05-05-2021, 02:57 PM
(05-03-2021, 10:07 AM)BaseballJunkie Wrote: Baseball is hard.
The players know how hard it is. They need support from one another and from us in good times and bad, because it's not like other sports. Failure is more commonplace in baseball and, what's worse, you have time to dwell on it.
My kid just went through a stretch where he was the worst player on the field. As a dad, I'm helpless. I can't carry his burden. He's bewildered. How can this be happening? Baseball provides thrills but the lows are SO LOW.
I have occasionally come on here saying we need to be better at this or that. It's true but I'm going to stop saying that. Because I know how hard the players are trying and how much they care.
We view this team and this season through the lens of sports fans. Success is measured in wins and losses. "Why can't you do this or that?"
Take it from me, the dad of the most intense, hard on himself, been through the highs and lows kid on the team. They want that success just like you do.
This is a rambling take and I'm not sure what the point is, other than my weekend was hell trying to support a great kid going through a rough patch. We could all stand to take a moment and think about what they're going through when times are challenging.
Well, let's hope that you take your own advice and support the team and the coaching staff in good times and in bad. I know from both ends of the spectrum, both as a player at the D1 level and beyond, not this program but another major one, and as a coach, it is hard.
Not sure what your background is to make all of your message board coaching on areas that need to get better, but as you mentioned, you view it from the lens of a fan.
I have dealt with dad's who just because they were able to start a travel ball team and make money while allowing their son to play the high profile positions, think they know baseball. When in reality, they throw a ball out and cannot coach game situations but feel accomplished playing 20 games a weekend, and now they are Sparky Anderson. Now I am not saying that is you, so don't take it the wrong way. But I have witnessed parents coming on boards like this and doing more damage than good when things are not going right for their son.
If your son is a starter, good for HIM, he has shown how hard work pays off at a major program, but nothing is guaranteed. You are told to cheer for your teammates, but never stop looking for an opportunity. You mentioned your son hit a rough patch against SC, let's hope he can shake it off and move forward. Gold fish memory for this game!
Let's hope you remember that it is hard on both ends, and that whatever moves that are made, it is for the good of the team! Hard to take your parent hat off and not vent at coaching staff when things are moving south, meaning PT taken away from your son. Especially on a forum like this! Bad enough that Esquer had to deal with Milano sabotaging him for 18 years,(I am sure you know the story). Also, there was speculation that he was on their message board ranting all the time. Not sure if it is true, but I can believe it!
Oh and for the record, Arizona is ranked 9th and is in 1st place in the Pac! Some one mentioned they were ranked 1.
It is always the goal to get the first game of a series, that is why Beck is the Friday starter! Especially against this U of A squad.