Leave it outside!

Good morning...it's beginning to simmer in the northeast.....lots of humidity too....but before we begin....

My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Oklahoma.

With that said, anything that happens in the great northeast as far as heat and humidity are concerned are not important. So what, it's hot....but I still have my home and family intact. Therefore, no complaining about anything....

Last night was an important in the life of the young leftie. His adult league was playing at a local field and he was tapped in to provide relief. "Why am I a leftie specialist when I want to start?" Oh, complaints, complaints, and some diva behaviors.

Why indeed? Well, Sport, here we go....you need to throw. Who cares if it is in the first or third inning? The ball is the ball...the catcher's mitt is the catcher's mitt and you need to throw.....And here we go.....

The field was a typical one that you see the kids play on during little league and legion games. The grass was not cut, the mound was low, the advertisements were from local vendors. In other words...it was pure baseball.

Dad and I snuck into the game without paying....actually, there were stands near the outfield with grass and dirt on them from when the landscapers weed-wacked. There were no tickets, hot dogs, or music. It was a field, bleachers, and a few spectators, and dogs (not the kind that you eat...the real ones). Buddy plays on a team called the "Irish"....I suspect it has something to do with the local pub

as its sponsor.

It was like the old days when we would have our bag chairs, bug repellent, and sun screen ready to go. No one inspected my bag or took away my kashi bar. No one noticed that we were there. The ten or so spectators were living in their own minds oblivious to what was going on.

Before the game, the big kid shared that he would pitch to one batter. "I'll throw five pitches....strike out..." "Why five? Aren't three pitches enough?" "Sure, but the guy will foul off two of them."

Gotcha...plans were made....5 pitches....bring it.....

Dad and I sit on the grassy bleachers....glad I did not wear anything light or new or even good....'cause I have a big grass stain on my bottom....back to the game....

The big guy is called to the mound and he runs out. No walk out music...no clapping...no scoreboard with his face and name spelled wrong on it. Just basic baseball with some tall leftie on the mound....he's nameless because there are no scorecards or magazines...just a big kid.....ready to throw five pitches, 'cause that's the plan.

Were there five pitches thrown? Uh, hmmmm...yeah....and a few more than five.....

OOps, what happened?

Well, the first batter was walked in four pitches. Ouch. Yeah, that's right...ouch. Man on first....

The second guy fouled off three bunt attempts before he popped it up to the mound and was out...

Uh, the next guy was walked....yeah....that's right....we like to have a little excitement in our lives. If everything was perfect then I would not know that my heart can take any kind of pressure in life....so as it beat 150 beats per minute.....

The next batter hit a pop up and the last batter a short dribble to the first base man.

Time to deep breathe...let the heart rate drop a bit....and sneak out of the ball park....I mean field....I mean park....

Off to home and waiting for the the angry big leftie to make an entrance....and angry he was.....

As he hummed and hawed, I heard some expletives from his room and had to comment. "Leave the nasty words on the field, park, uh outside....this house is a no cuss house....get it?"

The cussing stopped but there was still some banging...."Uh, leave it for your locker room. I don't want any holes in the walls....get it?"

The banging stopped...then I made my way to another room while he debriefed with his father. Thank goodness that his dad knows what to say....something patient-like: "Hey, knock it off...." Yeah...something like that....And so, after a few father son moments, peace and tranquility were restored at the home  plate. Plans were made and mom went off to read her latest Gillian Flynn novel...no baseball, fields, gloves, cursing and so on...just a story about a homeless woman who makes plans to marry a billionaire....the only problem is that she is already married to a guy named Billy who helps her to achieve her goal in order to extort millions from her new husband. That's all I know....a story about bigamy and meticulous planning.

Time to get down to business.....take care....

Embrace your crazy

Good morning! It's overcast, but I don't care...everyone was in the house last night and it felt awesome...although I was in bed with a tissue stuffed up my nose as the sinus thing will not go away. It is stuck on me like a piece of old chewing gum on one of my favorite boots.....can't get rid of it, so I accept it's existence in my life.....

And now...on to life as we know it....as we celebrated Cupcake's birthday in the only way the BP mom family knows how to do it with lots of people, food, pastries, and fun....the big kid decided to make an entrance which made everyone soooo happy. Arriving directly at the party after checking out of the house of mold, the big guy went on to share some of his highlights of his last week as a red shirt sophomore.....yep, these are the highlights....

