DD played SB from 1st grade to 8th and yesterday was her last game, probably ever. A few weeks ago she decided to quit softball at the end of the summer season. I know the TB life was getting hard on her as she was missing out on a lot of the fun a 14 y/o should be having. I think the final nail in the coffin was having to miss Warped Tour with her non-SB friends this summer because of a tournament. Me and DW support her decision and it's good to know she's made the decision to put her happiness first. DD would like to join the drama club in HS which I'm thrilled over, having graced the stage many times, myself.
I've felt the sting before when LL season ended but I always knew she'd be coming back in the spring. This time it really hurts, but I suppose that's just me being selfish. I can't help but look back at how I've handled myself on both sides of the fence in the past and wonder if I should have done things differently. Ultimately, my heart was always in it 100%, but there were times I should have just sat back and enjoyed the game instead of getting wrapped up in petty BS.
DD was never "great," and I was always pretty realistic when assessing her skills, but she was good and sometimes made a "great" play or had some great at-bats. She's big and powerful which made her appear a little awkward at times but she had the potential to be a monster on the field and her instructor had high hopes for her. Like most SB parents, I had hoped to see her go yard just once but it never happened. There was a tournament recently where she crushed two hits over the CF's head and it would have went over the fence if one had been there.
So, I say to everyone who's helped me and DD in our SB journey on DFP, especially Cannonball, thank you so much for being there and listening to my over-passionate rants and BS. Thank you to the people who tried to give me good advice when I was sure my way was better, even though it wasn't. And to everyone else, and especially to those who are just starting this journey, take a deep breath and don't take a single minute watching your kid on the field for granted. And get involved, but don't get under the kid's skin. Volunteer. Help at LL functions. Coach a 6U team. You'll feel great, trust me. But don't become "that" parent.
So, unless DD decides to get back into it in the spring, play ball!
I've felt the sting before when LL season ended but I always knew she'd be coming back in the spring. This time it really hurts, but I suppose that's just me being selfish. I can't help but look back at how I've handled myself on both sides of the fence in the past and wonder if I should have done things differently. Ultimately, my heart was always in it 100%, but there were times I should have just sat back and enjoyed the game instead of getting wrapped up in petty BS.
DD was never "great," and I was always pretty realistic when assessing her skills, but she was good and sometimes made a "great" play or had some great at-bats. She's big and powerful which made her appear a little awkward at times but she had the potential to be a monster on the field and her instructor had high hopes for her. Like most SB parents, I had hoped to see her go yard just once but it never happened. There was a tournament recently where she crushed two hits over the CF's head and it would have went over the fence if one had been there.
So, I say to everyone who's helped me and DD in our SB journey on DFP, especially Cannonball, thank you so much for being there and listening to my over-passionate rants and BS. Thank you to the people who tried to give me good advice when I was sure my way was better, even though it wasn't. And to everyone else, and especially to those who are just starting this journey, take a deep breath and don't take a single minute watching your kid on the field for granted. And get involved, but don't get under the kid's skin. Volunteer. Help at LL functions. Coach a 6U team. You'll feel great, trust me. But don't become "that" parent.
So, unless DD decides to get back into it in the spring, play ball!