There are moments in every parents' life when all you do is wonder. If I did this, will they do that? Such is the question that I had burning for many of my son's early years. I'm not a pushy parent, at least I don't think I am. As a child I was enamored with the game of baseball. I learned percentages by calculating batting averages. I learned distances based on 90 feet. And I learned teamwork and discipline.
All of these things came naturally, because I was so invested in the game. I also didn't have much choice. As all parents will say, we Had to go outside. No question about it, I had actual people my age who would meet at a park and play a game of baseball. You just don't hear about that these days. So with all of the distractions around, how can a father's love of baseball compete?
All of these things came naturally, because I was so invested in the game. I also didn't have much choice. As all parents will say, we Had to go outside. No question about it, I had actual people my age who would meet at a park and play a game of baseball. You just don't hear about that these days. So with all of the distractions around, how can a father's love of baseball compete?
I never thought that a standard game of catch would hold as much meaning as it does. There's a scene in "Field of Dreams" when Kevin Costner's character asks his dad "Can we have a catch? I understood the reason for the emotion the first time I saw it. But, now I am beginning to understand it even more. I never hesitated playing catch with my dad. It was me who picked up his glove and handed it to him and said "let's go outside!"
The desire wasn't there to play the game, so why push someone without passion? I hoped that maturity and a desire to connect would ultimately win out, and it seems to have. For the first time in 9 1/2 years, I am playing catch with my son. And I am doing it because he wants to.
Some of you may think I am crazy. Letting him go all this time. We've gone to games. Watched a few on tv. I mean heck, the kid has been around for 3 World Series titles by the Giants. But the attention to the details of the game are either interesting or they aren't. And now that he is finally interested, we will go "all in" on learning. No matter how long this lasts, I will always be ready with my glove and ball for my kid and I to play catch.
Some of you may think I am crazy. Letting him go all this time. We've gone to games. Watched a few on tv. I mean heck, the kid has been around for 3 World Series titles by the Giants. But the attention to the details of the game are either interesting or they aren't. And now that he is finally interested, we will go "all in" on learning. No matter how long this lasts, I will always be ready with my glove and ball for my kid and I to play catch.