Closing This Chapter
June 1, 2009
So this weekend was the closing ceremonies for baseball. A long drawn out affair in the hot blazing sun. But the season is over. And not a moment too soon.
And, as always, there was drama. My 8 yr old son’s team got second place. Not first place like they had been expecting. I can’t even get into the long drawn out controversy and resulting parent drama, except to remind people that these are 7 and 8 yr old boys and everyone really needs to get a grip.
There is one family that sent out a heartfelt email expressing how sad they were that their son was not chosen for an All-Star team. I feel bad for them. Their son should have made the team. Objectively speaking my son should have made the team also. But at this age All-Stars is more about the fathers than the boys, and frankly I was ready for him to be done playing this season.
My 13 yr old son is playing on an All Star team and my oldest is playing on two teams, so we have plenty of baseball. Plenty.
Having kids at all ends of the spectrum gives me a perspective that I think other parents are not lucky enough to have. I have said it to so many parents, including the authors of the heartfelt email, but it bears repeating that by the time your child gets to be 13 or 14, most of the bullshit falls by the wayside. Fake stat keeping is not so easy to do anymore. Parents no longer coach. By the time you reach highschool you can either play well or you can’t. And your parents can’t really do a thing about it.
The 4yr old teams all got medals for participating. I like to think that they are prizes just for being so darn cute. I am going to need to put an addition on to the house to hold all the trophies soon. Which might be weird since we don’t actually own this house. But whatever.
Now there is more time for things like running through the neighbor’s sprinkler. The funniest thing is that a couple of neighbors have the timers on their sprinklers set for dusk. As soon as they turn on all the kids run over to their yards and run through them. It is like the children can not help themselves. They are drawn to the water like moths to a light.
The sky seems so much bigger here.
And the days seem so much longer.
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Chris - Those are great shots of Miles and your daughter in the sprinklers. I love how you can see all the beads of water! Great!! (And I love her bathing suit too!)
June 1st, 2009 at 10:05 amRe: the baseball drama, it never fails to amaze me how many parents live vicariously through their children’s sports (and other) activities. I want to tell them to GET A LIFE OF YOUR OWN! Use these situations as a vehicle to teach life lessons and move on already! I will now step off my soapbox and return to my regularly scheduled life.
June 1st, 2009 at 10:11 amIsn’t the Texas sky huge? I think it’s the oddest thing - I never would have believed it!
June 1st, 2009 at 10:16 amAwesome photos. I especially love the one with your son with all the water droplets flying AND that adorable dimple! Priceless!
Have a great week.
June 1st, 2009 at 10:43 amWe turned on the heat this morning can you beleive that
And you are so right about kids parents and sports i also have an older child and learned fast how things work.
I tell my kids to do their best and you will be noticed.
The kids who received awards when they were young are not alsways the kids shining brightly when they are older
love the sprinkler pics
June 1st, 2009 at 10:51 amAwesome post. I love what you said about all the bullshit falling by the wayside. We are just getting to that stage. It’s nice.
Your neighborhood sounds great and it sounds like Texas agrees with you. Is it weird to have neighbors so close after living in your last house?
June 1st, 2009 at 10:57 amCan I just say that I DREAM to live in a house and neighborhood like that. Someday….someday.
June 1st, 2009 at 11:18 amThe kids seem so happy in your new home, plenty of friends close by and enthusiastic baseball teams. Was the transition easy or does anyone miss the old house?
June 1st, 2009 at 11:32 amGreat advice about the baseball playing boys and all-stars etc. (Wow I feel sorry for those parents too, but especially for that kid - not a great way to grow up having your parents so invested in whether or not you made all-stars in LL!) I will add that although by high school they can either play or not, it is true at certain schools, especially private ones, that sometimes there are other issues that come with the territory. We have not experienced this ourselves, but we know that others have, and it is related to who makes the team and who gets cut, and sometimes when there is a borderline decision, the best player of the two does not make it or so I have heard. Sometimes it is the most generous of the donors or the more “important” family or yadyada so it really doesn’t completely end especially for the boys who are in the middle of the pack. The superstars remain superstars and the terrible boys will be terrible and get cut and there will be no amount of money that can get you over that hump. I will say this however, if your child loves baseball, and they put the time into it, and keep working at it, and get the opportunity to play, they often get better and better. Often the kids who were the all-stars in LL, fade away because they lose the passion and the work ethic, and the boys who were competent athletes, but kept working at it turn into solid players that no team would want to be without. That is something beautiful about baseball. It often rewards hard work and consistency that only the boy himself can give (nothing to do with parents here) as long as you have the basics down that LL will have provided.
