Out in the Field

"In a lily pond I lay
All upon a summer's day
Then I chased a dragonfly
All across an ancient sky ...."

(Vashti Bunyan)

Spent over two hours at Churchich Park working on baseball skills with the boys yesterday. I pitched some BP, practiced power position for throwing, and shagged fly balls and grounders at them. They were all in. I had to get pretty firm with them to get them to stop when it was time to go. 

A few weeks ago, they had a game wherein Will just could not get his bat on a pitch. It's coach pitch, which means each batter gets around 10 pitches. If he's unable to hit any, then he has to hit one off the tee. Will had to use the tee all three at bats. He was crushed. His swings just got weaker and more tentative each time up. Max was able to hit a pitch time, but his swing, too, was ugly and weak. They were both moving the bat tentatively, just hoping to intercept the ball, rather than swinging away.

So the following Tuesday, I pulled out an older, heavier bat, and started throwing BP. I wasn't going to push, but both boys were invested in improving. I've also never played a lick of baseball myself, so I wasn't sure if anything I could do would help much. Thankfully, the boys' work ethic and dad's dogged, if inexpert, instruction paid off. Max is now turning on pitches and pulling major rips up the third base line, and Will is finally letting the bat head fly and letting his quick hands do the work. I bought them a new bat ( and myself a cheap glove in self defense), and they are all in. When I pick them up now, it's, "Hey dad, can we hit right when we get there, I mean right away?" They're now excited to get up to bat, and they both had multiple good knocks in their last two games. Nothing breeds enthusiasm like a little success.

Here's the thing: it's just sports. I don't care if they end up playing or liking them, though I do think team activities are good for kids, and physical play is a necessity one way or the other. Ultimately, though, I don't care if they want to be baseball players, gymnasts, concert pianists, ballerinas or hairdressers. Whatever makes them happy.  The takeaway from the last three weeks, and what I find so satisfying as a father, is the persistence my sons showed in improving their skill and performance at a given activity. It's certainly more fun that my sons are dialed in to something that I think is fun as well, but that developing work ethic is going to serve them no matter what they decide to pursue.

much peace,

tjb