Besides hanging out with the guys and partying one last time, Angel found the opposing team from Michigan and invited them to hang out with them for a while. Naturally, this lead to quite a bit of friendly camaraderie. As Buddy learned, you don't necessarily have to hate your opponent all the time, just while they are on the field.

And speaking of 'on the field', he did have the opportunity to throw last week as you read in one of the last posts. He had two awesome innings and one not-so-good inning....very typical outing for the big guy. And so, as he loaded the bases in the only way he knows how-by hitting the last batter, the pitching coach walked out to the mound....actually, he trudged out.....yep, step by step....inch by inch...grabs the ball and says: "You're embarrassing yourself...." and that was it. Not..."good effort....nice try....some good throws...." Nope....you embarrassed yourself and the university. Shall I comment on these historical words or move on? Let's move on, 'cause I will save this commentary for later.

The team actually won one of the three games and packed up to return home or find a job.

But, before they left, the head coach met with all of next year's returning players to go over the year and make summer and fall plans. This, my friends, never ends....ever....



In the meeting, the coach was happy about Texas but gave the big kid one bit of advice....now I am paraphrasing....

"Some people on the team think that you are crazy..."

"Yeah, well coach, if working hard and focusing on improving is crazy, then I guess I am."

"OK, embrace your craziness. I like it...."

Embrace your crazy....that's nice....embrace it...like hold on to the label that we have given to a guy who works hard every day, gets to the field early, leaves late, processes all kinds of information, reviews film, throws in the dark with the headlights of the car focused on the field, eats, sleeps, and dreams his chosen profession, does everything that the coaches ask without a word of negativity....and so on....oh, by the way...makes the Dean's List during the baseball season.

yeah....super....stay crazy....'cause let me tell you, Sir....this is the type of attitude that can change systems, professions, communities, and the world. You want more people to focus on their strengths and try to eliminate their weaknesses. You want people who will not settle for mediocrity. This is called a person who is dedicated and someone who leads by example.

Therefore, by fueling the 'kid is crazy' legend, you are basically telling people that it is OK to make fun of the kid who studies hard, does his work, and becomes a brain surgeon. After all, brain surgeons, engineers, doctors, lawyers, major league baseball players are not hatched....they work for it. So, rather than saying: "Dude, you're not nuts...you're focused....", you are sending a message to the coaches and players that it is fine to mock him.....make fun of his effort....bully him in a way.

Thank goodness, this kid is able to overcome this type of culture, 'cause there are others who are leaving the team this week and not coming back because of the way the coaches allow the inmates to run the asylum. 

Fortunately, the big guy wants it so bad and has lots of home support that he is willing to overlook these comments of condescension. I believe it makes a person stronger and his momma a bit crazed too. Yet, with the roadblocks, he just keeps on going like Super Mario as he jumps over the barrels and scary monkeys.

With that said, I gotta move on....have a great day!

All for one

Hello! I'm back...sort of...actually, I am trying to get rid of some sort of sinus thing....I have allergies....to trees and dust...Am I doomed or what? Can't avoid either. And let me tell ya....breathing is not overrated. So, I am sitting and trying to relax while blowing my nose and drinking tea. I feel a bit worthless, 'cause I could probably do a few things around the house......

Today's game was the last of the season. The big kid did not get in today but made it in on Thursday night. He gave up three runs but pitched for three innings. He had moments of brilliance and sorrow. There has to be some sort of pay off for this lifestyle. The highs are soooo high but the lows are right down there in the gutter. I couldn't do it...and actually, some of his team mates could not handle it either. One of his fellow pitchers was injured during the season, was depressed because he could not play and failed every class. In other words, he will not be back next year. This is what I mean by only the strong survive. The big leftie has had his share of lows/highs/in betweens and still gets up for another punch. What does that tell a person?

I suppose it says that he is pretty tough...although, maybe he isn't. I honestly cannot tell at this point. On Friday, he had the end of year meeting with the head coach. He told him about his clinic in Houston. The coach was very happy about it and asked him to bring ideas back for the rest of the team to implement. Ok, that works....he is looking for ways to improve, which is necessary since they only won a handful of games. The coach also said that he started late since he missed the fall and his stuff was either brilliant or awful. I concur with the coach's assessment. I just wish there was a better system of communication.

