Is this how retirement is going to be? I think I’m getting my first taste. Once my son said he was going to play baseball again this year, my managerial career would be extended as well; that was the plan. Unfortunately, as he went up to the next level, the number of teams decreased from 14 to 8… something like that. With that, there was no opening for me to coach this year; that was a bummer. Of course, I’ll still be watching. He played his first 2 games of the season on Friday night and Saturday afternoon.
We missed the first 2 games of the season (both losses) due to our spring break trip and his school track meet; Friday was his true opening day. I get there and I’m pacing around; what do I do with myself? I had already told the coach I would help however I could; I didn’t want to keep pushing. On this day though, he needed some help; I was the only other Dad in attendance. Is is just me? I mean, how aren’t more dads watching their kids play? I wouldn’t miss it. Not saying I’ve never ever missed a game of his, but it’s rare; there’s nowhere else I’d rather be than watching him do his thing. So yeah, he needed me to do the online Game Changer app AND coach first base; hey now! I was back in… haha. I was happy.
How would my son do in his first game? I knew he’d be fine in the field, but when he stepped into the batter’s box for his first AB, that would be the first time he’s seeing real pitching in a year. How’s that “dad of the year”? Well, I’m not going to force him. I’ve offered to pitch to him multiple times, but… he declined; OK. His first AB he struck out looking; understandable. His next AB he hit the fly ball to the right fielder who made a nice play. His last AB, he got his first knock of the year, a base hit to RF. A 1-3 start to the year, and… the first victory for his team, a 7-5 win. Nice!
Saturday afternoon was more of the same. There was another dad there, who did the gamechanger, but he needed me to coach 1st base again… gladly. For my son, it was a good learning game. He played first base and missed a throw; he catches that 99 out of 100 times. He wasn’t happy with that. He hit the ball each time up at the plate which was great, going 1 for 3, with a sac fly (great play by the kid) and RBI. However, he had another gaffe, this time on the base paths, running into an out at 3rd base. Also, he got to pitch for the first time at this level. He has to be conscious of balks, holding on runners, pickoff moves, etc; it’s almost the real thing! I thought he did really well, although he did get touched up. Only one kid really hit the ball hard; couple squibbers hurt him. He did throw away his first pickoff throw, which he was NOT happy about. He also walked a couple kids and hit a couple. Again, for his first outing of the year, I would give him an average rating. His team took one on the chin, losing 11-2.
I was happy to be back in the mix, no doubt; it’s hard to just sit/stand there and watch the game. I can’t turn the coaching thing off. Watching him pitch is even harder, not being able to walk out to the mound to talk to him; I still shouted from the stands… haha; I can’t help myself. I’m just happy to watch my boy play baseball again; looking forward to the rest of the season.
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