This past weekend marked our first foray into the world of travel baseball. Incredikid has always shown a propensity for the game. It was my game, and because of that, I've tried not to push him towards the sport in which I had the most success. I've said "no" when asked if we could guest play on travel ball teams, told Incredikid I would not allow him to play travel anything...up until now. I caved, and it was the best weekend ever.
Incredikid has played AAU basketball, and while it's competitive, it's certainly not a crazy schedule. They play about as many games as we did in Rec-ball growing up, but they have shiny uniforms, better coaching, and better competition. They play locally, and get a bit more than they would playing true Rec. The result...they are way better than we were at that age. Are any of them going to the NBA because of it? Heck no, but they have fun, look cool, and think they are budding stars.
However, I had concerns about travel baseball.
First, I was worried about too many games. I had heard what I consider horror stories of kids playing 60+ baseball games a year. Not only does it violate my rule of play everything you want until you can't play it anymore (its impossible to play 60+ games and play anything else), but it's just a lot of baseball games. I can remember the great relief after the college baseball season ended (about 60 games in all) knowing I had some time off before summer-ball started. Just being a student, and not a student-athlete, was a refreshing experience even if only for a month. Baseball fatigue is a real thing, and it's great to rest arms (and knees for us catchers), and hangout by the Rec Pool on a well-earned break. For a kid to play 60 games...I just feel it's nuts, but if the kid truly enjoys it, then shoot, if he's not going to play anything else then more power to him (just protect his/her arm please).
Second, I was worried about being spread too thin. With winter baseball and basketball, Incredikid is going pretty close to 6 days a week. The funny thing is, after living it, the parents were the the only ones who got tired. For example, after 5 days of practice in a row (in one sport or the other), Incredikid asked for "extra-work" at the batting cage on Friday. This was his only day off last week, and he wanted to go hit? I dragged myself to go throw some batting practice after work wondering if I was losing it. Friday night, I walked in to see two uniforms neatly laid out on his bedroom floor ready to be packed in the car. So far so good, instead of playing on the iPad he was laying out his gear, something strange is going on here. On Sunday morning, when we had to leave the house at 6:30 am to get to the first baseball game (one of two that day), I wandered half asleep down the hall bummed to have to wake him up only to find him sitting in bed waiting for me. He was ready to get up, get dressed, and get rolling. Wait...this is the kid that will sleep till Noon if we would let him, and he's up at 6:00 a.m. on a Sunday? Who is this kid, and what have you done with Incredikid?
Third, I was worried playing too many games feeling like work. Playing in the minors was work. It doesn't sound like it, but playing 29 of 30 days, riding buses, eating on $15 per day, and staying in worse-than-Motel-6's was work. After my first season of work, I didn't really love the game anymore...it was a job. I don't want Incredikid to feel like any sport is a job. Sport is fun, and unless you ever get paid to do it, you play purely for joy. Sure, there are times when fun sports are work. I hated conditioning, with a passion, during my sports years, but the games always made it worthwhile. Is the preparation part is worth the fun, that's a question you should ask your kid. I have always thought this was the case with Incredikid, but I got my answer on Sunday night. Sunday night before bed, after six games, two round-trips to two cross-town venues, changing/eating in the car, and getting up before the roosters he looked at me and said, "that was the best weekend ever." He literally passed out asleep minutes later with a smile on his face...I knew then it wasn't work!
We will continue down this path of multi-sports as long as he loves it. Is it a sacrifice for Superdad and Wondermom? Yup. We were both exhausted when we got home from game 6 and took early evening naps. We're already bummed that have only six more years left with him at home, and I'm going to treasure every minute. Sharing a ride to and from sports, reminicing about a shot, pitch, or swing in the evening while he dreams of tomorrow is just about the best thing ever.
What about Incredikid after the weekend...was he too exhausted? Well, after we dropped on the couch Sunday, he changed and came bounding down the stairs to go outside and play an "epic" semi-dark touch football game with his buds (there was a heated instant replay discussion about whether a receiver's foot was on the curb or out for the game winner). So while he might have been whipped, based on the look on his face as he sprinted out the door, he was amazingly satisfied. That look, of pure satisfaction and joy, will keep me driving, cheering, and early-evening napping for as long as he wants.
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