For a person to lead, he or she has to be able to connect with their followers. With that said, many of the guys were disgruntled and did not care by the middle of the season. One of the catchers is leaving the university. And nice-guy Gopher is looking to transfer back to the midwest to be closer to family. I actually thought that teams were supposed to be like families, except you get to pick the members. But in this case, it was every person for themselves rather than each other. What did the Three Musketeers yell?..."All for one and one for all!" Yeah, that's right.  I didn't witness even two musketeers this season. They were more like Mouseketeers......where's Cubby and Annette?






Oye, and so, the big kid parties one more night with his boys before turning the car south to head home. He leaves the dismal season, record, and house of mold and mildew....and comes home for a week. Then on to Texas. He thinks that something magical will happen there. OK, I'm game....hope it happens for him. He deserves it after living through the past two years with his head up.

have a wonderful weekend,

BPM

Own it

Good morning! I have been told that there is a "new sheriff in town...." What does this phrase mean?

Well, after an abysmal season, the guys continue to party and by party, I mean...part-eeee. Yep, in every sense of the word, they are enjoying themselves....which leads me to muse about this
phenomenon of competitors who are too relaxed.

Yep, with a losing record, the guys are drinking, eating, and partying to the wee hours of the morning, then heading to the stadium to slay the mighty conference foes. With that kind of preparation, is it a wonder why they cannot win? Have a conference high in fielding errors? Have pitchers who cannot

 


find the plates? Coaches who seemingly have checked out?

What do I think about it? Well, as you know, I am a parent...not like the ones who stop by their kids houses and start drinking until excess or falling down drunk, I don't bring alcohol to my child's residence to party with him and the guys, and I do not stay until the early morning to see the sunrise as I adjust to a major hangover.  I also do not tell the guys during a losing streak to get drunk, nor would I play a player who has failed a drug test (although by policy, they can...no policies violated).



While listening to the big kid rant this morning, he has decided to take over next year. He wants a team that focuses on their sport during the season and who is serious. Does he have his work cut out for him? Uh....in a word....yep.....

As he spewed his dislike for what is going on and what happened, I asked him how he was going to stage his "coup". "Well, they may need some autocratic leadership...." Ok, professor, let's think this one through.....An autocrat is someone demanding that others follow their command not lead. So, if you think that these knuckleheads are going to acquiesce to this type of authority, then you have a bigger issue. Therefore, re-think the autocratic theory.
 
"OK, maybe I will lead by example...." Ahhh, better......This seems like a more reasonable approach to getting the guys to work harder and eliminate alcohol and @#^& from their lives. Already one player lost an internship because he failed a drug test. Is this pervasive in this university or all universities in the US? You tell me.....I think that once the kids leave the home, they make their decisions. Hopefully, we instilled in them the right method of accountability for their actions. You make a bad decision, you 'own' it. Mama told you the rules.....you now live by your actions....

But, somewhere along the rocky road, the big kid got the message. Is he perfect? Sorry, I just laughed and fell off the sofa....No, he is not perfect but he has his values and has been making fairly good decisions and finally, yes, finally made the deans list. Oh yeah, and I did hear something about law school....my little guy who cursed the rain during a postponed baseball game in grade school....who cried when he was thrown out at first base.........yeah...him......law school.....wow, if this really happens, then I can demand a DNA test, 'cause I am not sure that he is really my kid.



With that said, the game begins tonight at 6pm as the headaches  begin to abate. From what I understand, there was a huge party last night and the guys will be hung over. This is a great way to end an abysmal season. In other words, these guys will 'own' the outcome...

Have a good one!

Checked out mentally.....

Good morning! It's been a few days since the last post and I have been a bit busy....work.....work....baseball.....work....

Yeah, I have to go back to the classroom in a few weeks after having the spring off from teaching. It's been nice....but now, it's time to put my head down and crack the whip.

Although yesterday, we decided to take a trip to campus to watch the last weekly game of the season. The pitching coach watching the big kid's bullpen last week liked what he saw and told him that he would pitch last night. He needs time on the mound to come back to form, but he is not getting it. This was a common theme this season. The team lost all three games over the weekend. Buddy knowing that he could have made an impact from the bullpen was none-too-pleased.

And so, we traveled to campus and wore the heavy coat since it was overcast, drizzling, and cold....another typical game night in the mountains. The opposing team scored three runs in the first inning largely due to errors. Then the starting pitcher whose ERA is 12.00 and has not pitched in 6 weeks settled down....Yes, those stats are accurate.

