him what was wrong and he returned with "Life is just ******* right now (Not sure if I can use that word). I asked him to explain why and he nearly broke my heart. He told me he is not the go to guy in baseball. His hitting was down and he was only playing 1 out of 4 games a weekend. (He's a freshman) went through the whole your a Freshman conversation and he sid he knows that. Finally after 15 minutes on the phone he came out and said it. "I have'nt been home since January, I'm out of groceries and I miss my brother" When I told my husband he looked weird and said "he didn't say anything about me?" I just smiled.

allaboutbaseball - I have so been where you are! As you tried to explain to your son, he is having the most common of freshman experiences. Sounds like he's needing a family visit in a big way... probably even dad! LOL

Even the sophomore and juniors out there can get homesick and be challenged for playing time that doesn't match their expectations. It's never an easy road for a college baseball player.

My son had a horrible freshman experience in every way. Ended up by being able to RS so the year wasn't a loss baseball wise. He left that JUCO and went on to a wonderful school, but battled those emotions of wanting to throw much more than he was early in the season.

Well, this past weekend, I visited him for home games (went to away games last weekend). Before I left he tossed me a ball that was from a couple of weekends ago (I was home sick that weekend). He had written on there "first college win" and the date. His pitching coach had tossed it to him after that first college win and congratulated him. It does get better... it actually can get very special and like most things... those sweet moments are worth waiting for!!

POOR KID!!!!!
Gosh,....thats a hard one on the ol' mom's heart strings.

He's tired, he's hungry, he's homesick,..yeap sounds like he's got all the makings of a true stud muffin!!!...because this is, of course, normal.
He needs reassurance, perhaps a little cash, a silly box of sweets from Mom ( they arent really silly,..he may just act like they are. Deep down inside, he'll love em, and so will his friends! ) and soon things will get better.

Doesnt make it any easier on us moms though.
Its in our job descrioption: When life stinks,..vent to mom and she'll make it better.

My husband at 46,..STILL does it to his on occasion, go figure.

allabout ...

My heart is aching right now for you and your son ... it is even harder when we can't at least hug them and tell them it will be okay. And those heart strings that ssm mentions are definitely eternal, not at all like the umbilical cord that needs to be cut.

And it doesn't seem to matter the age of the child ... I know the first day our son showed up for his first professional team, he called multiple times during the day and I KNOW if I had been nearby, he would have put his 22 year old head on my shoulder and wept (he has not problem with shedding tears ... and I think it is more manly than most dads do). I could hear it in his voice and I could visualize his face, the slump of the shoulders as he felt so uninformed and inadequate to deal with the new environment etc.

But, please trust us when we all say that this too shall pass and when he is able to back away from that darn wall, he will again see the opportunities around him and blossom. I will keep you both in my prayers. It isn't easy, but it will get better.

When my son needs a hug or to hear a voice it is always mom he calls. Got the call today. Struggled big time pitching this weekend and husband text him and said if he needed to talk feel free to call. They had to travel so I heard from him this morning. He is a freshman and has done outstanding until now. No excuses, just didn't pitch well. I am proud of him for being a man about it. We are able to make most of the weekend series's so I don't think homesick is a problem but I do wish I could be there when they have an off day. I think it made me feel worse than him.

AAB - If he is within a few hundred miles just pile the family in the car and go see him. Take food, money, pictures, stuffed animal from childhood, a favorite movie, his blankie, whatever it is. If you can't go then just send the stuff to him. If he protests (because he is so manly and cool) tell him it was cluttering his room and it had to go. That way it is not because he needed to be comforted. He will be OK. Year one is tough on most freshmen - with or without the rigors of baseball. This is the beginning of the nitty gritty part of the semester. Tell him to hang in there!

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If he protests (because he is so manly and cool) tell him it was cluttering his room and it had to go.

Redhead,..you are one smart woman!!!

Orrrrr gals, you could just get your sons a pet!

My daughter visited a school about 30 minutes away from sons last night and spent some time on his campus. She showed me a picture today of his "pet"... well, of his and his three suite mates. It's a DUCK!!!!! How on earth can you keep a duck in a dorm!?!?!?! Apparently some other boys have a cat. Have you ever heard of such!!!! My son is going to get kicked out of school for a duck!! My daughter told me "don't worry mom, they looked up what it needs to eat and everything".

lafmom ...

If your youngin' should get kicked out, he can use this sign when he protests in front of the dean's office:

These were all great responses. Since it's Easter break this weekend the coach is going to let the boys have saturday and sunday off. Going to my sons games on Friday and then taking him Home!! He was so excited when he called (with a menue)and asked if he could bring home his dirty clothes because "he won't have time to get it done". Told him yes with a chuckle under my breath. You know what I think us parents hit the wall as well.

Happy holidays to you all!

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Originally posted by FutureBack.Mom:
lafmom ...

If your youngin' should get kicked out, he can use this sign when he protests in front of the dean's office:

Mary Ann, That's just not funny!!!

My husband had a pet duck. His name was Ducky Daddles and he slept in a box by his bed. He also swam in a big roasting pan. Hmmm.......I wonder if DD really went to live at the farm like his parents said.

Nothing like us parents all going a little " quackers "
( aka: hitting the wall ) once in a while too!! ha!

I think perhaps its actually part of our mom job description, if I ever had the time to actually sit down and read it.

( chuckling,... a duck who sleeps in a roasting pan??? Now THATS too funny!!!! )

Hey FBMom,..I like your new icons. ( not trying to hijack the thread,...but how do you do that? )

Allaboutbaseball,....enjoy your son this Easter weekend! Recharge the ol' batteries, get him on a good footing again and send him off to go take on the world!!!! (.... with clean clothes, a full belly, and with the reassurance that he comes from good stock and is gonna make this year successful!!! )

Give that boy a biggggg tight squeeeeze!!!!!!
Happy Easter Ladies!!!