The End.

[sbparent]

The End

Webster’s defines this as, “a point that marks the extent of something; the point where something ceases to exist.”  And so on Saturday, the end happened.

We all will face the end at some time.  It’s like an old coach told me once; there are two types of coaches; those that have been fired and those that have not been fired yet.  We all know it is going to happen, and even thought you can kind of plan for it or know approximately when it will happen….well it still is not easy.  So as quietly as it started in Lake Jackson, Texas on a mosquito infested field in May, 2001, it ended in Beaumont, Texas on a hot Saturday in July; my daughter walked off the field for the last time, ending her travel ball playing career.

I know we were not the only ones who crossed this bridge in life on Saturday.  As I watched the last out made I noticed nothing out of the ordinary.  After the game there was the quick speech by the coach, a few hugs and handshakes and of course lots of pictures.  Then on the drive home, I saw in the rear view mirror the tears begin to flow.  She knew it was coming, she knew the end was near but I don’t think that made it any easier.  The end had happened.

For the past 10 years, summer has meant one thing in our life; softball. If you are serious about travel softball then you can probably relate.  And I guess I should not limit this to just the summer.  As best as I can remember, it runs the fall and winter and spring as well.  I would love to know how many miles I have traveled over the past decade.  From freezing cold to 100+ degrees to lots and lots of rain and mud.  Butane heaters at a ballpark; why didn’t I think of that?  SPF 50 sun screen is my friend. We have gone from carrying the kids to the car at 5 am in their PJs to be at the ballpark by 7:00 am to letting them drive to a tournament in their own car (still hard to grasp that).  We have made the annual pilgrimage to Colorado so many times I can drive around Denver without a map.  Thank goodness for hotel points, so I could save them up and take a trip with the family; to another softball tournament.  Remember those long knee savers?  Those are so old school now.  Wow, it is amazing that I have been at this long enough to say something is old school.  I guess they were replaced with $10 Under Armor socks.  A new bat for Christmas was almost a given. Thankful composite bats came around late in her career otherwise my bat purchase expenditures would have doubled.  And I cannot forget those early years of coaching. Calling parents to give travel directions, game times and hotel information (strange to hear a middle aged man say this but I sure wise text messaging would have been around then).  And how could I not say something about umpires.  Even they point at my daughter and say I remember when….  And I will admit it now, for the most part, they are pretty good folks.  ASA, USFA, IFA, AFA, NSFA, USSSA; yea they all are softball related but each means something just a little different.  35 feet, 37.5 feet, 40 feet and now 43 feet, its only 8 feet but what a difference.  Don’t forget the blisters on the hands after raking the field and please don’t mention this to the EPA but yes I have used gasoline to burn water off a rain soaked field.

Thankfully we still have the college ball chapter to go so there are still more games and sunburns in my future.  But as I look back over the past decade I think I can sum things up by borrowing a quote from Lou Gehrig in his Farewell speech; “Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.” It’s been a great ride!!!

[catch22]

Sounds like a great ride and something we are looking forward to.  We are just starting down this road with our oldest. 

Best of luck throughtout the college years!

[tnt_mom]

Good luck in the College years.  Your post brought back many memories and almost brought tears to my eyes because it has made me realize my DD last year is next year.    :'(

[Guest bigcat]

Great post SBParent. My daughter started at 10u in 2001 also. I had some of those thaughts As well. Im glad it ended at College street. Thats where my daughter tried out for the Blast 10u. Boy , did we not know what we were getting into. It has been a fun ride. My daughter too, will move on to the next level. We are looking forward to that. I saw another post on the select site, about 12u teams starting. That brings back memories also. Some of those parents should contact some of us LOL, We been there done that.

[JMJ3rd]

Great post. Thanks for sharing your memories. We are on that road as I type. We did the propane last year, the UA socks this year, and along with the sunscreen is the "misting fan" for rehab in the dugout. I'm looking forward to the memories we will make. God's favor to you at the next level!