Well, I ain't gonna lie, this baseball season has been pretty.rough.on.us!
I want to write about it because it has been such a part of our lives this year, and there is a happy ending to the story- this blog is where I record "our stuff"- so here goes. Last year, Pax was on a local city league baseball team. He was the starting pitcher, and played every inning- either as pitcher or first base or third base. A couple of times a week we went down to the local ballpark and watched the game. These were mostly on weeknights, and it was a fun outing for the family. I also loved the fact that I didn't have to cook supper on game nights! Fast forward to this year. Our team had disbanded, and we were anxious to find a team for our little star! Don made a few calls and found a team in our new town that is a traveling team. Now, I was pretty worried about the whole "traveling team" thing. I had heard that those teams spent every weekend at motels away from home, and that the baseball team became your social life, etc...But, Don told me that our team never went far enough that we would need to spend the night, and there were lots of reasons why we thought that this team would be right for Pax! We still feel like this team is right for Pax, but LORD HAVE MERCY, we have had Blood, Sweat, and Tears to get to where we are today!
We began the season with the harsh realization that our boy was not going to get to play as much as we were used to. Don was totally prepared for this, but I can't say that I was. The truth was that he was going to have to EARN his spot on the field. We were in "a different league" now, and if Pax was going to succeed he would have to WORK HARD! So, off to practice he went. Once a week he had practice for a few hours on Tuesday night. Then on Wednesday night he would have private hitting lessons. Followed by private pitching lessons on Thursday nights. Don, being supportive, went to EVERY practice and lesson. I have to say that I was not supportive of his being supportive! After staying home with a toddler all day, I usually watched the clock until Don got home from work. It was so deflating to see him walk back out on the way to practice!
So, I became increasingly cranky. The game schedule was usually a Friday night game at 7:30 or 8:30 and two daytime games on Saturday, and then one or two games on Sunday. Not exactly a schedule that works for John Stephen in his stroller. I usually made it to one game in a tournament weekend. I had hoped that when we were playing in Memphis (most of the tournaments) that I could take John Stephen, and that we could run around at Target and the Mall when he got tired of the ballpark. That just wasn't realistic, and Sydney didn't want to be stuck at the ballpark every weekend either! And, many weekends were bitterly cold and wet! So then, I was stuck at home with John Stephen and Sydney ALL DAMN WEEKEND, EVERY DAMN WEEKEND! Mama wasn't happy! And, the rest of the family wasn't happy either. Despite all of the hard work, Pax was still sitting on the bench.
Paxton was so strong, but it was breaking our hearts to see how hard he was trying, and not getting to play very much. He was very upset that he wasn't seeing results! Don's mood was directly related to how well the game went. There were some depressing weekends. This was not the lifestyle I wanted for our family! But, a couple of weeks ago, our team had run out of pitchers in the championship game of a tournament. They really didn't have much choice but to let Pax pitch. This is where his talent and interest is, so it was a BIG deal for him! Of course, we were soooo nervous as he stepped up on the mound. Anyway, he was INCREDIBLE! Striking people out left and right! The coaches were surprised, I think, to see how well he could throw! We all felt that this was the breakthrough we had been waiting for!
And, we were right, he pitched all of the innings he is allowed to pitch last weekend, and did great- AGAIN! Looks like we will wrap up the last two tournaments of the season getting to pitch! It was such a victory for Pax to see the fruits of his labors, finally! Of course, this has been a wonderful lesson for Pax (and me) about persistence and hard work. And, despite my bad attitude, no one has been prouder than me to see him finally make it! I'll be honest and tell you that I am still not sure if the "traveling team" lifestyle is for me. I want to go to the lake for the weekend, have friends over to cook out, plant a garden, and spend time with my husband on the weekends! I didn't grow up in a sporty family, so this is totally foreign to me! And, I just don't have the slightest idea what to wear to the ballfield when it is 100 degrees outside! But, this is a small town in the south, and most teenage boys play sports constantly. It is a wholesome family entertainment that keeps them occupied and out of trouble. And, Paxton is a pretty good pitcher- I hate to think that we would limit his progress by making him play on a less competitive team. So, I guess I am trying to find a way to be excited about travelling baseball. It looks like this is what we will do until Pax can play on the high school team. And, now that we have had the "breakthrough moment", I am optimistic that Don will not have to attend every practice and in the future. And, maybe we can miss a tournament here and there. I know Pax is greatful for all that Don has done for him this season. He has dedicated every moment of free time to helping Pax get better, and he has sat in the rain, wind, and scorching heat for every. single. game. By the end of the season the team will have played about 60 games! I know he takes partial ownership of Paxton's accomplishments this season. And he should! We all do, in fact! You could say we have all taken one for the team!
So, I am glad to put this little chapter behind us, and move on to the next one...Football practice started today:)! The good news...Field down the street from my house, games on Tuesday nights, Don can't go to every practice unless he wants to quit his job! Toodle loo! If you are still reading, you are a loyal friend!!
