I was standing in my spot as the third base coach for my youngest sons team for Little League while my youngest was batting. He had two strikes on him and he launched one into right field and he took off running, he hesitated a bit since the umpire didn't call it fair or foul right away, but he heard me yell run and he took off. He was close to third base when the right fielder got the ball to throw it to the pitcher, so I sent him home for another inside the park homerun for him as his teammates and parents were cheering him on.
How did I feel at that moment? I was very happy for him and proud that he got a big hit off a kid, not being afraid and waiting for coach pitching. I also got a bit sad, as I saw the number 10 moving on the back on his uniform as he pumped his arms back and forth on his way to touch the plate, it hit me that this will all before over soon. I mean I have a few more years where I can help out with him and his team in the capacity, but one day I'll have to be in the stands, no longer on the field and no longer in the dugout.
The same thing that happened with my older son, I helped coach his teams for a few years before I transitioned to helping my younger son. The feeling remained, I was very sad to have to not be on the staff with my older son, but I knew that I had to move on so he could grow and he has.
My older son has become a very solid baseball player. He can play all positions, his best ones are 1st base and catcher. Thinking back on how he was when he started his journey into this great game and to seeing how he is now is nothing short of amazing. I wish that he could see what I see and feel how proud I am of him and how much I enjoy watching him play. He is a very smart ball player and is understanding a lot more. You should see him gun out would be base runners and how consistent he is at the plate.
My younger son is also a very good player, he plays all the positions, his bests are Third base, Short stop and Pitcher. He is a bit fearless, he tells me that he is not afraid to hit with 2 strikes and he just knows he is the closer for his team. He is catching really well too, I have no doubt that when we move up divisions that he will follow in his big brothers footsteps and he will gun those would be base runners out as well. His hitting is off the charts right now, he has about 5 inside the park home runs and is very consistent with hitting off of the kids who pitch, no waiting around for coach pitching.
I know I have a few more years with him in the dugout and I will enjoy them and enjoy helping not only him but his teammates. I will try to push those thoughts of the end nearing away and enjoy the ride as we go on it. But I am grateful of the time that I have had and will continue to have on the field with my boys, it will be over one day, but not anytime soon, so let's continue to play ball.
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