One last push

Good morning. Happy day after Mother's Day to all. I would like to send a shout out to my own BP Grandmom who is amazing. Thanks for everything, BPGmom. You are the best-est!

On to the big kid....last that we heard, our hero was headed to see Yoda, his beloved PT, who gave him some very sound advice....



Kid, you are going no where until you have finished your rehab. In other words, no Seattle for a while.

Speaking of Seattle, Yoda is not convinced that this is the place for him. Valuing Yoda's opinion, I had misgivings about his weekend trip to see this velocity guru. Yet, he went anyway.

Here is what he discovered in the four-hour meeting....

1. They do not want anyone who is happy with 88. Agreed.
2. Once they viewed the university's training and strength routines, the director called it 'criminal.'

3. They concurred that if he was speaking the truth of how he was able to thrive in this 'back water' environment, then his potential is limitless.
4. He has high miles on him and battled injuries. Plus he is getting old, so  his clock ticking.
5. They have an outlet to 8 major league teams, therefore, if he does well this summer and hits 95, they will send a call out.



All of this to say....hmmmm

The next step is to rehab to the point where he can train. This is where Yoda comes in. Therefore, the next few weeks will be spent returning to fighting form as demonstrated when he left the house after a cross country flight and dinner to throw his weighted balls and work out. The beast has been unleashed. He is passionate and ready for one last push to achieve his goal.

Next week, he and I will travel to Tampa to visit with one other training facility. This place is like the pitching doctor on steroids. So, we will check it out. He will weigh his options, then make his decision. We will then send him to either Tampa or Seattle for one last push.

What is going to happen?

Dang if I know. What I do know is that he will not leave any stone unturned. He is not going to be satisfied with a desk job and will land up doing something pretty cool if he does not pitch in the majors.

With that said, I have tons of work and meetings this week. I will try to keep you abreast of the activities as they occur.

Peace!

PS: Got a fitbit for mother's day....at this point, I have 417 steps toward the 10,000. I might not sleep tonight trying to hit the magic goal.

Planning, planning, planning

Good morning! I am doing everything in my power not to grade a boatload of papers. Yet, it's time and has to be done. I need some motivation...more than coffee or a chocolate Dunkin Donuts donut....It's like a paralysis...




Perhaps it is spring fever....That's it...I am paralyzed by spring fever.

On to Big M....he is hanging in there and battling like he is still playing football. Inspiring! Go Big M....GO! I told Big Sis that she is the quarterback and we are the offensive line. We have to open holes for Big M to run through to defeat the foe. let's do this!



How is the big kid? Well, he had his final final yesterday....naturally, it was accounting....he needed 37/100 points to pass and graduate. Did he get it? Uh, we don't know...'cause he does not appear confident...yikes! Please God! Oh please! 37 points....that's all I ask at this moment....I'll be in touch later.

Also, thinking about Father J, my favorite Maryknoll priest. He is taking his comps today trying to complete his degree....another prayer coming....."Please God! Help Father J to graduate too!"



Ok, I am done praying for the next few minutes. The bid lefty is coming home this morning and headed straight to Yoda. That's right. No, 'hi Mom!'....it's more like....'Yoda! I have missed you! Are you taking your blood pressure pills? Getting enough rest and exercise? Want to come with me to Seattle? My folks will pay! You have to stay healthy for another few years. Have some Ginko....'

I received a text in which one of the pitchers asked him if he was hanging up his cleats. The response has been the same to everyone. "Yes, I am going to stay in the south for the summer and get a job on the golf course. Then I will work for my dad in the fall."


I believe that everyone who has asked him gets the same answer. Yet, we know differently, right?

He is headed to Seattle tomorrow and will find a place to live. Then he will work out and see what happens.

Back to the conversation with one of his team mates. The other guy said that it was good that he was hanging up the cleats since he was D 1 good but not good enough for the pros. Hmmmm.

The big kid's mind went back to the game earlier in the season when the announcer called him Andy Pettit. I believe that this comparison is called better than D1....if you know what I mean.

Whatever happens, he will have done everything with no regrets. Ultimately, he may make a connection an find a job that excites him and settle down. Until then, he follows his plan and heart.

By the way, he had his final meeting with the Czar. It went as expected, although the coach wanted to hear an apology for having surgery without his permission. He never got it. However, the kid sent one salvo in as he told the guy that the grade point averages on the blackboard were a FERPA violation which puts the university at risk to lose its financial aid. The Czar said that he would look into it. The lefty was going to check the locker room last night to see if the gpas were removed. Let's see if the Czar heeded his warning. 

Now, to stay employed and bankroll this future adventure, I must grade papers.

Peace!

Summer plans

Good morning! Or is it? Dang puppies who are soon to be dogs got me out of bed as the birds awoke. Speaking of birds, there is a sparrow who has parked itself on my patio. It is trying to break into my house. At first, I thought that it was lost, but after trying for three days to gain entry through the sliding door, I am thinking that I may have another pet moving in. I am not sure what to do except watch and think that it is either very cool or odd. I have not decided yet.

On to the big kid and his plans.

We sat at dinner on Sunday night after the senior day celebration and dad said: "Are you still interested in law school?"

Hmmm....uhhh....sssss.....ohhh......sure.

It was that point that I stopped the discussion and said: "I know that you have no intention of going to law school. More school for you? Doubt it. Truth. What do you want to do?"



'I want to play baseball.'



"That's it?"


'Yes.'

"Then do it. Go play baseball."



And there you have it....the master plan....going to play baseball.



Here is where it stands.....he is going to see Yoda on Thursday to get an approval to amp up the workouts.



