Tag Archives: baseball

Mar 14 2020
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Baseball, Youth Sports

Say It Ain’t So

Just your basic mid-week game. No streaming video today so I clicked on the stats link to follow Kyle and the Redhawks as they take on Penn State at home in Oxford, Ohio. A true field of dreams.

As I clicked from the stats page to my email, to an open document the pings started rolling in on imessage…Kansas has pulled out of the NCAA tourney. Wait, now NCAA has cancelled March madness – THIS is madness. It’s bottom of the 3rd in Miami and the Hawks are down 1-0.

Then a message from Jack…their team bus has turned around mid-trip to Pepperdine for their weekend series. What? The games are off. Kyle’s up in Oxford. A single to right! An alert on twitter: MLB Spring training is cancelled. What? THIS is madness…say it ain’t so!

Click over to the game happening in Oxford – could this be the only baseball game happening in the USA today? Miami pulls ahead in the 5th it’s 3-1 go Redhawks!

Another text from Jack – their college baseball season is suspended. The disbelief, disappointment confusion is palpable even via text message. I click over to twitter – NCAA has cancelled all championships and spring sports. Slowly it becomes clear: this happening – this is the last baseball game. The boys in Oxford have no idea – they’re just playing a ball game.

The seniors have no idea that they quite likely playing the last game of their baseball career.

The last baseball game. You know it’s coming. For those of us on the bleachers and those on the field you know it’s a gift to get to keep playing and watching your kid through high school, then college…maybe you make it to the next level but at some point – it’s the last game. For our part, we thought – well, it’s quite likely this May – maybe they’ll stretch it to the spring tourney. Travel plans are in place to take in as many in person as possible…soak it up, the end will come. Soak it up.

Kyle’s up again, bottom of the 8th – another single! Thank God – because we know what he doesn’t – that was likely his last at bat. Because this is not just a mid-week game. This is the twilight zone, this is no longer baseball season, no longer college basketball tourney season, no longer spring training season – it’s “Corona Virus season.” Kyle’s waved home! Miami stretches the lead to 4-1!

The heartache is real, it’s physical. These athletes – these kids – have not known a day without thinking about their sport. It’s a workout, a practice, hitting, planning meals, fitting in homework, sleep, social life – it ALL revolves around the game. The beautiful game. The last game.

Miami wins! Final 5-1! Game 1 of a 3 game series, that won’t be played out. As I gaze at the final on the stats page I can see it in my mind’s eye as clear as it was last week – the team is high-fiving, criss-crossing the pitchers mound shaking the other team’s hands, then, routine as ever, heading to the outfield to hear from coach. It’s the post-game talk they could have not imagined. The one they are not ready to hear. The one they will never be ready to hear. How do you tell them? How can you prepare for the last game?

I click off the screen. A short while later my phone rings and Kyle’s image pops up. Please, please say it ain’t so.

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Feb 29 2020
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Baseball, college baseball, Fan fun, food

The Hot Dog Blog 1: Olsen Field at Bluebell Park

Welcome to the hot dog blog 🌭!  A new feature here at Tales From The Bleachers because (obvious alert) no visit to a baseball park, stadium or field would be complete without a hot dog am I right? So as we travel the 2020 college baseball circuit following the #Miamiredhawks and #SanFranciscoDons this season, we’ll also be putting the dogs to the test. I won’t take this space to suggest HOW you should eat your dog (no ketchup!) but rather provide a public service should you find yourself at any of the friendly confines we have the privilege of visiting this season. Our opinion is really all that matters, because it’s our hot dog blog – but we’d love to hear from you if you have a winner, a can’t miss combo of condiments, a ball field dog that is not to be missed.

We have parameters – I mean we’re not out here winging it – here they are:

  • Price
  • Color
  • Taste
  • Texture
  • Snap
  • Bun quality

Outstanding experiences awarded weiner rating from 1-5 with five suggesting it’s worth a visit 🌭🌭🌭🌭🌭. If our experience is pure sadness, one dog: 🌭. Hold on to your buns, here we go…

HOT DOG 1

The park is Olsen Field at Bluebell Park. Home of the Texas A&M Aggies, College Station Texas.

