Just a few more days left until camp breaks

First, it was really great to find some email from people I did not know from the HSBBW about this blog. I also am happy that those websters whose sons play proball are sharing their experiences as well.

The reason I like to write about this is because while my son is following his dream, it is a very difficult path to follow, regardless of where you were drafted or how much money you received.

Always a healthy pitcher, after some 100 innings his last year in college he felt funky towards the end. It was strange because he never has experienced any type of discomfort, and I definetly believe that a pitcher who has pitched many years pain free (not talking sore here) knows his arm better than anyone. Before son signed he was flown to STL for a complete physical and a contrast MRI on his shoulder, arm and elbow. Some fraying, but nothing out of the ordinary. After spraining his ankle in ss, he didn't feel right so the doctor there gave him a shot and they sent him home (Jupiter) and closed him down. He had a great first spring training, passed low A and began his season in high A. Mid way through the summer, he began to feel the same discomfort (which wasn't his shoulder but more around the armpit area) and given another shot and another MRI, revealed tendinitous, bursitis, whatever. They flew him to STL, he had arthoscopic surgery, got a clean out of some fraying and good to go. Another good spring, he once again began in high A as they wanted to keep in in the warmer weather and sent to AA end of May. The same area was not feeling well again, sent him back to High A, then right before his last two starts of last year's season he shut himself down. The flew him to STL again, doc said he had no clue, he got a second opinion in NY. The only reason why he went there was because one of his agent's clients swore up and down that he was the best (Rivera who thought he might be done). It was determined that he had a rare condition, cortacoid impingement so they shaved the bone to allow room so the impingement would not cause bursitis, tendinitous again or whatever. Then another off season working with the cards head rehab trainer to get him ready for spring training. Sometimes I get discouraged reading about "all of his injuries" but the truth is, it was only just one thing that he had going on. I am proud of son because he was pretty persistant in making them understand he was not feeling well, and if not taken care of, could have resulted in tears. According to the doc in NY, his arm looks realitively healthy for someone who has been pitching since 8. So far so good, he is sore after pitching, but that is normal and he has learned that his arm is not going to perform like he wants it to every outing. Have no clue what the future really holds, but kudos to the Cards for doing everything they can to help him, and I don't think it is just because they spent money on him, but rather knowing he is a good kid who works very hard and does what he is supposed to and acts like an adult. And hots mid 90's. :)

There are a few other things that have occured that have made the road difficult, some of you know about, so depite comments made, it's not been a cupcake walk I can assure you. There is a dark side to this game, we don't mention much of it, but understand that there are many players that are not like many of ours sons, that's why I do beleive that college prepares them well for a lot that they may encounter later on. My player sowed some oats in college, but emerged a responsible adult, looking back, I think that happens to many, not just those who participate in sports.

Yesterday I got a text from his agent, that he watched son pitch and he was terrific. Son told me he did alright, but isn't this how some of them are, for mine, it could always be better. I do beleive that they do base a lot of their feelings on their stats that day. Son is a contact hitter, and he was happy the hits weren't hit hard. He didn't feel he had his best stuff. The relief guy brought in his run, but I reminded him it was HIS guy, not the relievers. :)

BTW, the pictures here were taken in AA last year, some nice fan took 300 shots of son his first start in San Antonio. We got a kick out of the at bats.

Just off the phone, on his way to AA on Sunday, first start is supposed to be 4/12 in Midland., TX.

As they say at Clemson at the end of a cheer, wooooooo hoooooo!

Season just around the corner

Camp breaks end of this week, and even though it's son's 3rd season, he has never left after camp to another destination. Even though he is confidant where he night be going, you don't find out until the last minute, maybe the day before you leave, he'll try to get home this week though, pick up some clothes for the colder weather and say goodbyem if he leaves Florida. If he leaves to where he should go, he's got the roommate situation all worked out, which is something he has always stressed about here, it's very expensive in south florida, and last year ended up living with daughter for a few months in Boynton, about 30 minutes away. That's not too bad, but if you get in at 3-4 am in the morning, that's tough. My son has had some bad roomie experiences, so he is happy he has that covered. Funny thing is the roommates that you begin with are usually not the ones you end with, as one leaves, another comes in, so you can't always pick who you want to live with. The Cards have an agreement with a complex close to the field in Springfield, furnished, they bring in all really nice stuff for the players, you know wide screen TV's and queen size beds. Those things make you feel "at home". His fiance will come to join him when they feel the time is right.
However, right now there are 7 starters on AA and only 5 needed, so anything is possible, that's why it's so difficult, you may be ready for teh next level, but there's a log jam.

