Travel Baseball-The Elation, The Intensity, and The Disappointment.

What a weekend of travel baseball around the Country. The elation, the intensity, and the Disappointment. All these feelings were felt and witnessed throughout the weekend at The Mother’s Day Classic and all ballparks across America.
Why do parents/players/coaches participate in travel Baseball? It is because of all these feelings. Imagine a nine-year old player getting the last out of an excellent 1-run championship game. Then laying there in tears face down, pounding his hand into the ground. We saw that this weekend. I think we all felt for that kid, while also appreciating the happiness of the winners. These kids know what is at stake and they do not want to disappoint their parents, teammates, and coaches.
It does not stop at nine-years old parents, so get used to it. Baseball is a humbling game, and contrary to what the great Jimmy Dugan once said, there is crying in baseball.  Grown men in MLB and college cry with the disappointment of losing. I watched my son get the last out with the tying run on third and winning run on first. It was one of the best championship games I have seen in a long time. I was frustrated with his mini slump in his final two games. What was I going to say to him about his lack of hitting? I think at that time he just needed a hug… we can work on hitting later.
You take the good with the bad folks. That is why we love this game so much. The bitterness of defeat drives these kids. It is character building. It makes the feeling of winning that much better. Congratulations to all the winners this weekend that were able to experience the elation of victory for all their hard work!