My son and I packed up our car this past weekend and headed out for a two day showcase. It was a showcase that he had waited to attend for almost three years. Here we were,... finally on our way...down the road we went having no clue what to expect on the other end.

When we got there I sat in the stands and watched boys from multiple states & Canada compete and play hard. Each and everyone of them was there for a purpose.

What I also witnessed was a refreshing spirit amoungst these boys. There was an instant comradery with these players.

Didnt matter where they came from. Didnt matter that some were strangers.
They were baseball players, and as simple as that sounds, that was enough.

They were broken up into teams and played as though they had known each other for years. They knew the drill and knew what needed to be done. They cheered each other on and patted each other on the back. Strangers one minute, a team the next.

I wondered what other avenue other than baseball would support such admirable behavior?

As a sat atop the bleachers I started looking around at the parents. They were a polite, quiet, neutral group....quite refreshing I must say.

I began to make a concious effort to notice all of the other moms.
While physically we are all very different, ( blue eyes, green eyes, red hair, or pink ) at that moment we all looked the same.
I thought to myself,..I know what you are thinking,..I know what you are hoping,... and I'm proud to say, " I get it. "
It is a comforting feeling to be amongst these type of gals.

It was hard not to root for every single boy up to bat.
It was hard not to hope hard that every single boy made his play.

We are all moms,..and we all know what its like. Most of us have been down this baseball road more than once.
I thought to myself,...some of us will get to continue on this baseball journey, while others of us will have it come to an end.

No matter what, I am grateful for the time I have gotten to spend as a baseball mom. I am grateful to have known so many others. And while sometimes things can get pretty wild and wooley at the field, when its good,...its REALLY REALLY good.

I thank those moms that sat and thought good thoughts for my son not knowing him personally. I thank those moms who instantly pulled out an extra blanket to share as the wind started to howl.

It was a nice competitive weekend,...
and a weekend that made me feel honored to be amongst such good sportsmanship and great baseball people.

quote:

quite refreshing I must say

...an often noted transition when passing to the next level.........

Ain't it fun!!!

Well, you made me cry! Very nice thoughts and so true about these wonderful boys we get to watch play baseball.

Nice thoughts SSMom! Baseball is a wonderful community!!

ssmom ...

You have a gift for writing and describing things so well that I often feel like I am there. Your story brought back memories of the one showcase our son was invited to and I relived the experience as I read your words. Thank you so much for sharing.

Baseball is, in my ever humble opinion, the BEST game around. The players get to showcase their individual talents while playing as a team ... not something we necessarily see in those other 'sports' out there.

I love this game; I love baseball people; and I love all the memories I have from all the leagues, all the teams, all the tournaments, all the levels. I truly believe baseball has been a gift from God.

Awesome post that made me cry but at the same time made me smile. We are in the middle of football season but I miss baseball so much. I know it will only be a few more months until I hear the crack of the bat, but I am ready to hear it now. I miss my son who is playing football and working part time. Even though he lives at home, I might get to see him for 30 minutes or so at a time on the weekends and an hour or so during the week. I have been trying to get him to quit his job, but he won't budge. I see him a lot more during baseball season. I am so far up his rump he can't escape. I guess this is preparing me for when he goes off to college. I will need a lot of support and probably medication then. I love my kids and I love baseball, nothing can ever replace either.

Thank you for reading my random thoughts,...and for allowing me to share them with you all.

Hugzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

ssmom, I love to read your posts. Everything you write is always so colorful, bright, meaningful and very thought provoking. My son won't be in HS until next year. Reading your posts makes me look so forward to HS, showcase and what follows.

Thank you very much for sharing your most deep and intimate thoughts with us. We all appreciate it very much.