Wiener rating: 🌭

 

 

Price: $7

Color: brownish

Taste: old

Texture: dry

Snap: result of oldness

Bun: stale

Comments: The Aggies are really phoning this in. This dog seemed to be brought out from the (very late) night before. I mean is this what passes for a hot dog in the pork-loving, bbq-bragging lone star state? You should be ashamed of yourselves. Suggestion: spend as much time on your hot dogs as your fans spend prepping to  heckle the visiting team.

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Nov 27 2017
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Life lessons, Uncategorized, Youth Sports Image

Tears of an Athlete

There’s no crying in baseball. And in football…

Watching Paxton Lynch in tears on the sidelines yesterday during the Broncos/Raiders game tore at my heartstrings. It immediately transported me back to those games my own kids played in that ended in tears or grappling with tears, hours of silence and retreats to their bedrooms to try to reconcile their emotions. My kids are of the male type which adds another layer to the agony of defeat. Let’s face it, when we see a female group of athletes letting their emotions run over we don’t blink an eye. When their male counterparts can’t keep the intense emotion from literally overflowing, there’s a level of judgement. Regardless of the age or gender or level of the athlete, the pressure and emotion associated with playing a sport is real, it’s intense, and it deserves a little space and a little respect. Here are the three occasions where we grappled with the tears of an athlete:

THE LAST GAME. For most youth athletes, this is the last game of their senior season. More often than not it ends on a loss, not a win. For those select few the reality that their time as an athlete has likely come to an end is overshadowed by the hoist of a championship trophy. But for the majority, it’s the stark reality: this is the last time I’ll play a game with these guys. I remember when my oldest was a sophomore in high school and was invited to dress for a varsity playoff game. They lost. When Kyle met us in the parking lot he was pie-eyed. The first words out of his mouth were “I’ve never seen that many guys crying.” Then he said: “I have about 16 more football games in my whole life.” The last game is tough. The majority won’t play an organized sport again and the loss of that last game, the loss of that team bond, the brotherhood or sisterhood of team sports – it’s tough. The tears need to flow.

THE MIGHTY CASEY STRIKES OUT. If your kid was ever the hero of the game, the day they can’t deliver in that same pressure situation is a day for a good cry. The amount of pressure we (the collective we: parents, coaches, other parents…) put on our youth athletes today – and the amount of pressure they put on themselves is completely out of control. But it’s real. When they get in the car, when they arrive home after that loss and believe they let their team down – give them space, let them wallow, pout, shut off for a bit. And make no mistake, it can be almost as hard for a parent to watch their kid go through this. But, it’s part of life – we fall, we get up…my kids are the young men they are because they had to grapple with these disappointments. “First world disappointments” for sure, but it’s all relative in my book. But p.s. after a reasonable amount of time of wallowing – be the parent and help them snap out of it.

SEASON ENDING INJURY. Whether a youth athlete, a high school or college student-athlete, or a professional, the shock and frustration of an injury that takes them out for the season is more than a disappointment. Their mindset for months has likely been homed in on the next season. They’ve practiced, trained, and looked forward to this day, this time. A recent study showed a positive association between a healthy life outlook and an event to look forward to. Having something in the future that we rely on has a physical effect on us. For the athlete, this sudden shift is truly an emotionally catastrophic turn of events. Yesterday, a highly regarded QB tried to endure not only a poor performance on the field, but then a season and possibly career ending injury. His entire life up to this point had been preparing him for this day – only to come crushing down. Yes, he is a highly paid professional. Yes there are worse things that can happen to a person and in fact are happening to humans every day on the planet. But in that moment, in that world, tears flow. Let them.

 

 

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Aug 06 2015
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Baseball, Life lessons, On the bleachers, What I've learned

The Kids Are Alright

To quote Cher in Moonstruck: “SNAP OUT OF IT.”

As they say: time flies. I think I started this blog quite a few years ago…my boys were in the thick of youth sports and the antics, experiences and observations of coaches, players and parents prompted this blog. I have notebooks, digital reminders, and scraps shoved into file folders with topics for blogs. They’re coming – I promise. But let’s face it: managing a household, a business, a dog and a blog is a challenge. But I love these stories and as you are my witness – I will get back on the blog bandwagon – ’cause really, it’s fun. But I digress.

As I finally take to the keyboard for a long-overdue entry,  I am faced with the joy, angst and reality that one of my own young athletes that inspired these stories is about to head off to college. The sporting life continues though, he’ll be playing baseball as well as stumbling into that wondrous world of quasi-adulthood and psuedo-independence. Exciting times.

