Oh my gosh! I have to start this one off with that statement. Oh my gosh.....Why am I so upset?
Ahhhh....for a number of reasons and here we go.....
As I began to write this blog, I did so to chronicle the good, bad, and ugly. I also planned on writing how tough it is to work toward lofty goals and often the road is filled with bumps, bruises, and crushed egos and spirits. I debated whether to even write today, but I have to keep it honest and therefore, the following story is very very true....
From a mother's perspective....
Tink and I have been making preparations for Tennessee and looking forward to seeing the big kid in his uniform again. The reason is simple....I love seeing my children doing what they have worked for, are passionate about...and love. What can I say? I'm a mom...that's it. And so, the plans were made and the hotel booked.....
Then the call came in from dad. "Buddy is not on the week's roster to travel."....Huh? What? That's a mistake. He's wrong. The big leftie has pitched scoreless innings all spring. No one has successfully gotten a ball out of the infield with him on the mound. LW, another leftie, is nursing a broken hand. This is a mistake. He read the roster wrong. Seriously? Crazy! Oh wow...he must be crushed!
Why crushed? Well, as you know, this time last year, he was shut down because he needed the shoulder surgery. Fortunately, the surgery was successful and he has rehabbed like crazy. Hours after hours after hours...morning, noon, and night. No parties...no rest...nothing but the goal of returning to the mound. Unfortunately he did not pitch in the fall since he was not ready and had mono in October. So he was hit with a double whammy....but again....
He fought back. Nothing was going to stop him as he worked to regain his speed and strength. The winter indoor season was very successful as he dominated on the mound. No one could hit him as he carved the plate. After last weekend's scrimmage, we knew that he was ready to pitch again in competition....then this happened.....
To say that he was angry and devastated is an understatement. His hurt was palpable from a distance. All I could do was listen and pray for his spirit to return and to get over the anger and seething revenge that he wanted to instill.....
Then it happened....he went to practice and confronted both coaches about not traveling this week. Both said that they liked his progress but did not seem ready since he did not pitch in the fall. In my mind, this is a bogus answer especially since he had been recently successful. So, what does the kid do?
He told them that he would have the ball in his hand by the end of the season, he would be their go-to guy on the mound and they can shove it "up their %)*#E%$# #$@@!" That's right...he cussed them out to their faces. Oh, shades of the time when he cussed out the surgeon who told him that he would never play again. This is the kid that I know and love....You know what the coaches did?
They liked it. They liked the fire and congratulated him. But they are still not taking him this week. And so, today, as he continues to seethe, he will speak with the head coach and share that he feels that he is not being given a fair shake. We'll see what happens. Doesn't every sports player feel that way? He does feel that when he gets his shot, they will regret this decision. Until then, he has to be patient and continue to work hard. And what do I do? What do I always do? I gotta be a mom who listens, nods, but does not give in to the anger. he has to channel the negative energy in a positive way and not say something that he will deeply regret.
All in all, this is typical of his baseball career. He has always been underestimated, then by the end of the season, he is named All-conference...All-state...all-star....no one really sees his talent because he does not have an -in-your-face demeanor. He is basically a nice guy who does not flaunt his talent and hard work. It takes an outside source such as in high school to alert the coach that they have a great player on the mound. And so, let's see what happens. This is an ugly process and I will travel the road with him even if it means that I drive to the mountains this weekend to drop off baked french toast and baked ziti. Mom is on duty. I just don't want to feed the anger...only his stomach....
Dude...you're an awesome player. You will get your chance sooner than later. Take the time to catch up on the school work, 'cause some day these guys will need a lawyer to bail them out of a mess. Make sure that you charge them the full rate.....
With that said, have a great day. More later....as we journey back to the mound.
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