June 1st, 2009 at 11:33 amMan, your neighborhood looks fabulous.
June 1st, 2009 at 11:43 amMy gosh Miles is cute with his little farmers tan line. I think a lot of those parents you’re describing are going to have a real rude awakening when the reach the high school stage and hey, their kid really isn’t all that great.
June 1st, 2009 at 11:45 amGreat post and love the photos! We’re a football family and have dealt with all the things you mention: drama, politics, favoritism, entitlement mentality (the parents are much worse than the kids) and on and on. It can drain the love of the sport very quickly. It seems you are enjoying Texas. Does it feel like home yet? I check in on your blog often and always enjoy it.
June 1st, 2009 at 11:46 amSome parents do need to keep in mind the ages of their kids–I agree. Becaue the real competition won’t start till high school. My oldest son has always been a good ball player and now that he is 13 and there are less boys playing, now he gets asked to be on all stars. We said no thanks as he has conflicting vacation plans (true). Where were the all star offers last 2 summers when we did not travel during summer? Many of the pros didn’t start playing till they were older than kids these days start. Yeah to sprinklers! GA has had sprinklers and watering banned for 2 years due to drought.
June 1st, 2009 at 11:52 amMy 10 year old son tried out for All-stars last night. There were nine parent coaches on the field, so there were 3 spots for the 27+ boys on the field. One parent joked there were 13 coaches so at least one coach’s son was going home disappointed. Thanks for your perspective.
June 1st, 2009 at 12:09 pmI’m glad, for you, that this chapter is closed! Now on to a much happier chapter . . . playing in the sprinklers. What great memories you’re providing them through your pictures. They will be life’s treasures clear into your later years!
June 1st, 2009 at 12:25 pmThanks Chris for you perspective about the BS that goes on…apparently it goes on everywhere. Highly competitive coaches have ruined the love of baseball for my 11 year old. His season is almost over and he said he’ll never play again, which is so sad because when he’s not afraid of messing up and can relax and enjoy the game, he’s actually a pretty good player.
June 1st, 2009 at 12:35 pmI *love* the sprinkler shots! Hooray for you for knowing what’s really important - embracing your inner kid and heading for the sprinklers!
June 1st, 2009 at 12:59 pmYou are so right. My oldest nephew played little league since he was Myles age. I saw all the drama too which is why I think I don’t have the desire to watch my younger nephews play (cue the guilt!) It was totally different when he played in high school. I loved it and didn’t miss a single game. I can’t even explain the excitement when he pitched his first college game!
June 1st, 2009 at 12:59 pmWe just got our “All Star” calls yesterday. I’ll be living on the wild side. Our first year with both boys on a team - usually its just the oldest - but apparently we have a good tball player.
Thank goodness for crockpot salsa chicken and the burrito recipe you have given us.
June 1st, 2009 at 2:58 pmMy husband is a high school baseball coach, and the parent of an 8 yr old who is in the middle of baseball, and he could not agree with you more. After each game we come home and talk to each other about the drama of little league and the parents who believe their child is the next Nolan Ryan. And you are correct, right now they have their dads as coaches and their moms as record keepers but by the time they hit high school, none of that will matter. Being a superstar in little league with your dad coaching does not mean you will go on to be a stand out high school athlete. I admit, I have come home from many games very frustrated because the coaches sons are playing in the “prime” positions even though they really have no business being there while our son is placed in a position that does not see much action. But all it takes is one look in the dugout to see that he could really care less what position he is in because he is smiling and having a good time, to be quickly humbled. That and my husband who keeps telling me to get a grip, none of this really matters right now! I guess what I am trying to say is thank you. Thank you for reminding all of us what little league is suppose to be about…the kids.
And yes, the sky really is bigger in Texas!
June 1st, 2009 at 3:08 pmI think I’m going to make my 7 year old son and my husband (whos is also the coach) read this post! Its sad when I have to hold my breath until he gets a hit so at least I know there will be one less thing for him (the 7 year old, although maybe the husband too) to cry about for the day!
June 1st, 2009 at 3:12 pmoh and I’ve been reading forever but have never commented. You have a beautiful family.
I know what you mean, Chris. My nephew is 9 and playing on the 9/10 year olds. Will he make all-stars? His mom (my sis) says probably not. It would be the first year of not making it. Yes, we think he should be chosen, he’s my nephew. I only follow his games and it is a blast. I can only imagine your fun. I love it and love it when the season is over.
June 1st, 2009 at 3:23 pmYou MUST enter that photo of your daughter into some fancy contest; what a treasure!
