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Funny Man |
When my oldest son was about 4 years old we were able to start playing catch for real. I remember that day vividly as I tossed him the ball from about 20 feet and he gloved it like a pro and tossed it back. After a few of these throws back and forth I got a little caught up in the moment and put just a little too much pepper on it. It seemed like time stood still as I watched that ball skim the top of his glove and split his eyebrow open. I of course felt horrible and he cried like he had been shot  We have played catch a thousand times since then. Sometimes just for fun but mostly working on his skill. I have crouched behind the plate and worn dozens of baseballs off toes, shins, and various other places. I stopped crouching, out of self preservation, when he was 13 or 14. Soon I could no longer throw the ball far enough for long toss sessions and would send him off into the outfield with a bucket and just catch the balls and drop them into a pile. Today, about a month before his 16th birthday, the final shoe dropped. I went out to throw with him on his flat ground day. This includes warming up and progressing up to 100% out to 90 feet. I was able to hang for a while but at the end the ball was just on me too quick, these old eyes couldn't keep up. The last throw was a 100% effort shuffle throw that whizzed past my mitt, just past my head and up the street. And that was the last meaningful throw he will ever throw at this old man. I am now relegated to the courtesy of the occasional soft catch just for nostalgia sake. I am no longer able to be an active participant in his training. Less than 12 years total, that's all I got. I am both proud and a little sad at the passing of this milestone. I still have a year or two with his little brother before I hang up the catcher's mitt for good. Enjoy it while it last, it goes fast. ______________________________ “I'd like to know why well-educated idiots keep apologizing for lazy and complaining people who think the world owes them a living.” ― John Wayne | ||
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| The success of a solution usually depends upon your point of view |
It makes you proud. But it sucks a little. Congratulations, you are a good parent. “We truly live in a wondrous age of stupid.” - 83v45magna "I think it's important that people understand free speech doesn't mean free from consequences societally or politically or culturally." -Pranjit Kalita, founder and CIO of Birkoa Capital Management | |||
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A Grateful American |
Your task of training him is complete. When your grandson or granddaughter is born, you will buy them a glove. And one day, they will they will play catch for real, and you will be there. It never has to end. "the meaning of life, is to give life meaning" ✡ Ani Yehudi אני יהודי Le'olam lo shuv לעולם לא שוב! | |||
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Member |
Been there, done that with my son who just graduated college this year. All the days/years I spent coaching, standing in the rain and 95 degree scorching weekend days, all the bruises, sore muscles, and even the right shoulder rotator cuff tear I deal with every day, it was all worth it and I wouldn't trade those times for anything. However, I think god has a somewhat sadistic sense of humor. As they get faster, stronger, and more capable, we get slower, weaker, and less capable. So any pain we might have inflicted on them early on, they return to us many times over as they get older. And we simply smile as they begin to reach their potential.  ----------------------------- Guns are awesome because they shoot solid lead freedom. Every man should have several guns. And several dogs, because a man with a cat is a woman. Kurt Schlichter | |||
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| Go ahead punk, make my day |
Unfortunately that is a phrase young parents typically can't understand until it's already upon them. I know I found it hard to grasp. I mean you enjoy it, but the day in, day out raising of young children can be trying when you are an active and involved parent. Then one day it hits you, how fast it is all going and then <poof> like that, the are almost out of the house. Here is to all the good parents out there, they hardest job you'll receive zero formal training for.  | |||
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| We gonna get some oojima in this house!  |
My son is 13 and starting to bump the mid 70’s. That’s too much for me. His coach is a former pitcher for the Angels and a current college coach. He’s in good hands. ----------------------------------------------------------- TCB all the time... | |||
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| Funny Man |
Yeah, that's about the time I stopped catching his bullpen sessions. Now he is north of 85 and I can no longer play catch when he starts turning it loose. ______________________________ “I'd like to know why well-educated idiots keep apologizing for lazy and complaining people who think the world owes them a living.” ― John Wayne | |||
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posting without pants |
Proud to say that at 38, and my dad at 70, can still have a game of catch and throw pretty much 100 percent. (much more amazing on his part than mine) Strive to live your life so when you wake up in the morning and your feet hit the floor, the devil says "Oh crap, he's up." | |||
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| Funny Man |
My dad is 73 and I am 48. He and I can play catch with each other at 100%, but neither of us can with my son  ______________________________ “I'd like to know why well-educated idiots keep apologizing for lazy and complaining people who think the world owes them a living.” ― John Wayne | |||
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| Member |
At 16 the your son is turning into a young man with a young mans strength. No doubt you can't keep up with him now. On the bright side you have given your son memories that he will keep with him forever. You're doing the same thing for his younger brother. No small accomplishment right there. Excellent job dad! | |||
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Member |
You have installed in your son the love of the game of baseball, that is what fathers are suppose to do. Well done, now let his coaches pick up the slack. Again Well Done. | |||
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| Member |
This brought back memories. My 20 YO son played base ball from 1st grade through summer after FR of college. He was "the catcher" for every team he played on, LL, All Stars, travel, high school through adult wood bat league. He was a great player, batted lefty, fast for a catcher. I played catch with him, drove him to games and practices, and lessons. For a decade. Then it ended. Still makes me a little sad. I remember when he started throwing the ball far too hard and long for his old man to keep up. Probably age 13 or so. I had to wear a 1B glove or an old catchers mitt or it would hurt if I did not catch it in the pocket. | |||
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| Edge seeking Sharp blade! |
My 29 YO son keeps gloves and ball in his car. Last time he visited at the end of the summer we played catch. I hadn't thrown in a while and it seemed throwing was going to be a problem, but I worked into it. We played with a ball signed by Royals great Dennis Leonard. I've told him we should play with a different ball, but he doesn't care. | |||
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| Needs a check up from the neck up  |
My sons 10 and I coach his team and have for 2 years. Yesterday as the garage chores were winding down my boy asked me to throw with him. Despite playing 3 days a week with him, we really don't get to throw much with one another, it was a really nice treat. We hung in there until after sundown when I finally had to call it before I took on in the noggin due to no light. Such a good time __________________________ The entire reason for the Second Amendment is not for hunting, it’s not for target shooting … it’s there so that you and I can protect our homes and our children and and our families and our lives. And it’s also there as fundamental check on government tyranny. Sen Ted Cruz | |||
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