He’s not alone of course. Most of his peer group is choosing the same traditional move from high school to a 4-year college. The kids are alright. But there is definitely anxiety, hand-wringing and tears, but not so much the kids. As usual, it’s THE PARENTS.

Don’t get me wrong – clearly this is a milestone for parents too. Especially if it’s your first-born. I mean, I shed a few tears when they trotted across the threshold of Kindergarten (wasn’t that literally yesterday?) and I can assure you I’ll shed a few as I drive away from his dorm two weeks from now.  But the all-consuming angst that seems to be devouring many of my contemporaries seems, well, slightly out of proportion. Kind of similar to say…YOUTH SPORTS PARENTS!

But honestly, can you blame us? We have been in this over-involved lane for more than 10-years now! Can we really be expected to disengage at this point and just be satisfied with the fact that they made a good choice, it’s the right fit, they’re legitimately excited to be starting this new phase of life? No. We cannot. Because it NEEDS TO BE ABOUT US. But hope springs eternal. We can do this. I know it. Say it with me. “We. Can. Do. This!”

So listen – when the big day arrives, hug him a few seconds longer, run through the checklist with her one more time, linger in the dorm room – get a good cry in on the way home. But before that day and after that day please: Snap out if it!

 

 

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Jun 14 2013
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Fan fun, Good sports parent, Nightmare parents, Youth Sports

It’s Simple Really…

So, a great article on what makes a great sports parent, or a nightmare sports parent –  can be found by clicking here from Bruce E. Brown and Rob Miller.

Bottom line?  Ride home (very important.) Get in car, start car, turn to child: ” You know? I love to watch you play!”  Add hug, high five, fist bump, kiss, whatever… then, shut it. What I love about this piece is that they ASKED KIDS…kids who are playing, and “kids” who played…college kids and grads.  Overwhelmingly, kids really just don’t want you to criticize or coach.  Favorite take away: “let them bring the game to you.”  In other words “if I want your advice I’ll ask for it…”

Have fun out there this weekend, and if there needs to be some sort of anonymous “shaming” to keep the nightmare parents in line…drop us a line at TFTB!

@tftbleachers on twitter,OR click to email

 

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Jun 10 2013
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Baseball, Fan fun, Uncategorized

100 Games in 100 Days: Day 6

Day 6: Baseball.  So for High School ball, when we have home games, the parents staff concession stand, score board operation, and announcer role.   (yes, we have announcers – what? no, we just announce the kid who is at bat – what? YES WE HAVE WALK UP MUSIC for each kid – what do you think this is? Bush league??)

We are all housed in what we affectionately call, the “snack shack.”  In years past, I guess I just showed up and would pop in there if asked to help.  Now that some kids have graduated, and others are playing a different summer league, I realize now how much I miss the women who ran that ship like a stinking military assignment.  Yes, yes, last season I would have, should have, had a rich, robust snarky blog about them – how to make the burgers, how to wrap them in foil, where the chocolate is positioned v. the skittles – how to dispense the hot cheese glug on the 6-month old nachos. I mean, these women had it FIGURED OUT.  Who the hell am I to think this is just a day at the ball park? Because I’m telling you this gig requires some serious skills.  And I’m not just talking sales, people, and counting-change-in-your-head skills.  The announcer’s/score booth sits above the snack shack.  In order to run the scoreboard you really need to have completed an advance degree in engineering – and God help the numbskull who misses a strike or posts a run on the opposite team’s total!  You want to see an unruly parent during a close game? Put up a run on the other team’s total and sit back and wait for about 15 minutes while the rumbling turns into mentioning to shouting up at the box. It’s rich I tell you. Rich.  Anyway, here’s my tribute, you know who you are:

Here’s to the gang that manages snacks, they’re bossy and witty and don’t take no crap. If you need some peanuts some seeds or a dew, they are there…there for you.