June 1st, 2009 at 3:28 pmLove that big Texas sky!!
June 1st, 2009 at 4:17 pmWhy do the sprinkler pictures make me cry? So sweet, so fun, so everything childhood summers should be about.
June 1st, 2009 at 4:17 pmWow your children look so healthy. Beautiful weather, we got a taste of beautiful weather this weekend after 3yrs of NO SUMMER. Your whole family seems as if they are really happy in this neighbourhood. Thats fantastic.
June 1st, 2009 at 5:09 pmAwesome sprinkler photos. And I have to confess that my heart leapt up in my throat a little bit when I saw the title of this post. I thought it indicated you were ending the blog and (selfishly) I think that just can’t happen.
June 1st, 2009 at 5:28 pmI want to eat Miles - he is SO edible!
June 1st, 2009 at 6:03 pmLOVE your daughter’s swim suit. Is it new? Where can I find it?
Chris says: It is from last year, sorry!
June 1st, 2009 at 6:39 pmI come from Melbourne Australia - only my 11 year old knows what a sprinkler is! We have been on water restrictions here for so long that even my eight year old has never had the pleasure of running through a sprinkler! One of my favourite child hood memories!
June 1st, 2009 at 8:27 pmThey say everything is bigger in Texas…including the sky.
June 1st, 2009 at 9:34 pmonce again you have outdone yourself. The photo’s and text
speak volumes…Glad Texas is working for you!
Glad you all are enjoying Texas.
June 1st, 2009 at 10:05 pmAh, that’s because the sky IS bigger, and the days are definitely longer. (But I think it’s less of a Texas thing and more of a west/southwest thing.)
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:28 amFrom the pictures it seems as though your kids settled in beautifully. In fact, it seems as though they are happier now than in your old location and that there are more kids in your new neighborhood than in the old one. If this is indeed so, was this one of your considerations in choosing a neighborhood? (i.e. alot of kids?)
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:45 amAlso in Aus, and therefore my children 9 and under, have no idea what a sprinkler is
Water restrictions are fierce here. It brought back wonderful memories though, seeing the pics of the children so happy in the sprinkler.
The fact it would keep them out out my hair for a little bit is just a nice extra.
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:52 amI am tempted to get a huge water tank for next summer, just so the kids can have a sprinkler
What a beautiful post. Great way to start the day..
June 2nd, 2009 at 7:32 amI also have kids whose ages range from 15 down to 5. The parent drama, politics, and coach issues are so annoying at the younger ages, and are also present in football, hockey, and basketball. You are absolutely right about it disappearing in high school. Now that my twin sons are just finishing freshman year, it is a whole new ball game [so to speak] for them and us. Now we are alot less likely to be irritated at all the above issues with our little guys as they get older.
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:02 amAmen to this Sister! Little league and all forms of ‘kid sports’ under the age of about 10 should be for fun - not for father’s living vicariously through their kids. Sportsmanship, team work, etc is the lesson here. Getting better is the name of the game.
How DO you make the water stop in the air so you can take the most amazing pics!???
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:53 amare you hotter than hot yet?
June 2nd, 2009 at 1:16 pmFake stat keeping?
This world will never cease to amaze me.
June 2nd, 2009 at 1:59 pm….and you seem much happier
June 2nd, 2009 at 4:18 pmYou are so right about the perspective. By high school you can’t do their project or write their paper or play the game for them. Not that parents don’t try….
June 3rd, 2009 at 8:26 amI am sorry to hear about your baseball drama parents. It’s the same situation with club soccer as well. We are so happy to have found a league with no parent coaches. Unfortunately, the parents still try to coach from the sidelines and complain about play time, who is playing forward, tryouts, etc. Kids sports would be so much better if parents would remove their biases and just let the kids play. Hope you are enjoying the beautiful weather.
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:25 amIn Texas, we get more sky AND daylight for our money.
I’m going to miss it since the Army is sending us to the East Coast!
June 3rd, 2009 at 12:00 pmWe have that big sky here in Alberta too….that’s why we call it ‘Big Sky’ country
June 3rd, 2009 at 3:40 pmWe have the very same issues in hockey up here in Canada, it’s pretty ridiculous. Since my eldest is now 14, I have LOVED every second of seeing the Dad’s grinding their teeth from the sidelines, unable to sway the coaches opinions….SO MUCH FUN!! ha ha
The big sky and loooonnng days completely blew me away when I moved here from New England. Those sprinkler shots are precious!
June 4th, 2009 at 4:45 pm