’Tis The Season
In the name of all that is good……how did we get to December so fast? It is definitely noticeable that when your age number goes up the more quickly time sneaks past you.
As I am looking at the calendar of all the things going on with the holidays….. our annual Holiday training camp….the Holidays themselves…..another New Year’s…..and ,of course, baseball games throughout the month, we are 4 1/2 weeks away from being in 2026. That is just odd and brutal that time passes us so quickly that we don’t have the time to just sit, admire, reflect and breathe a sigh of relief for our blessings.
The ulterior is just always being in chaos and looking back thinking that I was so busy that I couldn’t enjoy life’s beauties!
Before I start to slip into a Hallmark Channel mind-set…….and for all the Mom’s who have that channel on 24/7 which includes my own wife, I think you might know what I mean……I must remind you of all the good that is coming your way and more specifically, how baseball will bring you all the emotions of life: pleasure, pain, elation and sadness.
Baseball is a sport that breaks your heart. It reminds me of my first girlfriend who I flew home from college to visit. On the plane ride there, I was excited…..on the plane ride back, I no longer had a girlfriend. Baseball treats you to the happiness that your son may encounter while succeeding in a game. But 4 innings later, your joy has turned to sorrow as your son’s infield has just committed 3 errors and the next hitter hit a bases clearing triple. Such is life….
The main point is that sometimes you have to really catch yourself and appreciate all the hard work you son puts in…. know that with baseball being a natural game of failure there will be moments when the game can be so cruel but it is part of life.
It is like the holiday season…at least for me….in that we look so forward to the season that we forget to appreciate what the season can mean for us.
My younger son’s senior season was not exactly how we hoped for it to turn out to be. His coach gave him a raw deal but it drove him to prove his HS coach wrong…..and he is a better person for it. His adversity through baseball has proven itself in that he has become a great husband and an even better father for dealing with defeats and coming out the other side with a great attitude.
All of our children face adversity and the best thing I feel we can do as a parent is to support them…give them the plus/negatives of their ultimate decision and then be there to guide them if they ask as opposed to forcing our own belief upon them. Believe me, all 3 of my kids have had to endure much more than I would want them to have to endure….but they always know I will be there for any and all support they needs. Our children need to make their own best decision for themselves without us as parent’s telling them what to do. Individually they all have said how important me being there for them is more important than making the decision for them.
Players might think it is nagging but it is pushing their right buttons to move to the side of becoming better……just like you do at home with your own children. Our kids are our love and joy in life and we want what is best…but guidance is what they need and we are there to show them the way.
From a baseball throwing standpoint……this is what I do for them in that letting them get a sense of what we want to accomplish for them on the mound…..and create repetitions for them over and over. I know the outcome already in each individual player but they are the one on the mound, or field, and they have to accomplish this for themselves but give guidance until they do on a consistent basis.
That is what life is about and though they grow old and move out, you are really setting them up for being good human beings in life. These are the moments we need to appreciate because it does wonders for ourselves but also for mankind.
Before I wrap up this little ‘present’…..I want to mention about our Holiday Training camp for our 13 and above age group as well as our 9-12 yo age group. Training begins Monday, December 22 and lasts to the end of the month. Go to throwzone.com for more information on signing up.
This is an amazing training transition leading into the new year where both HS, travel and rec leagues begin games that 1st full weekend of January. It will help condition your son’s body and arm plus allow them to ‘keep’ the strength that they amassed during the summer and fall seasons.
Have a blessed Merry Christmas and a very Happy Holidays to everyone. You can always feel free to reach out to me with any and all questions regarding whatever need you might have. My door and phone are always open!
Until next time……and next year,
Jim
Jim Wagner's ThrowZone Academy 