Sometimes, if we're really honest, we lose sight of the academic side a bit while gazing at the baseball side of our college ball-playing sons. The beauty of a college education was recently brought home to me. My eldest, who prior to college never looked further than SportsCenter and the sports pages, now reads the New York Times daily (it's a feebie to students), is really enjoying an American politics course analyzing issues and views in different parts of the country, and can identify when a b flat something or other enters a piece of classical music.

His academic advisor refers to this as the "magic of a liberal arts education". Whatever it is, I like it. I hope baseball goes well this spring, and he's at a point where he'll earn mound time with good performance, and will see less action if he doesn't meet expectations, as it should be, but it is indeed enjoyable to see some of the education taking hold. It's a nice reminder that it is indeed all about the education.

hokieone,

Very good post. We need to realize that sooner or later playing baseball will end. They can't take the education away.

Best wishes for a great season and continued "smarts".

How bad is it if hia baseball talent and academic ability enables the boy to get a degree and play college baseball as well??

In my book, Not bad at all !!!

The boy is among an elite few. He will have baseball stories to tell his kids

Gotta agree with TR - Nothing better than continuing your baseball career/dream and getting most of your college education paid for at the same time. For most kids baseball after college is not a reality, the education you get will carry you throughout the rest of your life. So will the memories.

Hokie, That's great to hear. My son is very similar to the highschool student you describe. I'm hoping the motivation is different in college and he's a bit more "inspired". Many kids seem to get to college and are for some reason more focused on academics. I keep reminding him, baseball will end sooner or later!

Hokieone, As I read your post I had to check and make sure I hadn't written it myself. So true!! DPDAd, what is this "getting your education paid for" thing? I've gotta look into that...

Good post, Hokieone --

Before, in high school, it was baseball, baseball, girls, baseball, girls. He went to junior college to play baseball. Now, he's in his 4th semester, set to graduate with an assoc. degree this May. He's got a shoulder injury and is not playing right now. I am not sure if he will play anymore. What I am trying to say is that baseball got him to college and now he is appreciating what his education may do for him. It's fun for me to see what is turning him on at school, like the music class I was surprised he took and how much he enjoyed it. His horizons have certainly been expanded.

He has found and decided on a college to transfer to in the fall to get his bachelor's degree. He is excited about finishing up where he is now, and the prospect of a new school -- even without baseball. I think he may be leaning towards coaching in the future.

As a parent, I am oh so grateful as to how far basball has gotten him and how it has turned on his motivation for other things in life.

Basicmom...That is great to hear...don't give up on him getting well and walking on. He can still play!

Good luck!

Hokie -

Glad to hear Matt is doing so well and has expanded his horizons beyond the cowfields you live in

I have to agree its amazing to watch their worlds grow into a adult world. When Chris was home for the holidays I saw him glance at ESPN but watch the Discovery Channels documentaries non-stop.. He commented about how he never knew before there were so many interesting things on the channel and about the world. Just made me smile (and laugh)

Love to Matt and tell him to keep up the great work.

Mine has nicked my old Ashleigh Brilliant card that says:

"There has been an alarming increase in the things I know nothing about."

College is a wonderful time....