On Friday, he will travel to Seattle to speak with the pitching coach....more about him later. Once he decides that he wants to train in Seattle, he heads to New Jersey to work with a professional trainer who will undo what they had done to him in college. In other words, he will have his body realigned and prepared for summer training in Seattle.


And there we go.....off and running....on to achieve (or not) his goal. This will basically tell the world where he stands in talent.


Once again, we support him and will allow him to follow his dream. However, after a set period of time, it may be time to take the LSATs. Always keep a plan B in the back pocket.

Off to work....


Peace!

Two posts in one

Friday

Hi. I am sorry that I have not posted but with work and Big M in the hospital, my mind is not very clear. Big M continues the big battle. He keeps strong for all of us. He's my hero.
On to the big festivities this weekend. There are 8 seniors graduation. The Czar went on record two weeks ago to claim the reason the team has a losing record and is in a foul mood are the seniors. That's right. Seven of the guys sit on the bench and watch the team implode each game. One of the seniors is a regular starter. I love how he deflects his lack of baseball knowledge onto the seniors. Yep, those snooty, lackluster upperclassmen. Shame!



After Sunday's game is the senior appreciation ceremony. I cannot wait. Texas's mom refuses to come to the game. She is livid with the Czar and Psycho. Who can blame her? Do I want to go? Nope. I would rather pull weeds in the backyard until my back seizes, go to the emergency room, have an IV placed in my arm, then brought to surgery with no anesthesia...but I cannot do that. I have to support my kid no matter what. This means that I will walk onto the field, stand next to my son as he gives me flowers, smile and wave at the crowd, sniffle a bit, have a few photos taken, shake the Czar's hand, then take my family out to dinner as I throw back a box of Merlot.

Honestly, I would do it again and again. It is Parenting 101. I have to show the big guy and Tink that I have enough dignity to support my family no matter what. In the long run, my son will be fine. In many ways, he has won the battle. How?

Well, last year, the Czar wanted to bounce him off the team. But the lefty was so good that he could not ignore him. Hence, he won several games and has one of the lowest ERAs on the team. This year, he wanted to boot him too....but he strolled into town throwing a hot 91 mph, which the trainer promptly removed, 'cause we all know.....good pitching is not about velocity. Oh, by the way, yesterday the Czar met with the pitchers and explained that pitching is 90% mental.....just sayin'...

Monday

 Sorry gang, it has been a busy weekend. So, I was unable to write or finish my Friday post. Yep, life gets into the way of sitting, thinking, typing, and posting. I honestly do not know where the time went.

Shout out to Big Sis and Betty who completed a ten mile run in the city yesterday. Wish that I could join them, but my knees don't allow me to walk up the steps without creaking let alone a distance run. Actually, it is my fault from years of abuse and sprinting while playing singles. It happens....I still have my health....



On to yesterday....what a beautiful day! Gorgeous. Once we sat in the stands, the weather shifted and the sun went behind the clouds. In the years that I have traveled to that university, I can recall three or four days where the weather was perfect.

We arrived to the field too late for the pre game festivities. The team had the dads come to the field to throw out the first balls. Dad was too late but did not want to do it anyway. He is harboring a big grudge....a three hundred pound grudge....


I walked to the back of the dug out and said hi to the big kid. He was in a salty mood. Check my text message to you.....Ok, I looked at my phone then cringed.....

Before we had arrived at the stadium, the jumbo tron ran a video with the seniors talking about their experiences. Each senior had been interviewed during the week. There were two seniors missing from the video.....Texas and guess who? Was he hot at the snub? Is the Pope Catholic? Do bears live in the woods? Am I losing my hair and mind over this baseball stuff?



Between each inning, the scoreboard ran videos of each senior, their interviews, and highlights. It was nice. Very nice. Only one senior thanked the coaching staff. He was the manager who wanted a job the following year. Transparent......The rest of the guys thanked their team mates  and parents.

 The game was won by the home team despite multiple errors and pitching faux pas. I could see how despondent the big lefty was.....he wanted to be out there dicing and carving the plate. Soon...very soon.....

Now it is time for senior day. We were called to the field and lined up. Our family was to walk out after the manager's family. We were sent to the dugout and walked out to the middle of the field as the announcer recalled the big kid's stats and accomplishments which were impressive. As we walked to our spot, the Czar walked up to us to shake our hands and hug the women....here is where it happened.....the moment I have been dreading.....now I have to make nice even though I wanted to say something nasty....I didn't it. It wouldn't be right. You don't handle people like that. It is not the correct way to live.



And so.....I shook his hand, looked him in the eye, and did not smile. He tried to hug Tink who recoiled.

Then he went to dad who REFUSED to shake his hand. The guys on the team who were in front of us were thrilled. Sky High said that dad is his hero. It was a moment in which the Czar was snubbed in front of a large audience. He was not pleased. Not at all.

After the ceremony, which was nice, we headed to dinner, which was nicer. The kid was still in a foul mood, but he will be fine (more later on summer plans). He mentioned that he was out with the guys on Saturday night and Psycho text messaged the frosh pitcher who he demoted 44 times. That's right....44 times.....He was rude, belligerent, complimentary, and mean. The big lefty read some of the texts and the guys all agreed that the pitching coach may have been drunk and had no idea what he was doing. The frosh is keeping the texts in his phone should he need them at a later date.



What a weird and wacky season.....I honestly am trying to figure out why the Czar hated my kid so much...and then again, I don't care.



My son survived and thrived despite this man's hostile proclivities. With the season continuing, the team goes on a long road trip. The Czar decided rather than bringing Texas, he would bring the guy who is on the DL. Yep, rather than take a healthy guy, he chooses to bring a pitcher who cannot throw. Needless to say, neither guy was happy.

When I post again, I will share the summer news and how the kid's time on the mound is not over...not at all....in fact, it is just beginning.....

Peace!