Learning about your daughter

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I guess I'm a poor parent, because I should probably know my dd inside and out after helping my remarkable wife raise this girl for 16 plus years, but nearly everytime I watch my dd on the field, I learn more about her mental make-up, her determination and competitive drive, and just plain who she is.

She was pitching for her new travel ball team this past weekend at an indoor tournament and ended up being in the circle a big majority of the innings against what appeared to be some pretty talented teams. On the last game of the weekend, after pitching all but an inning or two of the 3 previous games, she got the start in an elimination game that started at 1:20 a.m. Overall, she gave up 1 hit and 1 run, and in the bottom of the last inning she had 5 minutes to get 3 outs to get her team the win. She was 1 strike away from getting the third out against the other team's clean-up hitter when the horn blew signaling the end of the game.

I guess I'm just being a sappy dad, but watching players rise to the occasion when the going gets tough is what makes sports such an amazing experience. And to watch your dd do that is even more amazing. There are certainly many more things she does off the field that are more important - school, church, family, etc., but rarely does a parent get to watch a child exhibit grace under pressure in a public setting. Goodness, but I love watching her play.

 

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That last line....."I love watching her play" . Probably the best thing you could say to or about her. I've already learned to sit down & shut up as a dad and watch my girl (who's only 13) take on the mental and physical challenges of travel ball. It is a blast to watch her grow, just wish she wasn't growing up so fast.....breaks my heart to think about the future, but its also very, very exciting. How many dads out there will (or already have) shed a tear when your dd plays her last h.s game? I know I will...... because I too love to watch her play!

 

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Pretty sure this means you're a good parent, Philbob! Larry, yeah the last HS game and senior day were both tough, but this past year when mine played her last college game, nothing was harder than that for her or me ... knew that was it forever ... but lots of great memories though, and thankfully we are still coaching together. Dang it ... still brings a tear back to the eyes ...

 

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Pretty sure this means you're a good parent, Philbob! Larry, yeah the last HS game and senior day were both tough, but this past year when mine played her last college game, nothing was harder than that for her or me ... knew that was it forever ... but lots of great memories though, and thankfully we are still coaching together. Dang it ... still brings a tear back to the eyes ...

This thread is depressing! Lol..... I can't imagine what that must of felt like knowing that was it? At least she's coaching with you..... special bond there as well. I hope everyone can enjoy watching there dd play and have great memories...... still damn depressing though!

 

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There is still hope for us all; After watching my daughter play her last game in college, I was left thinking "Now what do I do?" Soon after that, Louuuuuise says that she's thinking about playing co-ed slow-pitch in the summer. Watching my kid play anything (except s#cc*r ) - no matter how old she is - is still appealing to me.

Our Spectating Days may not be over...

 

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I was gonna put up s.occer video but I was afraid of getting hate mail.

 

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Sniper will get ya for s.occer video! Lol

 

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It's not over!!! I've been playing in a summer league for 18 and over since I finished college and I'm 40 now. There's always a place to play.

*By the way, I am president of the league and I am always looking for new players or teams. Sorry.....I felt like Coop with that shameless plug!!

 

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Klump ... slowpitch or fastpitch?? She says she will never play slowpitch again, though I tell her she will! If you're talking fastpitch though and it's something during the week, she might be interested.

 

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It's called modified fastpitch. It has all the same ASA rules as fastpitch except the pitchers can only throw sling shot. Some can throw pretty fast and other throw slower but it it NOT slow pitch. I'd say the pitching ranges from 35-50 mph. It is on Monday's and Wednesday's from July-August in Clinton, Ohio. It's a great time and you'd be surprised at the level of play. We have former professional and college players on some of the teams.

 

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Thanks, Julie ... sent the info on to my daughter and will let you know if she has any interest ...

 

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She has only begun, grasshopper... there is something about fastpitch that must live inside these kids after their playing days are finished. Mine still amazes us, and she has been out of the game going on 4 years.

 

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There's other things they will take on that you will go and love watching them do long after softball too. Ours is doing her 4th year of coed intramural ice hockey at OSU and we still go to watch her at 1;00 am. And love it.......

 

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the best part of being a dad of a DD is to be able to do just that now, thanks to school ball. Regardless of what "I thought" my personal opinion was of Middle School softball and basketball, I could see the teachings of not only my ways, but all of those that have instructed her at camps, at home, and in other games come to fruition. It's been one my most enjoyable events on a regular basis to not be knotted up internally on a constant basis. Coaching doesn't allow you to be a dad, for many are watching for Daddy ball and I'm the furthest from that, proof comes with tears. With school sports I've been able to enjoy counltess bags of seeds, many of which that I lazily spit on my shirt and pants out of "sheer could care less emotions", and get to be fan of a person that is maturing, growing, and leading on a team where she may not have ever before. Strength, courage, strong communications, and many other attributes come out and I get to scope them out as her dad and don't have to do anything but smile with honor and humble feelings. For that...I thank middle school ball. For all the other issues... that's for a different thread. My DD has taught me and shown me that she too will be successful beyond school ball, beyond her forthcoming collegiate education, and will be a solid woman. For that, she has taught me a lesson that all would hope to come true. I've reflected upon this thread for a bit and just now replying for it is an awesome thought process to put on paper and never fully communicated with our limited language. I'm sure many feel this lucky!