Thanks to the dads who keep track of the score, but please don’t play country between innings no more.

xo TFTB

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Jun 07 2013
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100 games in 100 days, Baseball, basketball, Youth Sports

100 Games in 100 Days – Day 1-5

Day 1.  June 1: Baseball. A harsh loss is dealt to our newly formed summer HS team. New chemistry, new field. And new whiners.  Here’s how it works: HS Baseball season is Spring. Super short. Move to Summer ball through July.  Every year there is a new crop of Freshmen. This year, a few made JV, most made Freshmen team, some got cut. Ouch. Here is another opportunity to observe the tendency for parents to turn a blind eye to a child’s possible short-comings in a particular sport. It should be noted that most kids, whether 5, 15 or 25 roll with it all.  When we refer to Whiners, kooks, freaks and nut-jobs in this blog, we’re pretty much always referring to the parents 😉  We do observe some off-spring that are just real gems from time to time, but in those cases rest assured that you’ll know it’s a pre or just post-pubescent we are talking about…next….

Day 2. June 2nd: Basketball.  Here’s how summer hoops works – you play a couple times a week, usually back to back games.  Unfortunately, Jack decided to really kick off his summer with a day at the pool, followed by running amok, followed by a sleep over at a friends.  Hmm, the walking dead on the court today.  As we say in summer ball…”hey, it’s summer ball.”

Day 3.  June 3rdt: Baseball.  Much better day at the diamond!  Except for one very sad note, big sis home from college shows up with beverages for all – mom promptly shuts that down. Newsflash: playing at High School fields has its drawbacks.  Okay one drawback…yeah, no Red Solo Cupping.  Where is the tiki bar at Steamboat little league fields when you need it?

Day 4. June 4th. Basketball.  We got a howler!  Finally, a game with a crazy mama.  Did I mention that summer hoops is usually a mellow affair? Really just a few weeks of (a lot) of fancy practices – technically tho, games (refs, fans, uniforms, for reals.)  So with that, of course, comes a few that take EVERY performance as to the death, serious, potential college scholarships on the line…hey mama!  So yes, she is getting her whoot whoot on – on one hand thrilling (that spirit resulted in this blog after all) but on the other, extremely out of proportion for the event.  Onward crazy mama, onward.

Day 5.  June 5th. Baseball.  Friend’s youth ball player’s game. T-ball and “coach pitch” – those who are there, and those who have been there – dropped pop ups, running directly from 1st to 3rd, tears, tantrums…love it, funny, super cute right?  Not for the father who has been counting the days for his kid to hit the sand lot…this is NOT cute, this is NOT funny.  You, sir, have a long road ahead – and Mrs. Father?  Batten down the hatches.  On a lighter note, the whole outing was made worthwhile when our neighbor’s boy (not to be confused with crazy dad referenced herein,) after donning an athletic cup for his first time, promptly yanked it out and handed it to mom immediately following the game: “here you go mom.”  “Thanks honey, thank you very much.”  And….there off!

next up FOOTBALL SCRIMMAGE!  (Weird, but I can’t wait…what is happening to me?)

Oxygen anyone? (my kids LOVE that joke!)

Oxygen anyone? (my kids LOVE that joke!)

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May 31 2013
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Baseball, basketball, Fan fun, Football

100 Games in 100 Days

So…Schooolzzzzzzzz, OUT! FOR! sumMER!!…..(channel your inner Alice Cooper here…)  And that can mean only one thing right?  Take a deep breath, sit back, and time to relax!

Wrong.

School out of session means MORE TIME FOR SPORTS.  And here’s a new wrinkle..while summer really used to be about just baseball, or lacrosse, or maybe youth soccer season, as you approach middle and high school, it is now not really anyone’s “formal” season…so, obviously that means that it’s EVERYONE’S season. And when I say “everyone” I mean “coaches.”  It’s summer football, summer baseball, and summer basketball, summer LAX…In case you missed the memo: If you have a tee-baller, pop-warner, soccer bunch-baller…or any sort of fun-loving sporty kid ages 5-8, start thinking “year-round sport.”  This trend has now legitimized every coach’s dream of being able to ask your kid to play “their” sport every month of the year. Oh that other sport they usually play in that other season?  “Hey, just, you know, give them equal time this summer.”*

*BS alert

This is fast-becoming one of the classic BS lines a coach will ever utter.  No coach wants you to give equal time to another sport. This statement does not suggest that they will not lay a bit of guilt tripping on you, and your kid.  And who’s to know for sure that there is not a nasty little attendance tracker hidden deep under practice notes on that clipboard of his/hers that will allow them to hold a grudge when the regular season tryouts roll around…

So, in an attempt to keep up, and prepare my loyal readers for their future or, just provide a relatable point of reference as you juggle car pools, schedules, meals and bleacher seats this summer – I am going to track 100 games in 100 days or thereabouts – as such, will also hope to contrast the emotions and enthusiasm of coaches, fans and parents at our variety of venues. Join me?

