I’m writing this newsletter to you with a very busy September agenda on the docket. Where do I begin?
At this point, everyone is back in school unless you go to a quarter-system college like the UCs or Oregon. It’s an important time as families get back to their school system schedule, football practices are in full swing, and baseball is starting to gear up for a busy Fall schedule.
Growing up, “September” was a huge hit record by Earth, Wind & Fire. The title above is the song’s opening lyrics, and for the most part, it talks about a love found in September while love was chasing the clouds away, hearts were ringing, and the stars stole the night away!
(A little fun game here: If you can say the 3 lines to the chorus right after the words “Hey, Hey, Hey,” email it to me, and I’ll get a free Throwzone hat or shirt to you for playing along. But you have to be one of the first 3 people to send it to me, and spelling is important, before the offer goes away.)
Also, September is time for our annual Elite Pitchers Boot Camp that Throwzone hosts, carried out by Coach Ron Wolforth and the entire Texas Baseball Ranch team. The camp begins on Friday, September 22, and continues until Sunday, September 24. A few spots are still available, and we have a special offer if you plan to attend!! Click this link for information on the camp: https://throwzone.com/2023-elite-pitchers-boot-camp/.
Also, we remember the worst tragedy to hit United States soil: the September 11th attack on America and the loss of over 3,000 lives and the Twin Towers. The date 9/11 will always be remembered for the lives lost as well as the bravery of firefighters, police, and everyday citizens who gave their lives to help their fellow man.
I like to watch the 9/11 documentaries every year as a reminder of where I was when this unfolded. At that time, I was driving a delivery truck for Frito-Lay when I heard on the old Mark and Brian Show up-to-the-minute reports of what was happening. Sadly, my boss scolded me for not focusing on my job, but no one was doing much; we all were numb. At every store I went into, I watched the television broadcasts from the news outlets. My manager came up to me the next day and apologized profusely, as he had no idea what had happened. I was relieved he did, but about a month later, I left the job because of how he treated me on that infamous day in our country’s history.
For sports fans, September is a big month for the MLB playoff races, plus the start of the NFL season, fantasy leagues, and college football. It’s a wonderful month for sports fans, and it all happens in September.
It’s also an important time in a baseball player’s continual training and development. September is a time to get our bodies in shape for Rec or travel leagues (which also start in the fall). Typically, freshman tryouts are happening in September to see who our next varsity “superstars” are, and showcases begin for next year’s possible draft boards.
As you know, September is the beginning of the new school year and all the events and activities that will take us into next summer. It’s wonderful to think that the holidays will soon be knocking on our door, and the weather will slowly change from extreme heat to warmer days and, hopefully, a cooling trend that will take us to springtime.
But September is a time for a new start in life with old and new friends. It’s a new school year when last year’s freshmen become upperclassmen, and many are less than a year from beginning college. I so clearly remember writing my September newsletter in 2007 and announcing to the Throwzone world that I’d become a father to my first little girl. Multiple clients told me how touching it was for me to share the entire story of how our little Lauren came into this world.
That little infant, Lauren, is now a junior in high school and part of the Class of 2025. It still amazes me that God brought me a little girl after I’d already had two sons who were then my world. Lauren taught me things as a father and as a human that I would have never been able to love and learn about women, and, by His grace, allowed me to become a better Dad and Daddy (my sons call me Dad, but Lauren calls me Daddy, and it just brightens my day when she texts me, “I love you, Daddy!!”).
The bottom line is that many important things in our lives seem to start with September in mind. And now, I ask you, “Do you remember…the 21st night of September?” I do, and I hope September takes on a new meaning for you at this time in our lives.
A chance to start anew, a time to begin new challenges, and a time to remember the important things in life! I pray that September turns out to be the best month ever for you!!
Until next time…
Jim
P.S. Classes are filling up for the fall season, so call us today to get your son on the schedule for the week!!
Jim Wagner's ThrowZone Academy 