For folks who don't know, if you do not make a full season roster, you remain in extended spring training. I also just found out that unless you are on the rehab roster, you are not paid, given room and meal money. Not sure if that is a team thing or milb wide.

The facts

Someone posted on another website that my son signed for over 3/4M $. FWIW, anyone can get that information posted on other sites, but I can assure that it wasn't for that amount. It was a nice amount, but all I can say is that a young adult really has very little deductions, and for 2 years (the check is divided equally in two payments) he had to pay Uncle Sam mega bucks, so the remaining amount is put away for a time that he will have to return to school (if he is unable to make it) and live off of, and some money to put away for one day if he really needs it.
He's been smart and understands that he needs to hold onto whatever he has. Because of injury he has been unable to work in any off season, so you go figure it out, it's a nice cushion but by no means made him rich. A good point was made, everyone gets paid the same in milb, and everyone eats the same food, and rides the same bus, those that have some things to say have no clue as to what they are talking about, it hasn't been an easy road.

And what does it matter. This is not about one player's easy path, just some enlightment that it IS not easy, even with a cushion. That's why it's so important unless you get some really serious money (yes for some that may be different amounts) to think though it carefully after HS. I'll give you my perspective (I ask son lots of questions he hates) and you can draw your own conclusions. It's not about trying to destroy any young mans desire to follow their dream, just how it is.

FWIW, Andrew Miller, the number one pick in 2006 was just sent back down to AAA. Now talk about not easy, a trade and then an up and down ride not able to find his control. They all struggle, it's just that some get more press about it than others.

Anyway enough with that stuff, the weather has been blah, and not sure that they will get in any games tomorrow (in Port St Lucie) which could push the tuesday start until wednesday.

This is the last week of spring training, by this time next week, Jupiter will be much less hectic.

Remembering special people you met through the game

Just wanted to take this time to stop and recognize some people that are no longer on this earth but who I had a special fondness for over the past few years with my association with the HSBBW.

One is Jeff Taylor, also known as JT, what a special guy, he never had a bad word to say about anyone and was everyone's players fan. JT always asked about my player on a regular basis during the season. His dad is a big Cardinal fan, so he got a kick out Dave getting drafted by his dad's favorite team. What a great dad and husband to have been taken so early.

The second is Nick Adenhart who died on April 9th of last year. Since Nick was a 2004, his name was well known to me for years as a parent of another 2004 HS graduate. I will never forget the day that I figured out who his stepdad was at the HSBBW. There were some posters saying some things about Nick's TJ operation, and I figured out it was someone close to him by his reply. We began a friendship from there and I have learned a lot from Duane, one of them to enjoy each day that you have with your children. I admire Duane and his family for what they have had to deal with and the upcoming anniversary of Nick's leaving us, makes me very sad. I hope that tehy are doing well.

Then there is Maryann Shappi, we didn't always hit it off, but as the years went by we became good milb baseball mom friends, only sharing some things of milb players that moms can share and understand. I do miss her.

Last to remember is Doug McMillan, without his advice and his knowledge in 2004 not sure if the path son had chosen would have worked out for him. He was so very helpful in explaining just how tough things can get.

Welcome

Welcome to my blog on life in the minor leagues and other assorted pertinent information you can ask regarding D1 college recruiting and the draft.

My information comes from my own personal experiences as a parent with some input with conversation with my player. I think it's important for many of those whose sons will follow in the same path to understand life in the minor league system. This is important in trying to help your player when deciding which path he might want to follow.

For those that know why I created my own blog instead of posting it on the HSBBW, there comes a time when you just got to say enough is enough from those that think that they know everything there is to know about baseball but they don't because they haven't been in that particular situation. I beleive that everyone brings something special to a discussion, but when it becomes personal you just got to do what you got to do.

I personally don't like posting things about my player, unless I think it is helpful, but I do realize there are many who do ask on an everyday, every week basis on how he is doing, so I will try to keep what anyone considers bragging to a minimum.

Other parents of players or former players, or players themselves please feel free to join in! Everyone is welcome, those of you who are not, you know who you are!