GAME ON!

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Feb 22 2013
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Uncategorized

10 Promises for This Baseball Season

1. I will add to this blog regularly! (AND I REALLLLY MEAN IT THIS TIME)

2. I will not be the loudest parent in the bleachers (lol, not out loud…really…)

3. I absolutely will not run around the house like a maniac looking for baseball pants, belt, socks or a hat. You’re on your own boys…. (really)

4. I will not cocktail at games (unless we are at a park that actually serves cocktails…) really? But if someone offers me a red solo cup I will not be rude…cause it would be.

5. I will wear sunblock – which, of course, we won’t need until August. I have a new nanuck-from-the-north parka JUST for spring ball!

6. I will not debate how “that kid” made the team and how/why he is batting ahead of my kid. Well, not if it’s borderline…if it’s painfully obvs that he has no business in that slot…maybe an eyeroll or a sharp elbow to whomever is bleachering next to me.

7. I will not criticize the shortness of the girls’ shorts who come to support the boys. But seriously…is that even comfortable?

8. I will not let my dog shove his head into the cooler that you so lovingly packed with your player’s nutritious snack for between the double-header. I can’t be held responsible for items in your lap, next to you on the bleachers, or an item that is in your hand on the way to your mouth. I just can’t.

9. I will only scream positive encouragement. (I’m cracking myself up right now…)

10. I will soak up every minute that I get to be at a ballpark, watching my son play baseball….R E A L L Y!

PLAY BALL!

 

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Oct 03 2012
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Coaches-gone-wild, Fan fun

Coaching Gems

Time to bring back: coaching gems.  Many of these are from days long past..the days when I knew I HAD to start a blog, but instead just kept notes, in a file, for the day I actually pulled the trigger.  That day has come…through “Coaching Gems” I’ll introduce you to some of the greats from our youth sports experience. Names have been changed (or slightly altered for amusement)  to protect the nutbags: Pete Humpden, Mr. JingALing, Matt Madderhorn, Rocko, Coach Chuckles – but also to not avoid the actual good guys (they’re out there, really!)  Coach A, Coach B, Coach L… Feel free to COMMENT and share your own gems – we’ll include whoppers contributed by the new and naive as well (thanks to my peeps out there who just signed their kids up for the inaugural year of bunch ball and t-ball!) Enjoy!

THE DAY MR. JING A LING THREW DOWN

Sport: boys baseball

Player Age: 12

Situation: The Rebels are in league playoffs, tensions are high.

Backgrounder and run up: Logically, there has been ego clashing in this dugout for months.  One coach fancies himself the Dr. Phil of coaching: observant Svengali of young boys’ struggles with the game.  Not sure what the other boys actually thought, but my son (in private of course) gave the big eye-roll anytime Mr. Jing A Ling approached.  However, most of the boys went along. No biggie right? Well, the head coach, Madderhorn, didn’t like the idea of being undermined or out-adored by another coach.  Today, of course, was  not the day to threaten Coach Mad’s ego…big game and all.  Anywho, Jing-A-Ling did pull a kid aside to you know, magically inspire him out of his slump. Sadly, this was ill-timed as everyone knows that you don’t want to pull a kid out of the grounder warm up rotation!

Resulting Gem: Coach Mad: “hey Jing-A-Ling, what the hell are you doing? We’ve got 10 minutes to game time?”  Coach Jing: “Can it Madderhorn, I’m fixing what you can’t fix.”  Coach Mad, slam practice bat to the ground, march authoritatively towards Jing…come VERY close to the chest bumb…” Really Jing-A-Ling?  What is that supposed to mean?”  And…wait for it…..Jing replies, no, screams….(love the build up…) “I COULD KICK, YOUR, ASS MADDERHORN AND BEEN JUST WAITIN TO DO IT!”   Whoooo whooooooooooo!  Parents and 12-year olds watch in awe as chests bump, nostrils flare, cheeks flush….What will happen?  is this funny or sad? Have they both finally lost it? Will someone throw a punch?

Of course not. We’re not THAT cray cray…not today. Ump intervenes. Coaches tossed. Game starts – another day at the ball park!

I am going to….

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