Baseball still America's Pastime

John R. Hall

Last night was our son's first game of the Little League baseball season. He is the starting pitcher (12 years old) and he did a good job. He struck out six, walked one, and allowed three earned runs in three innings. He also was 2-2 with a walk, driving in 2 runs, and ended the game catching a line drive off his shoetop and doubling up the runner at third base. Talk about a beaming Dad.

I know I get sappy and sentimental in some of my posts but, well, too bad. The highlight of my life right now is watching Ryan play baseball and compete in the one thing that still remains a tradition with me: baseball.

I am planning to take Ryan to the Field of Dreams in Iowa this summer, which will probably mean more to me than him. But some things in life never change -- and shouldn't. The bond between father and son is very strong in our family, as I am sure it is in many Wallie families (just ask my friend Scotty).

By the way, the final was White Sox (us) 19 Royals 10.

ScottMP

Good on Ya Pal

The hardest part is not getting all misty eyed in front of the kid

Make the whole day worth it dos'nt it ?

Scott



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Keith_8

great lessons

Organized sports teaches so much about life.

For their age group,what other part of society has winners and losers?
Why is it in our society it's unexceptable for some children to excell at certain activities?
There is nothing wrong with building self confidence but at the end of the day you have to be honest with them. They know the difference.

My son loves to be competitive at everything he does and when he is in the heat of the battle all he thinks about is winning. But when it is over no matter what the outcome is he puts it behind him.

I couldn't be prouder of him.

Keith

Jim\"Rocky\"Kelleher

Great to be a Parent

I have two daughters 11 and 13 who play ice hockey,soccer,tennis and softball.Softball is their true love, and they play great, on gameday I'm like a little kid I can't wait to go watch them play.I know exactly how you feel John, your post made me smile.
Good luck to your son and his proud dad!

George_10

Nothing wrong with being a proud parent

Each of my four children gave me moments of great pride. Makes the tough moments when you were instilling the right and wrong of life more than worth while.

My baseball story with my son went like this. He was at bat and he hit a little pop up down the first base line.
The first baseman came running in to catch the ball with his head down. My son was running full tilt toward first base. The colided. The first basemen's head hit my son directly in the bread basket. They both lay on the ground for a few minutes afterward. It was a little scary.

They were both taken out of the game for observation. After a while I went down and asked him how he felt. He shook his head and said fine. Later, he was put back into the lineup and came to bat with the bases loaded. He was a strong young man and he really got into a pitch. It sailed with majestic grace over the centerfielder's head. That won the game for them. I will remember that moment the rest of my life.

My three daughters had their own moments of stirring my pride in them. But this is a baseball thread.

Those rare moments are with you forever. But you have to be there when it happens. A parent's joy in their children is marvelous to experience.