Parent’s Meeting

(#100)

I know we were coaching them when they were 19 or 20 years old and “daddy” had coached him since potty training, but we can do it.

I promise.

I always enjoyed the pre-season parent’s meeting.

D.M. Howie told me this one time, “Do what I do. When I would see “that” parent heading my way, I just started acting crazy. They would usually just turn around and go sit down; after they dropped off the Gatorade to Junior in the dugout.”

Here’s one of my daddy talks.

“Lots of dads in this room have worked hard to produce these players. I what to thank you for your important contribution, especially for the “y” chromosome because if it was an “x” chromosome, your son would would be playing girls softball. But this has nothing to do with your hard work through the years. That’s over. We’ll take it from here. Take the spring off and relax. Focus on the team. Just sit down and enjoy the game. No more calling pitches for your kid. Please do not tell him to “keep his back elbow up.” Let us coach your kids. Loosen the chain. Park the helicopter. Take a couple of valiums. Let them accomplish something on their own. You will not be present on their honeymoons. Let them be themselves. They’ll love you for it and still call you dad.

And remember when they signed a letter of intent with the SEC school in the 8th grade?

You forgot to read the fine print. That’s why they’re playing here.”

Get out to the park and enjoy some games… and ease up on the bragging, just a little bit. Baseball has it’s ups-and-downs and it’s a long season.