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!