Finally, the coach started to look into the bullpen and brought out one of the pitcher who gave up a number of runs on Sunday and lost the game for the team, into the game. OK, looking into the bullpen, I see the big guy standing there just staring and spitting (They do that....lots of sputum....maybe it is the amount of dirt on the field....maybe not)...the pitcher naturally got into some trouble and as Tink and I always say: "Buddy would have been taken out for that one....." We waited and waited....I looked again at the bullpen, he was throwing rockets...or "cheddar biscuits" as one of the Texas guys calls fast balls (after the delicious biscuits at Red Lobster)...

he looked ready, willing, and able....come on...come on....come on.....game over....no time on the mound....it's going to be a fun dinner tonight....

To answer your first question: "Yes, he was miffed, which is an understatement...."

It seems that the head coach has checked mentally out of this season. Word on the street is that he had an interview last summer for a job in the south and did not get it. I'll tell you this...after watching this season, he ain't gonna be offered any jobs anywhere including Alaska, 'cause at this level it is all about winning and placing the best out there, developing skills, and motivating players.



Today, the players are going to complete a survey/evaluation about the coaches. That's fine, but the kids are worried that if they tell the truth, then they will be benched. Great system, right? In fact, the big kid, who really has nothing to lose at this point, plans to give mediocre evals rather than poor ones so that it cannot be traced back to him.

Ahh, fun....so we look forward to the last of the conference games to end this weekend and for the return of the big guy who will prepare for Houston. It's the only thing that is keeping his spirits up at this point....except for bread pudding...he really likes it.....

Time to roll.....later!

A silver lining

Happy Mother's Day to all especially BP Grandmom, Scooby, and Big Sis....what a team we are.....

Speaking of teams....OYE! The team in Illinois continues to get pounded by the opposition. The big kid who was left behind for control issues (hah ha), was in good spirits this weekend as he visited with family and friends. On Friday night after the first team loss, he smiled and said: "I am sleeping in my own bed and had ribs for dinner. What could be better? Better indeed? Nothing, kiddo, unless you really would have preferred to be with the team, which I am sure that he did.





But with clouds, there is rain and a silver lining.....the silver lining was achieved yesterday when his high school coach found a high school junior to catch his bullpen yesterday. Dad and Buddy arrived at the end of the high school baseball game and he pitched to the catcher who was blown away by the difference between high school and  division 1 pitchers. Then the guys made plans to be work out buddies this summer. Buddy will train the kid and prepare him for his senior year. It's a win win situation....After the bullpen session, the big kid gave his new catcher one of his unworn baseball shirts. A friendship has blossomed.....

And now, the leftie returns to campus for one week. After next Saturday's game, the season is over and the big kid comes home for a week. Then it's on to Texas....

With that said, it's time to go to Zumba with Tink.....

Have a great Sunday!

Is this a vacation?

Good morning! Everyone was in the house last night and that was sooo nice! I am glad that the big guy made it home.

What's going on his his world? Well, there is always more drama, drama, drama....the team went to Illinois without him. Get this....Big Red was drowning his woman sorrows at the local watering hole on Wednesday night.  As most of us know...too much booze=loss of inhibitions and often people say things that they normally would not.....








Anyway, he wobbled over to Buddy's table and spilled his guts (in a metaphorical way)..."you've been robbed...disrespected.....you have the best stuff...." (mind you, Big Red is the catcher)...."The coaches think that this is all in your head...." And then, I suppose, he really spilled his guts on the pavement outside of the bar....

This is what we have thought all along. Yes, it is in his head, but he can't get past it unless he plays....see how this works....or does not work....to regain the old form and confidence, he has to be out on the mound. On Wednesday, he had a bullpen session with the pitching coach who was impressed and told him that he would pitch a few innings next week....but not this weekend....

I am at a loss, but am happy to see my big boy with the scruffy beard asleep in his bed...dreaming about a big league bullpen.

With that said, dad continues to make summer plans and we will drive him (yes, I said 'drive') to Houston and leave him with the car. Then we will fly home. This may take three days of hard driving....oy! Is this considered my vacation? After all, we have not had one in five years. It doesn't matter, as long as we are together, I am happy.

And on to Mother's Day....I want to take this opportunity to thank my mom for her years of devotion showing me the kind of love that I don't deserve. She is the rudder on our ship and has always been there in times of joy and sorrow. She is an amazing cook, although I am not a fan of Betty Ford Chicken. Her cakes are divine and she is a walking saint. She takes care of BP Grandpop and goes to mass every day. She is devoted to her family and community. I love you, BP Grandmom...thank you for showing me how to love....you're the best.



Have a super weekend!

XXO,
Bullpen Mom